WE ARE IN SOLAR CYCLE 24

Solar cycles are very important to the earth and its weather.  They seem to last around 11 years though the next is predicted to be longer.  We are in 24 right now, 23 having ended in 2008.It is predicted to reach its peak in 2012.   Click here for the full article

In 2006, there were predictions being made about 23 and its ending and what was to follow. "By analyzing recent solar cycles, the scientists also hope to forecast sunspot activity two solar cycles, or 22 years, into the future. The team is planning in the next year to issue a forecast of Cycle 25, which will peak in the early 2020s.
The researchers expect that predicting the Sun's cycles years in advance will lead to more accurate plans for solar storms, which can slow satellite orbits, disrupt communications, and bring down power systems."

If you know what it is to have a freezer stocked with frozen food and have the power go off with no generator of your own, you can imagine the importance of the sunspots that happen.  Not all things are man-made nor from aerosol cans.  Science daily writes:in a science reference  "Sunspot numbers have been recorded since 1700 AD and estimated back to 11,000 BP. The recent trend is upward from 1900 to the 1960s, then somewhat downward.  The Sun was last similarly active over 8,000 years ago.."

A recent study shows the importance of better understanding the result to our Earth from these changes in solar flow.  This blog should whet the appetite for anyone interested in this sort of knowledge.  Read here.

One can spend much more time on this subject.  Just use Google and search for 'sunspots'   That kept me out of trouble for a bit.