[CW] FW: Solar Minimum and a Cooling Sun Baffles Astronomers and Climatologists

[Ed Tanton]

Pretty interesting commentary from Charles Osgood of CBS News. Most of the
observations here (what an appropriate word for a commentary related to the
Sun & astronomers) have gone unmentioned in the usual media. And, with
Global Warming being-if you'll pardon the pun-such a hot topic, I thought
you all might find this interesting. This is NOT meant to be political, nor
critical of Global Warming (or NOT-Global Warming) but the
numbers/descriptions ARE interesting as related to Radio and Propagation.

-----Original Message-----

Subject: [PVRC] Solar Minimum

While driving around town on my errands I often tune to All-News WTOP 103.5
FM.  It's a good way to catch up on the news when there is nothing else you
can be doing anyway.

One of the programs they run regularly is a CBS feature "The Osgood File."
Today I happened to hear this one, which I think will be of interest to
those like me who have been discussing propagation current events.  Here it
is:

OF4-04/21/09 9:25 AM

A QUIET SUN DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.



The Osgood File. I'm Charles Osgood.

I know you've already got a lot to worry about as it is, but something
rather odd is going on --- on the Sun.

The Sun normally undergoes an 11-year cycle of activity --- and last year,
it was supposed to have heated up --- and, at its peak, would have a
tumultuous boiling atmosphere, spitting out flares and huge chunks of
super-hot gas.

Instead, it hit a 50-year low in solar wind pressure, a 55-year low in radio
emissions, and a 100-year low in sunspot activity. Right now, the sun is the
dimmest it's been in nearly a century.

Did you know that? It's true. Astronomers are baffled by it, but has the
press covered the story? Hardly at all. Is the government doing anything
about it? No, it's not even in the Obama budget or any Congressional
earmarks.

But, sooner or later, I bet it will turn out to be our fault --- yours and
mine. And in Washington, where everything is political, they'll note that it
began before President Obama took office --- perhaps "another example of the
failed policies of the Bush Administration."

At an upcoming meeting of astronomers in the United Kingdom, they'll be
studying new pictures of the Sun taken from space, looking for any hint that
the Sun will start heating up again and acting up again, the way it's
supposed to. But there is no sign of that, so far.

In the mid-17th Century, there was a quiet spell on the Sun --- known as the
Maunder Minimum --- which lasted 70 years, and led to a mini-Ice Age here on
Earth.

Right now, global warming is a given to so many, it raises the question:
Could another minimum activity period on the Sun counteract, in any way, the
effects of global warming?

Hush, child! You're not even supposed to suggest that. The only thing that
can change global warming is if we human beings --- we Americans, especially
--- completely change our ways and our way of life.

I'm sure you'll be hearing more about this solar dimming business, now that
the story is out. Remember, you heard it here first...


The Osgood File. Transcripts, podcasts, and Mp3's of all these
programs can be found at theosgoodfile.com. I'm Charles Osgood on the
CBS Radio Network.



The Osgood File. April 21st, 2009.
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