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The Quietest Sun

Orbity sends in a Boston Globe report on the unusual calm on the surface of the sun. The photos, many taken in more active solar times, are excellent — see the sequence from last year of a coronal mass ejection carrying away the tail of a comet. "The Sun is now in the quietest phase of its 11-year activity cycle, the solar minimum — in fact, it has been unusually quiet this year — with over 200 days so far with no observed sunspots. The solar wind has also dropped to its lowest levels in 50 years. Scientists are unsure of the significance of this unusual calm..." As if to be contrary, New Scientist mentions that the number of sunspots seem to be increasing.

2 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. How will Al Gore blame this one on Man? by bugeaterr · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Perhaps our solar panels are absorbing TOO MUCH SUNSHINE!!!!

  2. Re:Who's to blame? by jabberw0k · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    It's all because of SUV drivers and people who refuse to recycle.

    Michael Moore documentary at a theatre near you soon!