Solar Dynamo Still Anemic, Magnetism and UV Lax

radioweather writes "While we are well along into solar cycle 24, there remains a significant gap between the predictions of where we should be, and where we actually are in the progression of the cycle. Recently, the sun went spotless again, and the solar Ap geomagnetic index, an indicator of the solar magneto, hit zero. It is something you really don't expect to see this far along into the cycle. In other solar news, scientists monitoring the SORCE solar satellite have found that solar ultraviolet emissions have dropped significantly in the past few years. The Solar Irradiance Monitor on the satellite 'suggests that ultraviolet irradiance fell far more than expected between 2004 and 2007 — by ten times as much as the total irradiance did — while irradiance in certain visible and infrared wavelengths surprisingly increased, even as solar activity wound down overall.'"

Comments

Research Cycle

[drmofe]

Solar scientists well-placed to benefit:

1. 1. Area of research that still lacks full understanding of complex phenomena.
2. 2. Underfunded area of research.
3. 3. Backlash against proponents of AGW due to harsh Northern Hemisphere winter.
4. 4. ???
5. 5. Research Grants!!!