Comments on: Sunspot Pair Observed Today – Is Solar Cycle 24 Waking Up?

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:29:54 +0000

Ian,

I am neutral on the causes of climate change, not being competent to judge the matter. One thing I do know, however, is that science does not proceed by "consensus". If it did, we would still believe that the Earth is at the centre of the solar system. In fact, science proceeds by the very opposite of consensus. That is how progress is made, and it is why the views of dissentient scientists should be treated with respect, and not just rubbished.

Best wishes,

Tom

By: bushy

bushy — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:55:38 +0000

Well it seems that it was a damp squib and sun is blank once more.

By: marcellus

marcellus — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:04:32 +0000

I'm glad to see some activity. I've been watching the Sun for weeks and it is disappointing to see a featureless yellow-white ball of gas day after day.

Now maybe I can go after the Sunspotter's Award.

By: Dan Kascak

Dan Kascak — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:39:55 +0000

This new pair are cycle 23 spots:

SC23: Nothern Hemisphere: left black, right white
SC23 Southern Hemisphere: left white, right black
SC24: Northern Hemisphere: left white, right black
SC24: Southern Hemisphere: left black, right while

The IPS today has extended SC 23 predicted end by 6 months.

By: Bill Illis

Bill Illis — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:31:47 +0000

Just noting that Cycle 24 does not officially start until there are more Cycle 24 sunspots (with the reversed polarity) than there are Cycle 23 spots.

There have only been 3 Cycle 24 spots so far since January and a few dozen Cycle 23 spots so we are still in Cycle 23.

If these new ones are Cycle 24 (which no one seems sure of right now) and there are very few more Cycle 23 spots in the future, the official start of Cycle 24 will be August 2008. Chances are, however, we are still 6 months or more away from the official start of 24.

By: Ignoramus

Ignoramus — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:36:14 +0000

Found a good article on the 2006 cycle:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/15aug_backwards.htm. It talks about polarity

But I am still intrigued on how one can "see" the polarity.

By: Ignoramus

Ignoramus — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:29:32 +0000

Ian,
How does the polarity of a sunspot become observable and how can it be determined?
Thanks

By: NoAstronomer

NoAstronomer — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:15:03 +0000

Don't see why solar astronomers wouldn't be excited about a 'dead' cycle – there's nothing more exciting than the unexpected.

By: DavidJT

DavidJT — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:29:24 +0000

UncleDougie will believe anything which allows him to continue his polluting lifestyle with a clear conscience.

Human beings' activities have resulted in changes to the environment in many areas, and GW is one of the most serious… the vast majority of scientists support this view. If there was only one scientist who supported UncleDougie's view, he would, no doubt be championing that scientist.

I find it amazing and depressing that people like this pounce upon any shred of scientific data which (to their mind) supports their view, while disregarding the vast bulk of data which does not.

By: Ian O'Neill

Ian O'Neill — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:59:22 +0000

Right . . . . .

Not sure what you're getting at but I don't think it has much to do with the article.

If you are referring to the Sun being the main cause of global warming, you'd be mistaken. The vast consensus from world scientists is that we are the root of carbon dioxide emissions causing global average rises in temperature. (Yes, some scientists disagree, but that's their choice.)

Why this has anything to do with observations of sunspots I'm not sure; I have far meatier articles on the subject, see There is No Sun-Link with Global Warming. Go have fun with that one

Cheers, Ian

By: UncleDougie

UncleDougie — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:59:50 +0000

Who is Khabibullo Ismailovich Abdusamatov?
What is the Astrometria Project and what are its goals?
How many different solar cycles are there?
Where is the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory located?
Was 1998 the last year that Earth warmed?

Please send answers to Ian.