Posted on 12/13/2013 6:44:59 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
 This still from a video taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the Aug. 8, 2011 solar flare as it appeared in the ultraviolet range of the light spectrum. The flare registered as an X6.9 class sun storm, the largest of the Solar Cycle 24. Credit: NASA/SDO/GSFC
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SAN FRANCISCO — The sun's current space-weather cycle is the most anemic in 100 years, scientists say.
Our star is now at "solar maximum," the peak phase of its 11-year activity cycle. But this solar max is weak, and the overall current cycle, known as Solar Cycle 24, conjures up comparisons to the famously feeble Solar Cycle 14 in the early 1900s, researchers said.
"None of us alive have ever seen such a weak cycle. So we will learn something," Leif Svalgaard of Stanford University told reporters here today (Dec. 11) at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. [Solar Max: Amazing Sun Storm Photos of 2013]
The learning has already begun. For example, scientists think they know why the solar storms that have erupted during Solar Cycle 24 have caused relatively few problems here on Earth.
The sun often blasts huge clouds of superheated particles into space, in explosions known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Powerful CMEs that hit Earth squarely can trigger geomagnetic storms, which in turn can disrupt radio communications, GPS signals and power grids.
But such effects have rarely been seen during Solar Cycle 24, even though the total number of CMEs hasn't dropped off much, if at all. The explanation, researchers said, lies in the reduced pressure currently present in the heliosphere, the enormous bubble of charged particles and magnetic fields that the sun puffs out around itself.
This lower pressure has allowed CMEs to expand greatly as they cruise through space, said Nat Gopalswamy of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Indeed, Solar Cycle 24 CMEs are, on average, 38 percent bigger than those measured during the last cycle — a difference with real consequences for folks here on Earth.
"When the CMEs expand more, the magnetic field inside the CMEs has lower strength," Gopalswamy said. "So when you have lower-strength magnetic fields, then they cause milder geomagnetic storms."
Time to sue Algore for damaging the sun with all the ‘carbon’ crap and taxing.
The solar cycle is not "fixed" in duration. There are disputes about the period of the cycle. 11-17 years in some sources. Yes, we just began to come out of the longest and quietest sunspot minimum of my lifetime. Yes, the weather is more variable during sunspot minimums and maximums. No, the sky is not falling and No this is not a consequence of anything man has done.
It's cold over here.
Gore-bal cooling! Better tax something.
H/T to the Drudge Report.
fyi
It snowed on Isabel? Where is she?
ping!
I know them! Cairo and Isabel Jackson - they own the Gab-N-Eat Diner over on Route 40!
Solar scientists determine the progress of a cycle by observing magnetic activity on the Sun. They create an image known as a magnetogram, where N/S polarity is depicted as black/white regions.
http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/hmi_mag/1024/latest.html
Study shows it was warmer in Roman times than today
hotair.com | 2:46 pm on December 13, 2013 by | jeffdunetz
Posted on 12/13/2013 8:10:07 PM by BenLurkin
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3101603/posts
Send this one to all the in denial global climate change
aquaintenances in your circle.
Don cammo, snag weapons and take a long walk in the woods.
Several days later you can relax and delete the flames from
your email.
First the low information “scientists” came up with the speculation of “Global Warming.”
When that speculation went bust they speculated that it was really “Climate Change.”
Myself, I’m ALMOST ready to speculate that what is really, REALLY is: “Weather Change.”
___________
Now where was I? I have so many data points! Why, I haven’t slept in a week!
No kidding, EVERY hour the weather changes! Oops! There is another change!
Just a few more data points and - - - !
Oh NOES! I skipped right over speculating on “Season Change!”
Merry Christmas one and all!
Huh?
Time to sue Algore for damaging the sun with all the ‘carbon’ crap and taxing.
Nah. The sun goddess needs a sacrifice. He'll do for starters.
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