Earth may be headed into a mini Ice Age within a decade

The Register ^ | June 14, 2011 | Lewis Page

[Salgak]

Physicists say sunspot cycle is 'going into hibernation'

What may be the science story of the century is breaking this evening, as heavyweight US solar physicists announce that the Sun appears to be headed into a lengthy spell of low activity, which could mean that the Earth – far from facing a global warming problem – is actually headed into a mini Ice Age.

The announcement made on 14 June (18:00 UK time) comes from scientists at the US National Solar Observatory (NSO) and US Air Force Research Laboratory. Three different analyses of the Sun's recent behaviour all indicate that a period of unusually low solar activity may be about to begin.

The Sun normally follows an 11-year cycle of activity. The current cycle, Cycle 24, is now supposed to be ramping up towards maximum strength. Increased numbers of sunspots and other indications ought to be happening: but in fact results so far are most disappointing. Scientists at the NSO now suspect, based on data showing decades-long trends leading to this point, that Cycle 25 may not happen at all.

This could have major implications for the Earth's climate. According to a statement issued by the NSO, announcing the research:

An immediate question is whether this slowdown presages a second Maunder Minimum, a 70-year period with virtually no sunspots [which occurred] during 1645-1715.

[Venturer]

I am always amazed when people actually listen to Al Gore, the guy is a virtual idiot.

If it werent for his daddy he would naver have gotten to the Senate.

Presidents always look for an idiot to be VP and he fell into the job.

[black_diamond]

Don’t worry, I will drive my gas-guzzling SUV more just to keep the world from freezing.

[dusttoyou]

Won’t be bettin again ya.

[Lazamataz]

This is different. The sun was never this quiet.

[Lazamataz]

If we can somehow launch Mercury into the sun, would that help?

[familyop]

"In Search Of: The Coming Ice Age:"

They used the term, Centigrade instead of Celsius. That's cool. I'm going to start using that word (like using the American, buffalo, instead of the generalizing bison). It drives the "progressives" of linguistic activism nuts.

[no-to-illegals]

Could we launch some mercury into our light-bulbs here on earth?

opps ... we are already doing that one.

Give me five minutes to think about more carbon buildup, I am certain I can fix this problem.

[familyop]

"If we can somehow launch Mercury into the sun, would that help?"

Wouldn't that be like...a gesture of paganism? ;-)

[Iron Munro]

Isn't this where we came in?

[no-to-illegals]

I have it, and it didn't take five minutes. More coal fired power plants.

opps ... zer0 is shutting down five more coal fired plants. Dang we gonna freeze to death!

[familyop]

"That tagline of yours reminds me of a picture of alGore and the carbon traders with forks over an actual brain."

LOL! Relating possible economic and natural disasters to zombies tend to interest some of the young folks in learning technical skills and otherwise preparing and saving. I teach a few at times. And yes, it is funny, IMO. Thanks.

[familyop]

...tends, even.

[Rocky]

It’s all about destroying the modern capitalist economy and enforcing government control.

Well, now that that's accomplished, what's the next step?

[B4Ranch]

I am not trying to be rude but can you tell us all exactly how accurate SolarHam.com is with their predictions about solar activity. Our local weathermen cannot forecast the weather here in the mountains accurately five days ahead of time and these folks are expecting me to believe them for the next decade?

[Allegra]

Hang onto your money, ignore these queers.

Uh...duh.

[AmusedBystander]

Fascinating.

[no-to-illegals]

I “second” your comment. Gee, and I saw a picture of the Sun exploding not even a week ago. SunkenCiv posted it (I think), but my thinking goes into non-thinking sometimes.

[Interesting Times]

It isn't a question of believing "Solarham.com." This is research by the top solar experts.

[Covenantor]

Holy mackerel!

What a find. How often does the MSM serve up two WHOPPERs on one cover?

.Check the top teaser pull quotes.

"Beyond Detente: Why We Can't Beat The Soviets"

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

The signal to noise ratio in some of this data isn’t all that high. There is a lot of variation about the mean. I think I’d hold off on buying that Ski-doo franchise in Alabama just yet. Give this thing just a bit more time to play out.