Scientists forecast lull in solar activity
Posted: Wed, Jun 15, 2011, 8:20 AM ET (1220 GMT)
The Sun may be entering an extended period of relatively quiet activity, a development that has implications for space exploration and possibly the Earth's climate. Scientists said at a meeting Tuesday of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division in New Mexico that evidence was mounting that the Sun's activity would diminish, perhaps for an extended period. Solar scientists have not detected a zonal flow associated with the onset of a new cycle of solar activity, and others found a long-term weakening trend in sunspots. They conclude that the Sun may be entering an extended period of little or no solar activity, including few major solar storms. That lull could make interplanetary spaceflight safer for future human expeditions, since there would be less risk of major storms they would have to protect themselves from. A past quiet period of the Sun, the Maunder Minimum, coincided with a cool period in terrestrial climate called the Little Ice Age, although scientists said the link between solar activity and climate was uncertain.
The Sun may be entering an extended period of relatively quiet activity, a development that has implications for space exploration and possibly the Earth's climate. Scientists said at a meeting Tuesday of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division in New Mexico that evidence was mounting that the Sun's activity would diminish, perhaps for an extended period. Solar scientists have not detected a zonal flow associated with the onset of a new cycle of solar activity, and others found a long-term weakening trend in sunspots. They conclude that the Sun may be entering an extended period of little or no solar activity, including few major solar storms. That lull could make interplanetary spaceflight safer for future human expeditions, since there would be less risk of major storms they would have to protect themselves from. A past quiet period of the Sun, the Maunder Minimum, coincided with a cool period in terrestrial climate called the Little Ice Age, although scientists said the link between solar activity and climate was uncertain.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, February 21
British-backed Smile headed to Europe’s Spaceport
ESA — 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) ESA to launch Celeste LEO-PNT on March 24
GPS World — 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) Commercial Space Stations Could Host Simulated Human Mars Trip
Aviation Week — 9:54 am ET (1454 GMT) NASA's Artemis II mission set to send humans beyond the Moon in March. Here's what you need to know
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 9:52 am ET (1452 GMT) NASA boss blasts Boeing and agency over bungled test flight that left astronauts stranded on space station
Australian Broadcasting Corporation — 9:52 am ET (1452 GMT) |
