ИСТИНА

We will present an investigation of the most powerful solar, heliospheric and magnetospheric disturbances. The objective was to extract detailed information about the sunspot distribution and their temporal evolution before and during extreme events, using historical information in combination with present-day understanding of solar extreme event development. Together with an already existing empirical data base now the time period from 1749-present (or 23.5 solar cycles) is covered. Based on these improved statistics (data base enlarged by factor 2) we are allowed to determine the significant characteristics of extreme solar events. The goal of this work is a better understanding of the extreme solar events and their follow-ups, to give a more qualified answer on the likeness of extreme events in general and their relation to the phase of the solar cycle in specific. Keeping in mind the occasional costly consequences of severe solar eruptions on the Earth this long-term study of characteristic sunspot patterns will also help in the theoretical analysis and maybe even allow prediction or estimation of the occurrence probability of such events.