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Sunspots surge to 23-year high as solar maximum continues to intensify far beyond initial expectations
Live Science ^ | 09/03/24 | Harry Baker

Posted on 09/04/2024 10:56:28 AM PDT by BenLurkin

The number of black spots peppering the sun's surface in August was the highest for almost 23 years, new data shows. The latest sunspot count was more than twice as high as initial forecasts predicted and is another clear sign that the sun's explosive peak, or solar maximum, is likely well underway — and will be far more active than scientists initially thought.

Sunspots are regions of the sun's surface where surges of electromagnetic radiation break through the star's magnetic field, creating relatively cool patches that appear black to us thanks to an optical illusion. Along with the size and frequency of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, sunspot numbers indicate the progress of the sun's roughly 11-year solar cycle.

During the sun's least active phase, or solar minimum, there are very few or occasionally no sunspots. For example, in late 2019, shortly before the start of the current solar cycle (Solar Cycle 25), there were 40 consecutive days with no visible sunspots. But as the sun's magnetic field gets entangled with itself and weakens, sunspot numbers quickly climb before peaking during solar maximum. During this active phase, the sun's magnetic field eventually snaps and completely flips, which triggers a falling-off period of solar activity and a decrease in sunspots until the whole cycle restarts.


There was an average of 215.5 daily sunspots on the sun's surface during August.
This time-lapse image shows every visible dark patch moving across the sun during this time.
(Image credit: SDO/Şenol Şanlı/Uğur İkizler)

(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: astronomy; magneticfield; science; sunspots
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1 posted on 09/04/2024 10:56:28 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Buy ‘em!


2 posted on 09/04/2024 10:58:29 AM PDT by xoxox
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To: BenLurkin

The Green New Deal didn’t moderate solar activity?
I’m shocked!


3 posted on 09/04/2024 10:58:52 AM PDT by Dalberg-Acton
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To: BenLurkin
WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!!

(Oh, wait, maybe not...)

4 posted on 09/04/2024 10:58:55 AM PDT by dayglored (“Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given.” - Kinky Friedman 1944-2024 )
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To: BenLurkin

Proof of “Global Warming” and “Climate Change” and “TBD next Scare Tactic”.


5 posted on 09/04/2024 10:59:26 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: BenLurkin

It seems like just yesterday when they were all in a tizzy about the lack of sunspots.


6 posted on 09/04/2024 11:00:32 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: BenLurkin

I think we can expect some unusual weather patterns as a result.


7 posted on 09/04/2024 11:00:45 AM PDT by pfflier
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To: BenLurkin

I am sure Kamala will fix this with a tax to send trillions to the sun.


8 posted on 09/04/2024 11:00:45 AM PDT by wbslws
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To: ComputerGuy

It’s a recurring cycle.


9 posted on 09/04/2024 11:01:47 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: BenLurkin
From Wikipedia:

The current scientific consensus on climate change is that solar variations only play a marginal role in driving global climate change

Which sure sounds like BS to me.

10 posted on 09/04/2024 11:02:33 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (My decisions about people are based almost entirely on skin color. I learned this from Democrats.)
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To: BenLurkin
> ...During this active phase, the sun's magnetic field eventually snaps and completely flips,...

I've always thought this is one of the more bizarre and fascinating things about the Sun. The sheer amount of energy represented by a magnetic field of that size, and then to reverse itself? Holy macaroni. Inconceivable.

11 posted on 09/04/2024 11:03:18 AM PDT by dayglored (“Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given.” - Kinky Friedman 1944-2024 )
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To: BenLurkin

The headline writers always make everything a big deal. That’s their job, I guess.


12 posted on 09/04/2024 11:03:42 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: ClearCase_guy
> Which sure sounds like BS to me.

Probably because is -IS- BS.

13 posted on 09/04/2024 11:04:16 AM PDT by dayglored (“Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given.” - Kinky Friedman 1944-2024 )
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To: BenLurkin

It’s been unusually hot lately. Must be Climate Change...........or because it was August in Florida.............


14 posted on 09/04/2024 11:04:19 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: BenLurkin

This article proves that galactic climate change is real.
If people truly care about the galaxy that will be handed to their children they will act accordingly .


15 posted on 09/04/2024 11:05:45 AM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (Have you seen Joe Biden's picture on a milk carton?)
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To: BenLurkin

it is almost like.. when the sun intensifies... we get hotter here on Earth..

But we all know it is those evil SUV’s!

LMAO


16 posted on 09/04/2024 11:06:32 AM PDT by TexasFreeper2009
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To: BenLurkin
Umm, like this has been happening for millions of years, even before humans existed. It has been observed by humans in the past. No surprises. Late 1950s had a particularly strong one.

17 posted on 09/04/2024 11:07:30 AM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie (LORD, grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil.)
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To: pfflier
> I think we can expect some unusual weather patterns as a result.

Unusual weather, you say? UNUSUAL WEATHER????? More like:

Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes... The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... MASS HYSTERIA!
Just sayin'...
18 posted on 09/04/2024 11:08:31 AM PDT by dayglored (“Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given.” - Kinky Friedman 1944-2024 )
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To: BenLurkin
I'm sure glad we have alternate means of communications nowadays compaired to sixty years ago.   When that guy sang about crackling rosie peed on the board, that was what it's like when sunspots affect HF Radio shots.
19 posted on 09/04/2024 11:09:58 AM PDT by higgmeister (In the Shadow of The Big Chicken! )
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To: BenLurkin

“23-year high...”

Or, in other words, “over the past two cycles...” so not even as high as the cycle in the 90s (which I was in Saudi for; there was a huge spot visible to the naked eye - when viewed through a heavy sandstorm).


20 posted on 09/04/2024 11:10:43 AM PDT by Little Pig
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