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Our Lazy Solar Dynamo — Hello Dalton Minimum?

Posted by Soulskill on from the ra-on-probation dept.

tetrahedrassface writes "Solar maximum is supposed to be occurring, and everything from satellite communications to your toaster or radio could be affected. The only problem is that this just isn't happening, and NASA continues to revise downward the original prediction. In fact, the new forecast for Solar Cycle 24 is a lot smaller, and is now pegged at almost 40% of what was previously predicted. Recently, two scientists at the National Solar Observatory have followed the lead of a prominent Russian scientist, who almost five years ago forecast a dearth of sunspots and the subsequent cooling of Earth for the next several cycles. With Britain currently experiencing the coldest winter in over 300 years, and no new sunspots for the last week, are we heading for a Dalton Minimum, or worse still, yet another Maunder?"

8 of 571 comments (clear)

  1. No problem! by jcr · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'll just up my CO2 emissions by a couple of tons. I haven't been using my fireplace nearly enough lately.

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
    1. Re:No problem! by commodore64_love · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yep. And I'll trade-in my 80 MPG hybrid for a gas-guzzling Porsche (shaped like a penis)* that gets a mere 15 mpg. And move to a home 100 miles from my job.

      *
      *Buffy reference

      --
      "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
    2. Re:No problem! by mikael · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hale and Pace sketch

      --
      Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
  2. Re:In before the Global Warming crowd... by andoman2000 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I've already got my car running in the garage with the door closed, I'm feeling warmer and sleepy..........

  3. Re:So what? by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

    After the holidays I could stand to lose a few pounds. This Maunder diet sounds like the ticket.

  4. Lies by commodore64_love · · Score: 3, Funny

    The globe is warming!
    I mean cooling.
    I mean "climate changing".
    (clings to the Book of Al Gore and whimpers)
    ;-)

    --
    "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
  5. Enjoy your SUVs, you bastards. by sdoneill · · Score: 4, Funny

    You've destroyed the sun.

  6. Re:So what? by mweather · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hear it's endorsed by Thomas Malthus.