PC Pals Forum

General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on January 27, 2010, 13:49

Title: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: sam on January 27, 2010, 13:49

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

Quote

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

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 27, 2010, 15:47

What do you make of it, Sam?

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Camstop on January 27, 2010, 16:23

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

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 27, 2010, 16:38

Only the coverage, Cammy. :)

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Clive on January 27, 2010, 19:05

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.   ;D

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 27, 2010, 19:07

 ;D

So that's my Sky buggered then? ;)

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Camstop on January 27, 2010, 19:11

Quote from: Rik on January 27, 2010, 19:07

;D

So that's my Sky buggered then? ;)

You sound like chicken Licken!   ;D

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 27, 2010, 19:16

 ;D

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

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Clive on January 27, 2010, 19:32

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

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Simon on January 27, 2010, 21:40

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

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Clive on January 27, 2010, 21:51

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

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Simon on January 27, 2010, 21:58

Your son is one smart guy!  :laugh:

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Clive on January 27, 2010, 23:17

He follows his mother.   ;D

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Simon on January 27, 2010, 23:18

That figures.  :wahh:  ;D

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Clive on January 27, 2010, 23:26

 :hee-hee:

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 28, 2010, 09:33

Quote from: Clive on January 27, 2010, 23:17

He follows his mother.   ;D

Doesn't she find that irritating?

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Simon on January 28, 2010, 09:55

:groan:

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 28, 2010, 10:02

 ;D

I knew you'd appreciate that.

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Simon on January 28, 2010, 10:42

'Appreciate' isn't the word I was thinking of.  ;)

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 28, 2010, 10:55

 ;D

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: sam on January 28, 2010, 15:32

Quote from: Rik on January 27, 2010, 15:47

What do you make of it, Sam?

person to ask is my other half... she works on stellar interiors and what-not....

Personally its just a blip and if we looked over the Sun's cycle over a few millennia it would easily be within errors.

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 28, 2010, 15:34

Thanks...

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Simon on January 28, 2010, 17:05

That's a relief!  :)

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Simon on January 28, 2010, 17:06

You can book that holiday after all, Rik. ;)

Title: Re: What will the next solar cycle bring?
Post by: Rik on January 28, 2010, 17:13

I wish. :)