On May 8, 2010, the Associated Press headline read: "Warning: Sunspot cycle beginning to rise."
Randolph Schmid's article for the AP states that, "It's time for the sun to move into a busier period
for sunspots, and while forcasters expect a relatively mild outbreak by historical standards, one major solar storm can cause
havoc with satellites and electrical systems here."
Mr. Schmidt further noted that, "A report by the National Academy of Sciences found that if a storm
as severe as one in 1859 occurred today, it could cause $1 trillion to $2 trillion in damage the first year and take four
to 10 years to recover."
However, "An international panel headed by Biesecker (Doug Biesecker, NOAA scientist) said Friday
it expects the upcoming solar cycle to be the weakest since 1928."
And "Space.com" is asking "Why is the sun producing so few sunspots?" Their March 14, 2010
report tells us that, "The so-called Great Conveyor Belt is a massive circulating current of hot plasma within the sun.
It has two branches, north and south, each taking about 40 years to complete one circuit. Researchers believe the turning
of the belt controls the sunspot cycle.
"The top of the belt skims the surface of the sun, sweeping up knots of solar magnetism and carying
them toward the poles." Current changes in the speed of this pattern, "...coincided with the deepest solar minimum
in nearly 100 years, contradicting models that say a fast-moving belt should boost sunspot production."
When you consider the warming trend over the last few years (from increases in radiated solar energy),
which even began excessive melting of the Southern Polar Cap on Mars, and when you consider the more recent noted cooling
in concert with a slight reduction in radiated solar energy --- with all of that, it becomes more and more apparent that our
sun produces many cycles and other variations that we have not learned all that much about.
Expect variations. Be prepared for unusual changes in our weather patterns from time to time.
That is the real Universe we are living in. There is nothing so constant as change.
(Keep up to date with further "AP" and "Space.com" reports. And remember us for relevant
critical analysis.)
-- T. D. N.
