One step closer to "space climate" forecasting
Dübendorf, 28.11.2012 - The Sun determines the course of the planets. But the planets may also exert an influence on the Sun. Their configurations appear to be responsible for long-term cycles of increased solar activity. Scientists at Eawag and the ETH Zurich, in collaboration with colleagues from Spain and Australia, have compared cycles of solar magnetic activity over the past 10,000 years – as reconstructed from ice cores – with the action of the planets. The agreement observed is very striking, raising hopes that our ability to forecast periods of intense solar activity may ultimately be improved. This is becoming increasingly important as our society is ever-more dependent on technologies such as satellite communications and navigation systems – as well as power grids – which can be disabled by major solar eruptions.