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Cosmic Rays Linked to Global Warming
LiveScience ^ | 23 October 2006 | Sara Goudarzi

Posted on 10/24/2006 7:42:17 PM PDT by Freeport

Earth's recent warming trend might in part be due to a lack of starlight reaching our planet, a new study suggests. But other scientists are not so sure.

According to a theory proposed a decade ago, when a star explodes far away in the Milky Way, cosmic rays—high-speed atomic particles—go through the Earth’s atmosphere and produce ions and free electrons.

The released electrons act as catalysts and accelerate the formation of small clusters of sulfuric acid and water molecules, the building blocks of clouds. Therefore, cosmic rays would increase cloud cover on Earth, reflecting sunlight and keeping the planet relatively cool.

However, because the Sun’s magnetic field—which shields the Earth from these rays—doubled in intensity during the last century, there has been a reduction in cloudiness, a possible contributor to Earth’s warming.

Scientists at the Danish National Space Center mimicked chemistry of the lower atmosphere in a large reaction chamber. They created a mixture that contained gasses at realistic concentrations and used an ultraviolet lamp to act as the Sun.

Microscopic droplets, precursor to clouds, started floating in the air of the reaction chamber.

“We were amazed by the speed and efficiency with which the electrons do their work of creating the building blocks for the cloud condensation nuclei,” said team leader Henrik Svensmark, Director of the Center for Sun-Climate Research at the Danish National Space Center. “This is a completely new result within climate science.”

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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cosmicrays; globalwarming
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Won't see this information in MSM...
1 posted on 10/24/2006 7:42:18 PM PDT by Freeport
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To: Freeport
increase cloud cover on Earth, reflecting sunlight and keeping the planet relatively cool.

This explains the frigid temperatures on Venus. Lots of cloud cover, big greenhouse effect = plummeting temperatures. Is this new theory?

2 posted on 10/24/2006 7:44:44 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The broken wall, the burning roof and tower. And Agamemnon dead.)
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To: Freeport
Don't worry the moles and poseurs will be along with their twisted "man is at fault" nonsense.
3 posted on 10/24/2006 7:45:10 PM PDT by samm1148 (Pennsylvania-They haven't taxed air--yet)
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To: Freeport
Don't worry the moles and poseurs will be along with their twisted "man is at fault" nonsense.
4 posted on 10/24/2006 7:45:26 PM PDT by samm1148 (Pennsylvania-They haven't taxed air--yet)
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To: Freeport
Don't worry the moles and poseurs will be along with their twisted "man is at fault" nonsense.
5 posted on 10/24/2006 7:45:26 PM PDT by samm1148 (Pennsylvania-They haven't taxed air--yet)
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To: Freeport

Yes, the doubling of the Sun's magnetic field strength is miniscule compared to the power of SUVs ~ MSM simply won't talk about it.


6 posted on 10/24/2006 7:45:34 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Freeport

Yes, the doubling of the Sun's magnetic field strength is miniscule compared to the power of SUVs ~ MSM simply won't talk about it.


7 posted on 10/24/2006 7:45:34 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Freeport

That would be Karl's death rays from the planet Zog. Heating up the earth to make buttloads of money in the refrigeration industry. To sell vast quantities of air conditioners.


8 posted on 10/24/2006 7:45:54 PM PDT by shankbear (Al-Qaeda grew while Monica blew)
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To: ClearCase_guy

Check the cloud types....


9 posted on 10/24/2006 7:46:22 PM PDT by Freeport
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To: samm1148
Don't worry the moles and poseurs will be along with their twisted "man is at fault" nonsense.

Proabaly more than once. 8^)

10 posted on 10/24/2006 7:46:39 PM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
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To: Freeport

cosmic rays aren't "rays".


11 posted on 10/24/2006 7:46:56 PM PDT by Flightdeck
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To: facedown

However, they can probably spell.


12 posted on 10/24/2006 7:47:27 PM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)
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To: Freeport

Cosmic Rays Linked to Global Warming... and George Bush linked to cosmic rays.


13 posted on 10/24/2006 7:47:47 PM PDT by Cementjungle
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To: Freeport
Cosmic Rays Linked to Global Warming

This is a total duh!

14 posted on 10/24/2006 7:47:57 PM PDT by Toby06 (Diesel smoke makes me horny.)
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To: Freeport

Cosmic rays also play a role in lightning formation (just how that affects the ecology I wouldn't guess).


15 posted on 10/24/2006 7:50:13 PM PDT by mrsmith
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To: Toby06

But, but, but … I thought it was all Bush’s fault!


16 posted on 10/24/2006 7:50:43 PM PDT by doc1019
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To: Freeport

Bush's fault.


17 posted on 10/24/2006 7:50:53 PM PDT by Buck W. (If you push something hard enough, it will fall over.)
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To: samm1148

If a force of cosmic nature causes "global warming" then the grant money stops flowing and they can't use it to foster a technophobic agenda.


18 posted on 10/24/2006 7:51:03 PM PDT by AmishDude (Mwahahahahahahahaha -- official evil laugh of the North American Union)
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To: Freeport
However, because the Sun’s magnetic field—which shields the Earth from these rays—doubled in intensity during the last century

Clearly this is Bush's fault. Clinton tried to stop the increase in the Sun's magnetic field. He tried, and he failed, but at least he tried!

19 posted on 10/24/2006 7:52:05 PM PDT by Stultis
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To: AmishDude

STOP PLATE TECTONICS!!!!!!!!!!


20 posted on 10/24/2006 7:52:35 PM PDT by shankbear (Al-Qaeda grew while Monica blew)
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