The Sun Has First Spotless Month Since 1913 571
radioweather writes "August 2008 has made solar history. As of 00 UTC September 1st 2008 (5PM PST)
we just witnessed the
first spotless calendar month since June 1913.This was determined according
to sunspot
data from NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center, which goes back to 1749.
In the 95 years since 1913, we've had quite an active sun, but activity has been
declining in the last few years. The sun today is a nearly featureless sphere and has been spotless for 42
days total, but this is the first full calendar month since 1913 for a spotless
sun. And there are other indicators of the sun being in a funk. Australia's
space weather agency recently revised their solar cycle 24 forecast, pushing the
expected date for a ramping up of
cycle 24 sunspots into the future by six months."
As one of the links above indicate, there was a "sunspeck" reported August 21/22, though. Reader MikeyTheK adds a link to a story at Daily Tech on the spotless record.
The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:5, Funny)
The sun has discovered the best acne medication in the universe.
LHC?!? (Score:4, Funny)
Ok, who switched on the LHC!
Ha!, that'll stop the critics who think the earth will vanish in a instant... see nothing to worry ab.o.u..t... [KABOOOMMMMMM
I can't wait (Score:3, Funny)
I can't wait to come back later and find out how this is caused by George W. Bush, the US, or Bush's failure to sign on to the Kyoto treaty (even though Clinton was president at the time).
Re:Standby and get ready! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Standby and get ready! (Score:3, Funny)
Oh, crap, did I post this without checking the AC box?
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:3, Funny)
Of course. We have to show everyone that global warming is caused by a lack of sunspots, rather than the more obvious problem of excessive greenhouse gases. After all, the Earth is about be destroyed in the Rapture anyways, so why do we care?
Re:Sun had a profitable month? (Score:4, Funny)
nope :) I was just wondering what version of SunOS they had in 1913 :)
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:5, Funny)
Not to mention that it should probably be titled "It's been a spotless month, from the part of the sun that we can actually see - I mean, who knows what's happening on the other side?"
So what you're saying is the article should really say "The Sun, after centuries of being mercilessly mocked by Earthlings for its persistent spotting problems, has decided to turn around and show the Earth its backside from now on."
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:5, Funny)
I blame Geroge Bush for all this. Notice this report is out and FEMA hasn't responded yet.
Re:Hmm (Score:3, Funny)
No shit. Nobody questions that. It is all about how much you are going to be taxed on the way there, and maybe beyond.
Man's CO2 emmisions made the spots go away (Score:1, Funny)
Obviously caused by the people driving Hummers.
Awesome misread (Score:2, Funny)
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:2, Funny)
...which is Proactiv. I'll be straight up with you - the sun don't want no bumps on its face, so it's using Proactiv, which helps moisturize its situation and preserve its sexy.
Re:Bad summer (Score:1, Funny)
Every time *I* miss a month... (Score:5, Funny)
...my boyfriend panics.
Re:Bad summer (Score:3, Funny)
Someone killed summer.
Temperatures were much lower than average.
Skies were much more overcast.
I didn't even see a Michael Jordan Ballpark Frank commercial.
Global warming my ass.
Re:Standby and get ready! (Score:4, Funny)
Adrian Cronauer: Excuse me, sir. Seeing as how the V.P. is such a V.I.P., shouldn't we keep the P.C. on the Q.T.? 'Cause if it leaks to the V.C. he could end up M.I.A., and then we'd all be put out in K.P.
First "Spotless Month"? - Ah, the great change... (Score:3, Funny)
I guess this had to happen eventually - the Sun, mother to our own Mother Earth, is having a "spotless" month - the great change is upon her. It can be a difficult adjustment - but it is, after all, a part of life...
Re:Actually... (Score:3, Funny)
No, the problem is obviously Windows Vista, with it's new and improved AeroGlass user interface. "Sunspots are making changes to your system! [Allow] [Cancel]?"
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:1, Funny)
She sounds like a witch. BURN HER!
Re:Every time *I* miss a month... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:3, Funny)
It's interesting you say that. There's supposed to be a awesome party afterwards... but it wont last.
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:2, Funny)
Yeah, those big engine cars really affect those sunspots adversely. Damn Hummers...
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:3, Funny)
I know this is Slashdot, the realm of the overly pedantic
I believe the more correct term would be "excessively". ;)
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:3, Funny)
If the entire east coast of America is submerged under the sea, the world isn't ended, now is it?
sounds good to me! Westside for life!
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:3, Funny)
So, the mankind fends for itself, just like it has for eons, but all the religious zealots will be gone. Is there anything I can do to speed up the Rapture?
Re:The real reason this is News for Nerds (Score:5, Funny)
So, the mankind fends for itself, just like it has for eons, but all the religious zealots will be gone. Is there anything I can do to speed up the Rapture?
Paint "666" on your forehead, marry someone of your own gender, and vote for the Democratic Party.