Slashdot Mirror
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.
Baader makes a makes an AstroSolar Saftey Film that can be cut to any size.
http://www.baader-planetarium.com/sofifolie/sofi_start_e.htm
I have also seen some people use modified telescope filters (Calcium K-line).
"At first, we thought it was just another snake cult."
Have a look at the SIDC. We count sunspots and get payed for it!
This will give us good readings on how the solar cycle affects this climate.
Stop the brainwash