A Quiet Sun, a Cold Winter
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a colder-than-normal winter. One contributing factor is sunspots—or the lack of them!
This year and next, sunspot activity will be very, very light. Whenever this phenomenon has occurred in the past, the result has been a cooling influence on Earth. Solar experts believe that the Sun will remain calm for another year.
See sunspot activity for 2009.
Additionally from the Old Farmers Almanac
In 2008, the Sun set some new records:
* A 50-year low in solar wind pressure: Decreased solar winds allow more galactic cosmic rays into the inner solar system. This poses health risk for astronauts. Another effect is fewer aurorae, or northern lights, on Earth.
* A 12-year low in solar "irradiance": The sun's diminished brightness has already lead to a dramatic decrease in extreme UV wavelengths. This means that Earth's upper atmosphere is less heated by the Sun, which may lead to a slight global cooling. Another effect is that satellites operate longer due to less atmospheric drag. Space junk, however, stays in orbit longer (a risk to satellites).
* A 55-year low in solar radio emissions: Some researchers believe that the lessening of radio emissions is an indication of weakness in the sun's global magnetic field.
GOES-14 (O) Moving into On-Orbit Storage Around the Earth
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The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite named GOES-14, is
being placed in on-orbit storage this month to await its call to duty.
1 hour ago