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PROBA2 is an ESA micro-satellite that was launched on November 2, 2009. It carries an on-board camera to image the Sun in the Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV). The images obtained with this SWAP-instrument show the solar corona at 1 million degree, with a cadence of 1 image per 1-2 minutes, and a field of view (FOV) of minimum 1.7 solar diameters. More information on this imager is available at the SWAP-webpage.

Even when a solar cycle is close to its maximum, it may happen from time to time there are periods with low solar activity. This is especially true when the maximum is predicted to be already low to medium, as is the case for ongoing solar cycle 24.
Space weather forecasters can issue an alert when solar activity is extremely low. This "all quiet alert" is a message sent when quiet space weather conditions are expected for the next 48 hours or until further notice. This implies that: