Sunspot activity hits 1,000-year high

[Minstrel Boy]

Something to consider when we read stories about the Earth's weakening magnetic field. Getting hit by monster flares takes its toll.


Sunspot activity hits 1,000-year high

The Sun is burning brighter than at any time over the past 1,150 years, according to a study by a professor at a Swiss university.

Professor Sami Solanki said this could be compounding the effects of greenhouse gases and contributing to global warming.

"We have to acknowledge that the Sun is in a changed state. It is brighter than it was a few hundred years ago, and this brightening started relatively recently – in the last 100 to 150 years. We expect it to have an impact on global warming," he told swissinfo.

...

Average global temperatures have increased by about 0.2 degrees Celsius over the past 20 years, and are widely believed to be responsible for new extremes in weather patterns across the world.

According to scientists, the Sun’s radiance has changed little during this period. But looking back over 1,150 years, Solanki found the Sun had never been as bright as in the past 60 years.

http://nzz.ch/2004/07/12/english/page-synd5080155.html

And lookee what's coming into view. That monster sunspot should be in position to hammer us in a few days:

[El Supremo]

1. Bad Science

And it looks like Cheney's snarl.

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Ooh, Baby!

Now if'n that ain't one fine lookin' area of increased solar photospheric activity!

Time to add another layer of tinfoil to my hat, my computer, and to Fred, the sentient toaster oven from Zeta Reticuli.

--bkl

[xray s]

3. Keep updated here

http://www.spaceweather.com/

[patricia92243]

4. So does this mean that humans have had no effect on global warming?

[Minstrel Boy]

5. Not at all.

It means the impact of unnatural global warming is compounded by natural elements beyond our control. Which should make us even more anxious to cut back on our contribution.

[quaoar]

6. It is quite apparent

That God is angry with the United States for putting Bush in charge.

If we don't get rid of Bush, God is going to incinerate the planet.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. That God is angry with the United States for putting Bush in charge.

That God is angry with the United States for putting Bush in charge.

If we don't get rid of Bush, God is going to incinerate the planet.<<

Uhhhhh the united states didn't put bush in charge.... The supremes did.

Flooding like hell in N.J.... Huge dust storm in Phoenix.... tornadoes like I have never seen.... drought in the west and a shortage of water.... uncontrollable fires in California and Florida.... yes... God is happy with king george.... I forgot the other flooding that is going on in the middle central states.... makes one wonder....

[daleo]

7. Old Sol heard people complaining about the Dimson

He misunderstood, and thought they were talking about him, so he turned it up a notch. Just one more calamity that can be traced to Bush.