"David Knisely" wrote in message
...
EP Guy posted:

Looks like our friend Sol has finally settled into a dull roar

http://www.spaceweather.com/images20...i512_blank.gif

The solar minimum is about at maximum I believe. This mast solar max was
quite long lived highlighted by extreme flaring events and large
sunspots. However, in terms of actual sunspot numbers, it was average.
As this graphic indicates, 1960, 1980, 1990 were loaded. How much does
solar variation affect climate?

http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/ssl/pad...ges/zurich.gif


Well, we aren't quite at minimum just yet. The current magnetic sunspot
cycle and the next one generally overlap to some degree. Roughly 18
months before the minimum of the old cycle, the first new cycle spots may
begin to appear near 25 degrees north and south solar latitude, with the
few remaining spots from the old cycle straddling both sides of the
equator. So far in the current magnetograms I have yet to see new groups
near the 25 degree latitude range which have opposite polarity orientation
to those currently on the sun, although I expect this to occur rather
soon. Clear skies to you.


Well, is that a prediction? If it doesn't happen, then you have a rather
tasty foot in yo mouth.