Guest guest Posted March 8, 2006 Report Share Posted March 8, 2006 Strong Sunspot Cycle Is Forecast http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-sci-solar7mar07,1,1174281.story?ctrack=1 & cset=true By Thomas H. Maugh II, Times Staff WriterMarch 7, 2006 EXCERPTS : The next sunspot cycle will be a year late and as much as 50% stronger than the last one, according to a forecast released Monday by scientists from NASA and the National Science Foundation.Such predictions are vital because the solar storms associated with the sunspots not only endanger humans in space, but can slow satellites in orbit, disrupt communications, interfere with Global Positioning Systems and bring down power grids. The most recent cycle, which peaked in 2001, was relatively weak with few significant disruptions reported. A major solar storm associated with the sunspot cycle on March 13, 1989, brought down the power grid in Quebec, darkening much of the Canadian province for nine hours.The latest forecast was made using a sophisticated computer program developed by solar scientist Mausumi Dikpati of the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo, and her colleagues.They predict that the next sunspot cycle, called cycle 24, will begin in late 2007 or early 2008 and will produce sunspots across an area slightly larger than 2.5% of the sun's surface.The cycle is likely to reach its peak about 2012. "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo. Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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