2008 Quietest Sunspot Year In 50 Years

Indy - 10/1/2008 at 03:47

Quote From Source:

Astronomers who count sunspots have announced that 2008 is now the "blankest year" of the Space Age.

As of Sept. 27, 2008, the sun had been blank, i.e., had no visible sunspots, on 200 days of the year. To find a year with more blank suns, you have to go back to 1954, three years before the launch of Sputnik, when the sun was blank 241 times.

"Sunspot counts are at a 50-year low," says solar physicist David Hathaway of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. "We're experiencing a deep minimum of the solar cycle."

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This is really amazing. I am glad NASA is finally paying attention though I'm sure they will continue to downplay it. 2008 is now the quietest sunspot year in just over 50 years. This is guaranteed. This is based on the number of spotless days in a year.

We've had 200 spotless days this year. That is 7th most this century. Without a major change we will likely finish this year with the 2nd most spotless days in a hundred years. The 2nd most spotless days in a year right now is just over 250 back in 1912. I think we can manage 50 more spotless days in the next 90. We have no chance of matching 1913 when there were just over 300 spotless days.

The story goes on to include something even more concerning.

Quote From Source:

"There is also the matter of solar irradiance," adds Pesnell. "Researchers are now seeing the dimmest sun in their records. The change is small, just a fraction of a percent, but significant. Questions about effects on climate are natural if the sun continues to dim."

Click source url to view entire story.

NASA story by Dr. Tony Phillips
Full Story: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/30sep_blankyear.htm

MountainManMike - 10/1/2008 at 04:56

id like to see how the winters were in those years...other than cold but also where precip patterns were and such.

DanG - 10/1/2008 at 07:15

Researchers are now seeing the dimmest sun in their records

Yes - this will have noticeable effects on our planet.

FatalWishes - 10/1/2008 at 07:19

This could be a record breaking winter.

chrisisasavage - 10/1/2008 at 08:41

Quoting

id like to see how the winters were in those years...other than cold but also where precip patterns were and such.

Well, we know winter 07 was nasty. 1996 was pretty cold here at least (Seattle area).

chrisisasavage - 10/1/2008 at 08:47

Hopefully this is the winter AGW dies for good.

MountainManMike - 10/1/2008 at 15:21

i think most of those winters were big in my area...snowy at least.

chrisisasavage - 10/1/2008 at 22:23

I'll go one record as NOT wanting a cold winter. With harsh economic conditions and high fuel prices people could die if it's a harsh winter.