Is it just me.... or is the sun a heck of a lot brighter then it was in 2006? I can't even look at the sky not even near the sun without squinting my eyes :(
2007-12-11 01:02:50 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Actually many scientists are showing by experiment that the sun actually may be getting (or is) slightly dimmer. Let me clarify, the sun itself puts out a pretty constant stream of radiation that has changed very little during the 4.7 billion years of its life and it is not changing now. What scientists are observing is that high atmosphere pollution, produced mostly by jet aircraft, causes a haze that is blocking a small percentage of the sun's light.
This phenomenon was observed right after Sept. 11, 2001 when all aircraft traffic in the US were grounded for a few days, during this time the atmosphere actually got much clearer and to the surprise of scientists radiation levels measured on the earth’s surface spiked up during those few days. Surprisingly there are 23,000 flights in the US daily and about 5000 jet aircraft in the air at all times!
This is of especially high concern for global warming advocates because if in fact (in the future) we get cleaner burning jets that use hydrogen or some other non-polluting fuel and the “jet haze” goes away then more of the sun’s energy will get through to the lower atmosphere. Then if we have green house gasses holding this additional radiation in we could have an additional spike in global warming.
So believe it or not, these scientists are theorizing that pollution is helping combat global warming.
2007-12-11 02:32:16 · answer #1 · answered by Bill 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you're wondering if the whole "global warming" and "ozone depletion" are affecting how you see the sun, they will not cause you to see the sun brighter. These effects work on frequencies of sunlight that are not visible. The visual spectrum of light is not affected by either of these problems. Likely, it is just your eyes are more sensitive.
P.S. I'm not disputing either effect, as I see that each is happening by the unnaturally warm weather. (Dec 11 and it's 55F(?) outside at 9 AM(?), high today of 65?)
2007-12-11 09:14:51 · answer #2 · answered by jodokast614 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun could appear brighter in the winter because it's closer, though the light isn't as direct as during the summer.
2007-12-11 09:14:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, make sure you cover your skin in lotion and wear good glasses dear.
It is getting brighter, but don't worry, there is plenty time, before the D day. I doubt that, we will be even around at the turn of the century (I know I won't at least).
link up to NASA, they will keep you informed!
2007-12-11 09:16:50 · answer #4 · answered by mx. know it all 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's you. The Sun is no brighter than it's been for millions of years.
2007-12-11 09:07:56 · answer #5 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, it is just you. The sun does not change noticeably from year to year, although there is some evidence of a slow change over the centuries. These changes are tiny and always return to a norm.
2007-12-11 09:11:15 · answer #6 · answered by firefysh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its blemish free at the moment.
the Sun was going thru a bad case of acne for quite some time after the expected high in 2001. for awhile it looked like a pizza.
cant imagine you could tell the difference... but you never know. personally, i dont like to dismiss things without checking first.
2007-12-11 09:18:00 · answer #7 · answered by Faesson 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well I have not noticed anything different, it is possible that your eyes may be more sensitive,
you can go to spaceweather.com to track any changes in the sun
2007-12-11 09:08:26 · answer #8 · answered by SPACEGUY 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋