Earth may be headed into a mini Ice Age within a decade

**StrontiumDog** · 15-06-2011, 12:22 PM

Earth may be headed into a mini Ice Age within a decade

Earth may be headed into a mini Ice Age within a decade

Physicists say sunspot cycle is 'going into hibernation'

By Lewis Page

Posted in Science, 14th June 2011 17:00 GMT

What may be the science story of the century is breaking this evening, as heavyweight US solar physicists announce that the Sun appears to be headed into a lengthy spell of low activity, which could mean that the Earth – far from facing a global warming problem – is actually headed into a mini Ice Age.

Ice skating on the Thames by 2025?

The announcement made on 14 June (18:00 UK time) comes from scientists at the US National Solar Observatory (NSO) and US Air Force Research Laboratory. Three different analyses of the Sun's recent behaviour all indicate that a period of unusually low solar activity may be about to begin.

The Sun normally follows an 11-year cycle of activity. The current cycle, Cycle 24, is now supposed to be ramping up towards maximum strength. Increased numbers of sunspots and other indications ought to be happening: but in fact results so far are most disappointing. Scientists at the NSO now suspect, based on data showing decades-long trends leading to this point, that Cycle 25 may not happen at all.

This could have major implications for the Earth's climate. According to a statement issued by the NSO, announcing the research:

An immediate question is whether this slowdown presages a second Maunder Minimum, a 70-year period with virtually no sunspots [which occurred] during 1645-1715.

As NASA notes:

Early records of sunspots indicate that the Sun went through a period of inactivity in the late 17th century. Very few sunspots were seen on the Sun from about 1645 to 1715. Although the observations were not as extensive as in later years, the Sun was in fact well observed during this time and this lack of sunspots is well documented. This period of solar inactivity also corresponds to a climatic period called the "Little Ice Age" when rivers that are normally ice-free froze and snow fields remained year-round at lower altitudes. There is evidence that the Sun has had similar periods of inactivity in the more distant past.

During the Maunder Minimum and for periods either side of it, many European rivers which are ice-free today – including the Thames – routinely froze over, allowing ice skating and even for armies to march across them in some cases.

"This is highly unusual and unexpected," says Dr Frank Hill of the NSO. "But the fact that three completely different views of the Sun point in the same direction is a powerful indicator that the sunspot cycle may be going into hibernation."

**Boon Mee** · 15-06-2011, 12:25 PM

Right...Al Gore seen nodding in approval NOT!

**Thormaturge** · 15-06-2011, 12:27 PM

Now's the time to order that SUV while they're cheap.

Suck all the oil out of the Arctic before this crowd of experts realise they've overlooked something.

**Loy Toy** · 15-06-2011, 12:27 PM

So much for Global warming.

I hope it hibernates just over the top of Pattaya and to bring the average temperature down by about 5 degrees.

**larvidchr** · 15-06-2011, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

So much for Global warming.

I hope it hibernates just over the top of Pattaya and to bring the average temperature down by about 5 degrees.

Yes could do with a bit of that

**Rural Surin** · 15-06-2011, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

So much for Global warming.

I hope it hibernates just over the top of Pattaya and to bring the average temperature down by about 5 degrees.

I believe some theories suggest that the expected "mini" ice-age will precede any coming and final global warming shite. Or something along these lines.....yet, it won't affect the earth's torrid zones dramatically.

**Takeovers** · 15-06-2011, 12:57 PM

The sun is in a low for a while now, that recent flare a rare exception. So far it barely made a dent in the temperature's upwards trend.

So at best we are looking for a temporary halt in rising. Watch out for what happens when that lull of the sun ends.

**harrybarracuda** · 15-06-2011, 01:06 PM

I wish these c*nts would make their fucking minds up.

Blah Blah Blah Greenhouse gasses Global Warming etc. etc. etc.

**larvidchr** · 15-06-2011, 01:07 PM

^^
Yes but if the OP is true it will buy us more time to deal with Global warming CO2, and the urgency is not quite as desperate as some wants us to believe, not that it should put governments to sleep though, maybe running out/low on fossil fuels first will now have a chance help taking care of the problem with the nations that don't care about their CO2 pollution like the US, China and India to take the biggest sinners

**Takeovers** · 15-06-2011, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by larvidchr

Yes but if the OP is true it will buy us more time to deal with Global warming CO2, and the urgency is not quite as desperate as some wants us to believe, not that it should put governments to sleep though

Agree but unfortunately it may put global warming off the table, see some responses on this thread. When it ends a decade or two from now things will be worse. But let us hope the bought time will be put to good use.

Also we have no good theories on how this lull happens and so have no way of knowing when it ends. My guess is as good as anyones and I think the next sun cycle will be normal again.

**The Bold Rodney** · 15-06-2011, 03:14 PM

I've yet to notice any great reduction of temperatures here in the land of smiles.

This sounds like yet another piece of scientifc garbage based on supposition?

**Neo** · 15-06-2011, 03:57 PM

Let's face it.. it's just a bit too complicated for us humans to work out.

**Neo** · 15-06-2011, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by The Bold Rodney

I've yet to notice any great reduction of temperatures here in the land of smiles.

This sounds like yet another piece of scientifc garbage based on supposition?

I know who you remind me of now. Daffy Duck.

**Gerbil** · 15-06-2011, 06:08 PM

So now we're going to have to start burning *more* fossil fuels to *increase* the CO2 to keep the Earth warmer?

**LukDod** · 15-06-2011, 07:35 PM

Wonderful...
Maybe I'd be able to do some skiing in Northern Thailand, but alas, there are no really tall mountains here...only bunny slopes. ;-)

**The Bold Rodney** · 15-06-2011, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Neo

I know who you remind me of now. Daffy Duck.

Thanks for that and your scientific thought and imput on this thread are much appreciated at least they would be if you had just one or two more brain cells!

**Hampsha** · 15-06-2011, 09:49 PM

Shit. It does feel a bit cooler today.

**Takeovers** · 15-06-2011, 09:56 PM

Googled sun activity a bit. Maybe the announcement of an iceage was a bit prematurely.

The present low of the suncycle was actually low and longer than average, but not unusually so. Very recently the activity has picked up and is nearing normal for the cycle.

This graph from astropage.eu

**Neo** · 15-06-2011, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by The Bold Rodney

Originally Posted by Neo

I know who you remind me of now. Daffy Duck.

Thanks for that and your scientific thought and imput on this thread are much appreciated at least they would be if you had just one or two more brain cells!

Hi Dafney

**Hampsha** · 19-06-2011, 09:34 AM

Yesterday, it felt like a Fall day up here in Northern, Surin. The skies looked like October skies, too. I wouldn't mind it if Thailand had Thai winter weather from June to March

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