Low level cloud formation has been linked to sunspot activity, but it seems to be a delayed effect. More solar activity (i.e. sunspots etc.) increases the solar wind (which protects us from cosmic rays) and decreases the cosmic ray flux on earth. Low solar activity decreases the solar wind and allows more cosmic rays to reach our atmosphere. Low level cloud formation has been linked to cosmic ray flux, i.e. the more cosmic rays the more clouds. "Solar Cycle 24 is expected to peak in June 2013 with a below-average number of sunspots, the lowest of any cycle since 1928. "We find a starting time of August 2008 with minimum occurring in November or December 2008 and maximum of about 64 in June of 2013." NOTE: A low number of sunspots does not mean weaker solar flares, just less occurring." Dec 6, 2010 Update NASA Solar Physics / Marshall Space Flight Center -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Robert Taylor Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2010 10:24 AM To: 'Utah Astronomy' Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Weather Nothing scientific but I've noted in recent years that the number of cloudy nights has seemed to increase, even in the summer. However 3 or 4 years is not a trend, it's a variation, an anomaly. Let's keep our fingers crossed for 2011. However I think (educated guess) 2011 will continue the variation or trend. I hope I'm wrong. Let's see what your logs say after this coming year. Bob -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Jay Eads Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 12:22 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Weather Patrick, Since November 5th, I have counted 8 possible visual observing days if one accepted the high humidity that went with several of those opportunities. Monday night wasn't too bad. It has not been a good couple of months especially with missing the lunar eclipse. I hope with you that 2011 is an improvement . . . but I know the next several days aren't going to help 2010. On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 12:19 AM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>wrote:
With the year drawing to a close I pulled out my observing log and calculated how many nights were good enough weather-wise for me to take data this year. Worked out to 138.
Just for the heck of it I then compared that to the number of nights I was able to take data in the past few years.
2007: 157 2008: 187 2009: 169 2010: 138
No doubt climatologists will say 3 years do not make a tend but I be lying if I said the downward trend the past three years didn't concern me.
Here's hoping 2011 will be better.
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
-- Jay Eads _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com