Scientists are Starting to Understand Solar Cycles

[FLO]

Solar scientists think they're finally getting a handle on predicting the Sun's cycles.

If everything goes as they predict, the next solar cycle will be 30-50% stronger, and be up to a year late.

Astronomers have been tracking the two major flows of plasma that goven the Sun's cycles. One acts like a conveyor belt, pulling plasma from the poles to the equator, and the other gets stretched since the Sun rotates faster at the equator than at the poles. This causes the Sun's magnetic field to concentrate, creating the solar maximum.

http://tinyurl.com/zttvt

[Ant]

30 - 50% more Flares, Sunspots and CME's :shock: WOW.

This is great news for Aurora! Personally I really hope that they are right. I'm really looking forward to the next maximum!

Ant

[Astroman]

This is very interesting. Having closely tracked the activity of the Sun during cycle 23, we found several apparent anomolies that could be very well explained by these findings. I'll be running to the local university to check out the paper mentioned in the article. Well, maybe I'll drive instead....

[FLO]

Thanks Astroman,

Can you - or anyone else - recommend a good 'first book' on the Sun?

[Astroman]

There's a couple great ones I've already linked....somewhere....Books, maybe? Links? It was during the "discussion" of the iron Sun.

[Astroman]

It's in the Learning Zone-"Good books on the Sun", or somesuch.

[OXO]

http://stargazerslounge.co.uk/index.php?topic=1423.0

[FLO]

Thanks chaps

[Astroman]

Right-o. Of these, the most recent and perhaps the best read is Nearest Star. The Sun is old, but very easy to understand.

[FLO]

Heres more:

Unprecedented forecast issued for next sunspot cycle

The next sunspot cycle will be 30-50% stronger than the last one and begin as much as a year late, according to a breakthrough forecast using a computer model of solar dynamics developed by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Predicting the Sun's cycles accurately, years in advance, will help societies plan for active bouts of solar storms, which can slow satellite orbits, disrupt communications, and bring down power systems.

http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0603/06sunspots/

[GazOC]

Thanks Astroman,

Can you - or anyone else - recommend a good 'first book' on the Sun?

I can lend you a good one mate for cost of postage.

[FLO]

Thanks Gaz,

PM on its way.