Is the Sun Going Through a Period of Weakening?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the current weakening of solar features, as evidenced by Ulysses reporting a 50-year low in solar wind pressure, with a reduction exceeding 20%. Additionally, IBEX has observed a 10%-15% decrease in energetic neutral atom (ENA) intensity in the heliosheath. Research indicates a potential shutdown of the sunspot cycle, which could have implications for climate patterns, including concerns about a new Little Ice Age. This information is critical for solar scientists, commodities traders, and climate researchers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solar wind dynamics
  • Familiarity with heliosheath and ENA measurements
  • Knowledge of the sunspot cycle and its implications
  • Basic concepts of climate science and historical climate patterns
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  • Research the implications of solar wind pressure on Earth's climate
  • Study the methodologies used by Ulysses and IBEX for solar observations
  • Examine historical data on sunspot cycles and their effects on climate
  • Explore the relationship between solar activity and global temperature trends
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Solar scientists, climate researchers, commodities traders, and anyone interested in the effects of solar activity on climate patterns will benefit from this discussion.

Dotini
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No doubt the core, photosphere, and corona are all integral features of the sun. The solar wind and heliosheath come under similar consideration. Currently it appears certain solar features at several scales are undergoing dynamic changes which look something like weakening.

Ulysses has reported a 50 year low in solar wind pressure, a drop of more than 20%.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2008/23sep_solarwind/

More recently, IBEX noted a 10%-15% reduction of ENA intensity in the heliosheath.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/ibex/news/solar-boundary.html

Now three new lines of research point toward the sunspot cycle shutting down for a while.
http://www.astromart.com/news/news.asp?news_id=1196
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-181&cid=release_2011-181

I'm not trying to make any kind of point or big deal about any of this, as it's all likely to be cyclical business as usual out there, although solar scientists, commodities traders and climate arguers might perk up at the news.

"Prediction is very hard, especially about the future." --Yogi Berra

Respectfully submitted,
Steve
 
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IMHO, another Little Ice Age, with its crop-failures and famine, would NOT be a good thing...

Due to forum guidelines, I will not speculate further...
 
Nik_2213 said:
IMHO, another Little Ice Age, with its crop-failures and famine, would NOT be a good thing...

Due to forum guidelines, I will not speculate further...

Speculation is only bad when you run off the path of known science to complete "what if's" that can't possibly be known yet.

Personally I wonder if the global warming effect we've made for ourselves would protect us against this a bit.