Today’s Astronomy Picture of the Day features this remarkable image of a sunspot on the limb of the Sun as seen from the Japanese solar-observing spacecraft, Hinode. Like a fountain of fire, solar plasma is ejected from the sunspot, most of which cascades back onto the surface. Some of the ejecta particles will continue speeding off into space, ultimately falling onto whatever is in the path. Better understanding of how the Sun ejects particles into space may result in more accurate predictions of solar storms that affect satellites, astronauts, and even power grids on Earth.
Image Credit & Copyright: Hinode, JAXA, NASA
Between the venerable SOHO spacecraft and the newly-launched Hinode and STEREO probes, scientists are sure to discover much more about our stellar companion. We are entering into an age of enlightenment (so to speak) about the nature of the Sun’s influence on the environment and climate on planet Earth. This is unfortunate for those who would like to divert attention from science in favor of over-representing anthropogenic (man-made) effects and predictions of imminent global disaster.
Although there are ample scientific studies on both sides of the climate change issue, the alarmists use “consensus” among hand-picked scientists in an attempt to blame industry for increases in global temperatures during the 20th century. The ultimate goal of creating fear about the environment is to establish schemes like buying “carbon offsets” that will benefit a few dishonest people monetarily, and do little or nothing to “fix” the mythical “problem.”
Fortunately, the more we know about our stellar companion and the effects of solar activity and cosmic rays on our environment, the less effective the doomsayers will be – now don’t get me wrong, they will still be around, but will fall into the category of groups like the Flat Earth Society.