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Dim Sun Is Cold Comfort to Scientists

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 22, 2009 2:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – The sun may be heading for one of its dimmest periods in history, but that doesn't mean the big star is joining the battle against global warming, according to scientists. The sun hit a 100-year low in sunspot activity last year, reports the Telegraph.

Evidence indicates that the calm marks a building pattern of decades of quiet not seen since the 17th century, say scientists. But will it help climate change? Don't count on it, says one researcher. The relatively minor solar heat change means the sun is not "coming to our aid," he warned.

Sun activity may be quieting down, but it's not enough to turn back the clock on global warming. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

Birds sit on an electric wires, during a sunset in the village of Ponemon, 120 kilometers ( 75 miles) west of capital Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, April 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Sun's calming down. (©petebw)

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

kokuaguy

May 29, 2009 1:00 AM CDT

Don't need to know the whole picture SPH-- the relationship between CO2 and warming is clear enough-- we need to get off imported oil and utilize non-polluting, renewable energy sources. And isn't "progressive Republican" an oxymoron?

Mad

Apr 22, 2009 7:21 AM CDT

Yes, as republicans, I can see where you would advocate for waiting till every possible bit of data becomes clear before deciding to act on the mountain of evidence at hand. Easier to plug your ears and claim it all 'junk science' that actually DO SOMETHING ABOUT GLOBAL CHANGE

RobN

Apr 22, 2009 1:42 AM CDT

On the other hand, 9 out of 10 scientists love dim sum. Weird.

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Sunspot activity looks to be petering out for a while

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Reports say it did—but is global warming to blame?

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Greenhouse gasses 10 times more powerful than sun

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Global warming will deliver decades of hurricanes, floods and heat waves

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Dim Sun Is Cold Comfort to Scientists

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

climate change • global warming • space • Earth • sun • extrasolar planets • excessive heat • sunspots • solar activity

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Dead Sea Dried Up 120K Years Ago

And it's in danger of happening again

Sun May Soon Enter Long Quiet Phase

Sunspot activity looks to be petering out for a while

Did Greenland Sun Rise 2 Days Early?

Reports say it did—but is global warming to blame?

Sun Not to Blame for Rising Temperatures

Greenhouse gasses 10 times more powerful than sun

US Weather Hell: You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

Global warming will deliver decades of hurricanes, floods and heat waves

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?