NOAA confirms start of new sunspot cycle

AP on Yahoo ^ | 1/4/08 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - A new solar cycle is under way. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Friday that the first sunspot of a new 11-year cycle has appeared in the sun's northern hemisphere.

The frequency of sunspots rises and falls during these cycles, and the start of a new cycle indicates they are likely to begin increasing.

Sunspots, areas of intense magnetic activity on the sun, can affect Earth by disrupting electrical grids, airline and military communications, GPS signals and even cell phones, the agency said. During periods of intense sunspot activity, known as solar storms, highly charged radiation from the sun may head toward Earth.

"Our growing dependence on highly sophisticated, space-based technologies means we are far more vulnerable to space weather today than in the past," said NOAA Administrator Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr.

Last April an international panel of solar experts forecast that Solar Cycle 24 would start in March 2008, plus or minus six months. The panel was split between those predicting a strong or weak cycle.

[NormsRevenge]

Space Weather Prediction Center: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov

Solar Cycle forecast: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2007/s2847.htm

[MrEdd]

Bush's fault.

/L. Ron Gore

[Man50D]

All right!!!! Which one of you global warmists started this new cycle??!!!! I’m waiiiiiiting!!!!!

[SouthTexas]

No wonder we warmed up today!

[ConorMacNessa]

GW is going to seem inconsequential if the Sun has even a minor hiccup.

[steelyourfaith]

"Hot Air Cult"

~~Anthropogenic Global Warming ™ ping~~

[TheBattman]

Info I have read says that they are predicting the peak of solar activity will be in 2011 or 2012.

Keeping my eyes on the Easter sky.... President Hillary (or Obama) could be issuing in the end times....

Or maybe I am wrong....

[SIDENET]

We’re freakin’ doomed!

[Always Right]

Obviously due to man-made increased CO2 emissions.

[SIDENET]

President Hillary (or Obama) could be issuing in the end times....

End times? That's just great. And to think I just bought a new car.

[gridlock]

So what does this mean for Global War... er ... I mean ... Global Climate Change?

[xcamel]

Latest SOHO:

[Chode]

[BenLurkin]

“Did Sunspots Sink the Titanic?”

http://www.research.noaa.gov/spotlite/archive/spot_sunclimate.html

[gridlock]

End times? That's just great. And to think I just bought a new car.

I hope you didn't pay cash!

[Qout]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Only you can prevent sunspots.
Buy Carbon Offsets Now.
   Al Gore

[Popman]

Did the “Sun” get Al Gore permission to start this new cycle ?

[Dustbunny]

BUMP

[Paladin2]

"period of extreme cold that resulted in what historian John D. Post called the ‘last great subsistence crisis.’ With that cold came massive crops losses, food riots, famine and disease. I believe this next climate change will be much stronger and has the potential to once more cause widespread crop losses globally with the resultant ill effects."

That'll be inconvenient.