Can we all agree, this is a little concerning?

Question

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/21dec_cycle24.htm
( tomcat's link)

apparently this question was over most of your heads, so i'll break it down a bit.

Most who think global warming is part of a natural cycle have many reasons why - but the reason they use the most is increased solar activity.

Others believe the enhanced greenhouse effect is the primary cause, and of course the greenhouse effect is directly related to solar irradiance.

So, no matter what theory you support, this is not good news for climate in the coming years.

so far bob and jello have understood the question

yes, i understand it is just a prediction and 24 could be only slightly more intense than 23, or even more intense than 19

Answer 1

Patrick,

There is one thing you should always know about scientists, there is always another group that thinks that just the opposite is going to occur, when it comes to predictions about the future. If you look at the sunspot graph in the link below you will see that cycle 25 is going to be weaker than anything seen in centuries, and there is also an alternate set of predictions that cycle 24 may not be extraordinary. At any rate cycle 25 is going to be weaker than anything seen in centuries. It will be obvious by then that companies that manufacture sweaters will see their stock certificates increase in value.

http://www.physorg.com/news66581392.html

Answer 2

It's very interesting, but not anything to be really concerned about. This is part of the natural cycle of the Sun, and the biggest likely problems are power and communication interruptions if a major flare heads towards Earth. Our satellites are all designed to go into safe-mode if we detect a flare, and the power grid operators can minimize disruption by re-balancing the grids. The biggest concern would be any astronauts/cosmonauts on the ISS or the Shuttle. The ISS has a radiation shelter and the shuttle can land at any of several emergency landing sites, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Maybe we'll get to see the Aurora Borealis here in Central California.




Oh...Sorry, did not realize this was a global warming question. Let me clarify: Global Warming is real. Man's impact upon the planet cannot be denied.

The solar cycle which is the basis of this question has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with global warming.

Sun cycles are the scapegoat for all of the twits who DO NOT belive in Global Warming.

So, Yeah, I DO understand the question. It would appear that the "asker" knows not what God hath wrought. And that bites.

Answer 3

It could be very concerning, if all the theories of climate change are true. What if the natural warming cycle of the earth is coinciding with increasing solar storms and with man-made warming? Throw in the strange astronomical alignment slated to complete in 2012, which has a slight possibility of triggering a pole shift and we could be looking at the end of the world as we know it. Perhaps the Mayans with their knowledge of astronomy were on to something after all?

Answer 4

From the link:
"According to their analysis, the next Solar Maximum should peak around 2010"

And after that the Earth's climate will start to cool.

"This would make it one of the strongest solar cycles of the past fifty years—which is to say, one of the strongest in recorded history"

Yes - That puts the last solar cycle around the mid 1930's to early 1940's when the USA had the dust bowl days and warming was felt around the world.

Case in point, this is just a natural cycle.

Answer 5

In the list of things to worry about; global warming, increasing price of oil, overpopulation, terrorism, deforestation,... this is not important. We can easily cope with it.

It's not like these cycles have that much influence on climate.

Answer 6

What do you purpose we humans do about it? So far you have offered zip!

Answer 7

i agree with cappo 359....it's part of the sun's cycle

Answer 8

i agree with cappo359, its a natural process.

Answer 9

hahahahaha,al gore is that you?