After two-plus years of few sunspots, even fewer solar flares, and a generally eerie calm, the sun is finally showing signs of life.
“I think solar minimum is behind us,” says sunspot forecaster David Hathaway of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
His statement is prompted by an October flurry of sunspots. “Last month we counted five sunspot groups,” he says. That may not sound like much, but in a year with record-low numbers of sunspots and long stretches of utter spotlessness, five is significant. “This represents a real increase in solar activity.”
Even more significant is the fact that four of the five sunspot groups belonged to Solar Cycle 24, the long-awaited next installment of the sun’s 11-year solar cycle. “October was the first time we’ve seen sunspots from new Solar Cycle 24 outnumbering spots from old Solar Cycle 23. It’s a good sign that the new cycle is taking off…”
Those who were blaming climate change on decreasing sunspots can, of course, switch over to blaming increasing numbers of sunspots for the same phenomenon.
Let’s see …
We had little or no sunspots for what… eight years?
And because a Democrat was elected President they are coming back?
“October was the first time we’ve seen sunspots from new Solar Cycle 24 outnumbering spots from old Solar Cycle 23.”
How can they tell which cycle a spot is from?
Is the Sun experiencing global warming? Does that count?
#7 – dusan maletic,
This may be the kind of article you seek. I’m not willing to buy it personally. I’m sure you know about Google Scholar and probably many better search engines if you want to find more.
Comparative Planetary Climatology
As I’ve stated, I have read at least 4 peer reviewed articles that include astrophysics considerations and state that of our current warming only 5-15% can be accounted for by the solar maximum.
If you purchase the article above, please post a small chunk of the conclusion. I’d be curious to read what they conclude as well.
Great…. The global warming BS. Look here’s the statement in the article.
“says sunspot forecaster” Okay, weather it’s sunspot forecasters or local and global weather forecasters. Sorry but the science all these guys are stuck with is about as sturdy as jello. Pollution is bad, Global Warming is a lie.
#19 – Block/ignore? Then no one would read what most of the editors post.
#26 – Nat King Troll,
When you go to a party, do you make it a point to go out of your way to insult the hosts?
Lets hope this doesn’t happen during an earth magnetic pole reversal, otherwise we will all have to wear aluminum clothing for about 150 years.
Gad People,
All this talk of sunspots and not one mention of what it really means: Better ionization of the ionosphere. To a radio amateur that means better long distance communications and higher frequency ham bands that are open late into the evening, if not all night.
Yea, I know; who cares now that there is Skype? But high speed Internet isn’t available on Minerva Reef or Clipperton Island!
The maximaum useable frequency goes way up with lots of sunspots. You have to be a long time radio ham to understand.
HQH
actually, Global warming is caused by the Norse god “skippy” who goes around stealing barbie dolls and also puts turtles on their backs. Skippy is mean so he purposely disassembles Reeses peanut Butter cups and smashes skittle until they cry.