Coming Solar Minimum Could Chill the Earth, New Forecast Predicts
Sunspots may be entering a hibernation period unseen in 400 years Sunspots may be going into hibernation, a phenomenon unseen since the 17th century that could lead to cooler global temperatures, scientists said Tuesday. It's not clear how rising temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions may offset global cooling, and scientists are still not totally sure how our star affects Earth's climate, however. But a forthcoming period of solar quiet will help settle the questions. Activity in the sun is building toward an expected peak sometime in 2013. Yet, despite a few notable solar flares, things are strangely calm. There are fewer sunspots in this cycle than expected, and they're fainter than usual, for instance. The east-west plasma jet stream inside the sun is apparently missing, and the magnetic field's pace of migration toward the poles is slowing down. Related ArticlesHow We're Still Trying to Shed Light on Persistent Solar MysteriesWhen The Sun Unleashed...