September 2009

The Sun is a star – a main sequence star whose business is to fuse hydrogen atoms into helium atoms. Fusion is a steady but somewhat unstable and potentially violent thermonuclear process. During fusion, solar mass, heat and pressure force hydrogen atoms to combine to become helium atoms. This transformation of atomic states produces energy in the form of multispectral photons (visible light, heat, x-rays, ultra-violet, cosmic rays, magnetic flux, radio-frequency emissions and more). We all know the effects of UV on skin disease, and lately, the effects of magnetic flux on the electrical grid. The Sun, like fire, can be good and bad.

The current Solar Minimum has been exceptionally quiet much to the despair of climate alarmists. They are being forced to re-invent the so-called ‘climate crisis.’ But, don’t relax just yet, because we know their tactics:

1. The media will print or broadcast sensationalized headlines to sell copy regardless of scientific value
2. The media will print or broadcast manipulated science with half-truths and invalid conclusions to damage politicians with whom they do not agree
3. Politicians seize on these unverified claims in order to blame their opponents
4. Uneducated/uninformed people are as gullible as ever

Meanwhile, Old Sol refuses to cooperate: From SOHO Pick of the Week:

The Sun had no sunspots for 51 days in a row July 11 – Aug. 30, 2009 — just nearly breaking the record of 52 days for the longest quiet period for this solar cycle. That record was set last summer. As we watch 50 days of that period with STEREO (Behind) in a wavelength of extreme UV light, we see some activity, such as prominences popping about here and there, but no active regions strong enough to form a sunspot.

Late on Aug. 31, a little sunspot emerged (not shown in the clip that ends on Aug. 28th) to interrupt the long string of quiet days. Even so, this little sunspot measured about nearly 3000 km (1800 miles) across. Nevertheless, it is likely that the current year’s number of blank days will be the longest in about 100 years. It is not shown many signs of picking up the pace so far.