The rise and fall of the Sun's activity

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astronomy; (USA)

OSTI ID:5918939

Kanipe, J; Talcott, R; Burnham, R

Variations in the Sun's luminosity have been documented by the Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor, ACRIM, flown on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite in 1980. The ACRIM data indicate that the Sun's output varies by only 0.1 percent. One surprising result of the ACRIM experiment is the direct correlation between sunspots and solar luminosity. It was determined that more sunspots meant a brighter Sun. How do these variations affect climate According to climatologist, a one percent drop in solar output is sufficient to cause an average 1.5 degree C drop in global temperature. Even a decrease or increase as little as 0.1 percent would, over a prolonged time, significantly influence world climate by prompting an ice age or an extended drought.

• OSTI ID: 5918939
• Journal Information: Astronomy; (USA), Journal Name: Astronomy; (USA) Vol. 16:10; ISSN ASTRD; ISSN 0091-6358
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110
640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BRIGHTNESS
CLIMATES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA ANALYSIS
EARTH PLANET
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
RADIOMETERS
SATELLITES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR CYCLE
SOLAR RADIATION
STARS
STARSPOTS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR RADIATION
SUNSPOTS
VARIATIONS