The Guardian | Laura Spinney | Apr. 23, 2009
The sun’s activity is winding down, triggering fevered debate among scientists about how low it will go, and what it means for Earth’s climate. Nasa recorded no sunspots on 266 days in 2008 – a level of inactivity not seen since 1913 – and 2009 looks set to be even quieter. Solar wind pressure is at a 50-year low and our local star is ever so slightly dimmer than it was 10 years ago.
Sunspots are the most visible sign of an active sun – islands of magnetism on the sun’s surface where convection is inhibited, making the gas cooler and darker when seen from Earth – and the fact that they’re vanishing means we’re heading into a period of solar lethargy. [Read more…]
