Topic: What will the next solar cycle bring?

[sam]

http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100126/full/463414a.html

The Sun is rousing from an unusually heavy slumber. On 19 January, the otherwise calm and quiet Sun erupted in a violent blast of light and energy — an M-class solar flare, the largest observed in nearly two years. Over the next 24 hours, four more M-class flares erupted from the same sunspot, each more powerful than the one before

[Rik]

What do you make of it, Sam?

[Camstop]

I hope it doesn't play havoc with the Aussie open  ':|

[Rik]

Only the coverage, Cammy.

[Clive]

Don't read too much into it Rik.  It's just at a critical phase of its current 11 year cycle which seems to be running a little behind schedule this time.  But the good news - especially for Gill - is that we can expect to see more aurorae (northern lights) this year.  The bad news is that it might cause a few problems for communications satellites.  Solar physicists will be delighted as they will now have some work to do.   

[Rik]

 

So that's my Sky buggered then?

[Camstop]

So that's my Sky buggered then?

You sound like chicken Licken!   

[Rik]

 

That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me today, Cammy.

[Clive]

They have plenty of backup Rik.   I'm sure you wouldn't miss it if Sky 1 went off air.   

[Simon]

It had better not affect Channel 4.  I can't go without my daily fix of Deal or No Deal!   

[Clive]

That's my daughter-in-law's favourite TV show but she has the excuse of not being able to speak English!   

[Simon]

Your son is one smart guy! 

[Clive]

He follows his mother.   

[Simon]

That figures.   

[Clive]