Topband: Solar winds and topband openings

[N7DF]

The recent, unusual propagation conditions on 160 seem to have a direct correlation to the unusually weak “wind from the sun” 
 
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/23sep_solarwind.htm
 
 During the peaks of northern North American to Europe openings the auroral torus was nearly non-existent as was visible on this site.
 
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/pmap/AnimateN.html
 
Studying the various charts and displays gives an interesting look at the sun’s influence on earth conditions
 
This site has a convenient speedometer type display of the current solar wind:
 
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/
 
Maybe, by looking at the information on these sites during the 160 meter band openings we can get some sort of handle on what is going on.