Severe Geomagnetic Storm Research Project:

Sorry for copying and pasting this info. here but I am not sure if this has anything to do with the solar flares. Therefore, I want to include it as material for our research, just in case we are able to find something about it.
The thread was started by Loam www.abovetopsecret.com...
and I find it highly interesting:


Minnesota has been looking into a bird mystery since the discovery of at least 50 songbirds found floating dead in Lake Superior in early September.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) collected the 50 dead songbirds from 200 to 800 yards off shore in an eight-mile stretch of the Lake Superior between Grand Marais and the Brule River mouth.

The birds were primarily Swainson's thrushes, white-throated sparrows and a number of warblers. The DNR noted that record numbers of songbirds were reported at Hawk Ridge, at Duluth, Minn., on Sept. 7.

The DNR doubts that either disease or poisons are involved.

"Apparently, the bird kill was caused by a weather phenomenon," said Dave Ingebrigtsen, DNR's wildlife manager in Grand Marais. "A disease outbreak would not affect such large numbers over such a short time span. Pollution or contaminant exposure is not a likely cause of this mortality, because of the lack of any identifiable potent source."

One possible cause would be winds and weather conditions. The DNR noted that if the landed in the water, they wouldn't be able to take off again. It also stated that there were some strong wind gusts to 40 miles per hour. They called it a "lake wind effect" which may have caught the birds in the early morning hours.
more...

Furthermore, the same thread includes a very, very interesting post written by jeepin4x4girl...
I was googling to find something on this odd behavior of blackbirds, but to no avail. I witnessed a similar experience the other day. As I was leaving to go to the mall, I stepped outside and heard a ruckus in the trees, I would say about 1,000 or more blackbirds were flying back and forth, seeming to be unsettled, scared, worried, they flew back and forth, thousands of them, from branch to branch, the whole flock traveled back and forth making such a racket. Some of them dove right into each other, thus knocking themselves to the ground. Also, some of them drove right into the trees.

This whole ordeal went on for about maybe 20 minutes, unusually long, and unusually weird behavior for any kind of bird species I've seen.
When I returned home I checked the ground and there were many dead blackbirds on the ground below the trees where they plunged to their death.

This really got me to start thinking there really is something seriously wrong going on. What it is, I don't know.
_______

I think this deserves looking carefully into the matter..

BULLETIN
HURRICANE RITA ADVISORY NUMBER 13
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
5 PM EDT TUE SEP 20 2005

...RITA PASSING SOUTH OF KEY WEST...MOVING INTO THE SOUTHEASTERN
GULF OF MEXICO...

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 100 MPH...160 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. RITA IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE.
SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
NOAA

Tonight's Global Tropical Weather Roundup

Hurricane Rita enters the Gulf of Mexico


Tropical Storm Phillipe heads to the central Atlantic


Hurricane Max turns west and heads towards Hawaii


Tropical Storm on it's way to Hawaii


Hurricane Jova nears Hawaii


Tropical Storm zeros in on Iwo Jima


Tropical Storm Damrey to head for the South China Sea


Dramatic increase in tropical activity after solar storms have quieted,
which indicates there is relationship that solar storms occuring prior to tropical activity.

SOLAR WIND At 03:46 UT 09/20/05
Speed:351 km/s
Density:3.05 p/cm3

Still some minor proton levels: This will equate to increased electrical
discharges in these tropical and severe weather systems.

Outlook for solar flare activity is quiet.
The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet on September 21-23.

DATA FROM RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT RITA HAS REACHED
CATEGORY FIVE INTENSITY WITH ESTIMATED MAXIMUM SUSTAINED SURFACE
WINDS OF 165 MPH. THIS WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE 4 PM CDT ADVISORY.

NOAA

Local6 news

Dozens of people from Jacksonville to Ft. Pierce flooded the U.S. Coast Guard late Tuesday with calls about a mysterious ball of fire seen flying in the sky, according to a Local 6 News report.

Experts said it could be a piece of space junk or a large meteor burning up in the atmosphere.


Interesting

Hurricane Rita
0900 UTC 9/22/2005

Rita is the third most intense hurrricane ever as the pressure bottomed out at about 897mb. Rita has likely peaked in intensity as the latest satellite imagery shows a restriction of the outflow and someshear. Any weakening should be very gradual and Rita is likely to remain at least a category 4 until landfall.

The motion has slowed significantly during the past day, meaning that the turn will occur sooner than anticipated. The ridge still remains in place over Texas, but it is not quite as large as it was before and does not extend as far to the east. Model guidance has also shifted to the north, indicating a landfall closer to the Galveston area.

Tropical Storm Stan?
Latest GFS model runs indicates Stan forming in the central Atlantic.


Geomagnetic field has started fluctuating more than it has over the last few days, and auroral activity has increased (level 8 n = 0.83 )
sec.noaa.gov...
geo.phys.uit.no...

Comsic rays are almost back to normal levels.
cr0.izmiran.rssi.ru...

Solar Wind: 347 km/s at 3.1 protons/cm3

Pacific Northwest Rumbles

Mount St . Helens as well does Oregon, Utah Idaho have been siemically active in the last couple days.
•Magnitude 2.7 - MOUNT ST. HELENS AREA, WASHINGTON
2005 September 21 11:51:45 UTC
•Magnitude 2.6 - MOUNT ST. HELENS AREA, WASHINGTON
2005 September 21 13:42:08 UTC
•Magnitude 3.1 - SOUTHERN IDAHO
2005 September 22 05:19:53 UTC
•Magnitude 2.9 - UTAH
2005 September 22 07:12:47 UTC


[edit on 22-9-2005 by Regenmacher]

Quake Swarm in California

Largest so far:
1:24:48 PM (PDT) on Thursday, September 22, 2005.
The magnitude 4.7 event occurred 4 km (3 miles) WSW of Mettler, CA.



quake.usgs.gov...

Interesting to note electron flux is dropping suddenly too.



sec.noaa.gov...

[edit on 22-9-2005 by Regenmacher]

Interesting to note that this current solar cycle* has commenced at the same time a new period of increased tropical storm activity did.

Max Mayfield to Congress: Expect More Hurricanes
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Expect more hurricanes large and small in the next 10 to 20 years, the director of the federal National Hurricane
Center said Tuesday.

Max Mayfield told a congressional panel that he believes the Atlantic Ocean is in a cycle of increased hurricane activity that parallels an increase that started in the 1940s and ended in the 1960s.

The ensuing lull lasted until 1995, then "it's like somebody threw a switch," Mayfield said. The number and power of hurricanes increased dramatically.
_________________

A graphical comparison of solar cycles 2, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 23
*Cycle 23 started in May 1996 with the monthly SSN at 8.0 and peaked in April 2000 at 120.8.



Solar Cycle 18: began in February 1944 with a smoothed sunspot number of 7.7 and ended in April 1954.




[edit on 23-9-2005 by Regenmacher]

Magnitude 7.5 - NORTHERN PERU
2005 September 26 01:55:34 UTC
Depth 85.4 km (53.1 miles)
A deep quake and third strongest quake of the year.

earthquake.usgs.gov...



GOES Magnetometer dipped around the same time the quake went off.



Electron flux dropped too.
____________________

LIMA, Peru - So far 5 people were reported killed.

Peru's Geophysics Institute said the quake struck at 8:55 p.m. and was centered about 60 miles northeast of the jungle city Moyobamba, 420 miles north of the capital Lima. About 20 houses had collapsed and that four people were dead.










[edit on 25-9-2005 by Regenmacher]

Recent Solar Activity

The geomagnetic field was inactive to unsettled on September 25. Solar wind speed ranged between 285 and 399 (all day average 334) km/sec. An unexpected disturbance began at about 10h UTC. This disturbance has an unknown source and has been observed with unusual changes in solar wind speed, density and temperature.

Forecast

The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet to active on September 26, quiet to unsettled on September 27-28 and become unsettled to active on September 29-30 due to a high speed stream from CH189.

Looks like old sol is waking back up...

This might explain the atypical readings in the solar wind speed lately and the unsettled geomagnetic field.

SOLAR PROMINENCE: Astronomers are monitoring a gigantic prominence on the sun--"the largest I've imaged in several years," says veteran astrophotographer Jack Newton. Two days ago it bent into an arch large enough for the whole planet Earth to slip through, as shown in this picture from Stefan Seip of Stuttgart, Germany.



more images here:
www.spaceweather.com...

Solar wind density is still significantly above average. I am scratching my head here and stumped at what is causing this anomaly. I usually can come up with a logical answer or get close...but this is really strange.

SOLAR WIND At 12:44 UT
Speed: 349 km/s Density: 8.08 p/cm3

On September, the 7th of the year 2005, a MEGA SOLAR FLARE class X17 was a surprise for all of us, scientists and non-scientists. (see info. Published) Produced by the old region 10790, it was one of the largest flare ever recorded.

volcano.und.edu..." target='_blank' class='tabOff'/>
Picture source: Volcano

The purpose of our Severe Geomagnetic Storm Research Project (started on September, the 2nd) is to check the solar activity and compare it with all major events on earth (for instance, hurricanes, quakes, floodings, etc.) in order to prove their relation and to determine if there is a way to predict the danger, to at least, be prepared before - something - happens.

Therefore, when this mega solar flare occured, the Research Team decided to investigate it... And here, in relation with all the activity since the mega flare took place, is our FIRST REPORT, VOLCANOES:

volcano.und.edu..." target='_blank' class='tabOff'/>
Picture source: Volcano

Mount Arteale, Ethiopia.
26 September a 5.5 quake, which struck the remote region of Afar, about 980km northeast of the capital on Saturday, was followed by the severe volcanic eruption of Mount Arteale, Ethiopia's only active volcano which has been largely dormant for the past six decades.
Molten lava spewed from the volcano, thick blankets of ash and plumes of smoke, etc.
Source: News24.com

Cayambe – Ecuador. 16-19 September – Cluster of small earhquakes (> 300)
Source: Instituto Geofisico-Escuela Politecnica Nacional

Colima – México September, 16th - Explosion & ash plume to ~9.8 km (32,000 ft)
18-19 September, seven small explosions occurred.
- and ongoing –
Source: Universidad de Colima, Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, Associated Press

Ebeko, Kuril Islands, Russia.
9-16 September. Strong fumarolic activity at the crater. Color Code: Yellow.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team

Karymsky, Kamchatka, Russia
9-16 September. Seismic signals associated with possible small ash-and-gas plumes, as well as a thermal anomaly, visible at the volcano on satellite imagery.
Color Code Orange. - and ongoing –
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team

Kilauea, Hawaii – USA
14 September the Volcano is showing more vitality and vigor.
The coastal flat is still bare of visible lava.
14-19 September, lava into the sea & surface lava visible on the Pulama Pali fault scarp.
19 September, several small shallow earthquakes along Kao`iki fault system.
22 September: more activity. A string of breakouts, not just a couple of spots. Pu`u `O`o's crater hosts 6 incandescent vents, all visible this morning. Background volcanic tremor is about normal at Kilauea's summit. Volcanic tremor is at a moderate level at Pu`u `O`o. Kilauea's summit has been inflating for most of the past 24 hours and has gained about 1.1 microradians since midday September 20. Pu`u `O`o, in contrast, is slowly deflating, albeit in its typical jagged fashion.
- and ongoing –
Sources: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory , USGS

Kliuchevskoi, Kamchatka, Russia
9-16 September: increase in seismicity changing Color Code from Green to Yellow. The amplitude of volcanic tremor at the volcano increased. Weak gas-and-steam emissions and a thermal anomaly were visible on satellite imagery during the week.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team
- and ongoing –

Reventador, Ecuador.
1 and 2 September, lahars traveled down Reventador's flanks.
5-11 September, decrease in seismicity at Reventador, except for tremor.
13 and 15 September, pilots report ash clouds at a height of ~7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l.
Sources: Instituto Geofisico-Escuela Poltecnica Nacional, Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center

Santa Ana, (Ilamatepec) El Salvador
11 September: stepping up emergency preparations after a study by experts indicated that the volcano is likely to erupt soon.
15-19 September, seismicity and gas emissions above normal levels (since 27 July). Microseismicity at relatively high levels, gas plumes, sulfur-dioxide flux reached a maximum of 3,320 metric tons per day on 16 September. Incandescence visible inside some cracks. Santa Ana remained at Alert Level Yellow Phase 1.
17 September: increased levels of activity since the 27th of August and is increasing.
Hundreds of small earthquakes, increase in water temperature at the volcanic lake, magma closer to the surface...
Evacuation simulations for the population living near to the Volcano.
Shelters have been opened.
Sources: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET), Yahoo news,
John Seach , Volcanolive

Shiveluch, Kamchatka, Russia
9-16 September: growth of Shiveluch's lava dome. Incandescence, gas-and-steam plumes, large thermal anomaly Color Code Orange.
23 September. Eruption started
The first gas and ash eruptions were registered Thursday and reached 7.5 kilometers above sea level.
A 15km-long stream of lava descended the slopes of the volcano on Friday at 3.00 a.m. Moscow time (11 p.m. Thursday GMT)
- and ongoing-
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team

Soufriere Hills, Montserrat, West Indies
9-16 September with activity at elevated levels during. Lava-dome growth, steam & sulfur-dioxide flux.
Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory

Spurr, Southern Alaska, USA
9-16 September, seismicity above background levels, but with several indications that the level of unrest was declining. Color Code Yellow.
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory

Mount St. Helens, USA
(Alert Level 2); aviation color code Orange.
11 September : growth of the new lava dome inside the, low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. Lahars that could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.
Current Activity
14-19 September: growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued, low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. Northern part of the lava dome moving westward.
Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory

Tungurahua, Ecuador
14-19 September, volcanic at low levels with small emissions of steam, gas, and variable ash content.
14 September, a steam column with little ash reached a height of ~300 m above the crater .
Source: Instituto Geofisico-Escuela Politecnica Nacional
- and ongoing. –

Veniaminof, Alaska Peninsula, USA
Minor ash emission. Possible ash plumes confined to the summit caldera.
Color Code Yellow.
Sources: Alaska Volcano Observatory

Cotopaxi, Ecuador
29 August to 4 September, decrease of long-period and hybrid earthquake. Increase of volcano-tectonic earthquakes
Source: Instituto Geofisico-Escuela Politecnica Nacional

Nyiragongo, Dem. Rep. Of Congo
7 September, thin plume emitted (not confirmed by other types of data).
Source: Toulouse VAAC

Pacaya, Guatemala
7-11 September, occasional Strombolian activity. Volcanic bombs emitted from two craters, incandescence from lava flows.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meterologia, e Hidrologia

Santa María, Guatemala
7-11 September, small-to-moderate explosions, plumes a dozen pyroclastic flows & avalanches of volcanic material.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meterologia, e Hidrologia
- and ongoing.-

Indonesia
Merapi Volcano is in alert level 2 with thick grey-white emissions.
Talang Volcano es in livel 2 alert. Emissions from the main and south craters.
Anak Krakatau remains at level 2 alert. B volcanic earthqueakes increased.
Pandayan Volcano is in level 2 alert. Volcanic earthqueakes decreased.
Semeru Volcano remains at level 2 alert. With emissions.
Source: Volcanolive

Volcano of Fire, Mexico
28 September: small eruption scattering ash onto adjacent towns,
Clouds obscured the plume of gas and ash triggered by the eruption
Source: Sfgate.com

Other sources used for this report:
Volcano World
Msnbc news
John Seach Website
Volcanolive Philippines
abovetopsecret.com


We would like to add the following: since the mega flare took place, (that we know), 25 volcanoes in the world increased there activity and/or started to erupt. Isn´t it something to think about?

X-flares and Earth Centered Impact Locations
2005/09/07 17:40:00 X17. Central America
2005/09/08 21:06:00 X5.4 Eastern Pacific
2005/09/09 03:00:00 X1.2 Western Pacific
2005/09/09 09:59:00 X3.6 Eastern Africa
2005/09/09 20:04:00 X6.2 Eastern Pacific
2005/09/10 16:43:00 X1.1 Central America
2005/09/10 22:00:00 X2.1 Central Pacific
2005/09/13 19:27:00 X1.5 Eastern Pacific
2005/09/13 23:22:00 X1.7 Central Pacific
2005/09/15 08:38:00 X1.1 Middle East

Links for above data:
www.fourmilab.ch...
www.lmsal.com...
__________________________________

Current Synopsis

The most noticable increase was in the Eastern Pacific tropical weather activity, which is where the majority of X-class flares where directed. This activity would suggest the Madden Julian Oscillation had shifted in favor of more Pacific storm development and has extended the India's monsoon season.

Also abundant precipitation in these regions will increase earthquake potentials due ground saturation and changing levels in aquifers.

Tropical Storm Activity

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Hurricane OPHELIA____06-18 SEP Cat 1
Hurricane PHILIPPE___17-24 SEP Cat 1
Hurricane RITA_______18-26 SEP Cat 5

Eastern Pacific:*
Hurricane JOVA_______12-24 SEP Cat 3
Hurricane KENNETH____14-29 SEP Cat 4
Tropical Storm LIDIA_17-19 SEP TS
Hurricane MAX________18-22 SEP Cat 1
Tropical Storm NORMA_23-27 SEP TS
Tropical Storm OTIS__28-29 SEP TS

Western Pacific:
Typhoon SAOLA___________20-26 SEP Cat 2
Typhoon DAMREY__________21-27 SEP Cat 2
Super Typhoon LONGWANG__25-29 SEP Cat 4

Monsoon Information

India: rains may wash off 40% ginger output
The Indian Spice and Foodstuff Exporters Association has predicted a 40 per cent fall in production of ginger due to this year’s heavy rains and water logging in ginger growing fields. source

Heavy rain lashes city; more in store, says IMD
The sudden heavy downpour, which started around 4 pm, lasted for more than an hour and resulted in thousands being stranded in different parts of the city as they had come unprepared for the shower.

‘‘The sudden rain and thunderstorm occurred due to the interaction of the retreading moist South West Monsoon winds and the dry North West and Northerly winds in the lower troposphere over Konkan,’’ said India Meteorological Department Director (Weather Forecasting) S K Prasad. He added that the city may experience more rains in the next 36 to 48 hours as a low pressure area had been formed in the central Bay of Bengal, which was moving northward. ‘‘There may be more rainfall due to the low pressure area after 36 hours,’’ he said. expressindia.com

Rains brightens wheat crop prospects in coming Rabi season
Late monsoon rains have brightened the prospects of the coming Rabi crops (winter crops) and the wheat production next season (2005-06) in India, set to cross the benchmark of past several years at 76 million tonnes. webindia123.com (Where there is disaster, there is also a blessing)

Madden Julian Oscillation Information



CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP
September 19, 2005

Synopsis: The MJO is expected to remain weak to moderate for the next 1-2 weeks.

The MJO was weak during most of June, July, and August but in early September, the MJO has shown signs of becoming more active.

The MJO is expected to remain weak to moderate for the next 1-2 weeks (Fig. 5). During week 1, potential benefits/hazards in the global tropics associated with the MJO signal include an increased chance of above average rainfall across Central America, eastern Mexico, western Gulf Coast and Southeast Asia due to the enhanced phase of the MJO. On the other hand, an increased chance of below average rainfall exists across the eastern Indian Ocean and across Indonesia due to the suppressed phase of the MJO. Several areas of an increased chance of above average tropical cyclone activity are expected as a result of the current MJO signal. These include regions in the western Pacific, eastern Pacific, and the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. In addition, Tropical cyclones Jova, Kenneth, Lidia, and Max will impact the central/eastern Pacific Ocean and Hurricane’s Philippe and Rita will affect the Florida Keys, Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico, and the western Gulf Coast during week 1.

During week 2, there is an increased chance of above (below) average rainfall across west central Africa and the western Indian Ocean (the eastern Indian Ocean and Indonesia) associated with the continued evolution of the MJO. Also, there is a possibility of above average rainfall across eastern areas of Southeast Asia, the Philippines and the far western Pacific and a elevated chance of tropical cyclone activity in the western Pacific. The uncertainty is high, however, in these regions during week 2. cpc.ncep.noaa.gov


[edit on 29-9-2005 by Regenmacher]

In relation with the previous report on Volcanoes, I would like to add the following information:

According to John Seach:
About 50-60 volcanoes erupt every year.
20-30 are effusive (lava flows), 20-30 are explosive

This means that 25 active volcanoes after the solar flares (in less than 1 month) is a very significant amount and, therefore, we should consider that solar flares affects the earth´s- volcanoes - .

We will continue with our research in other fields.

We aren't the only ones puzzled by the recent solar phenomena.

Study: Sun's Changes to Blame for Part of Global Warming
Increased output from the Sun might be to blame for 10 to 30 percent of global warming that has been measured in the past 20 years, according to a new report.
www.livescience.com...

Scientists Clueless over Sun's Effect on Earth
Reports in the late 1980s found the amount of sunlight reaching the planet's surface had declined by 4 to 6 percent since 1960. Suddenly, around 1990, that appears to have reversed.
www.livescience.com...

Solar Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet October 3-8, some unsettled intervals are possible on October 5 due to effects from CH190. A high speed stream from CH191 could arrive on October 9 and cause unsettled to active conditions until October 11 becoming quiet to unsettled on October 12.

Sun still rather quiet....that old spot 798 or 808 (spot gets a new number per rotation) was on the backside the 28th, and may reappear in 3 days bringing it to a geoeffective postion in 9-10 days.


soi.stanford.edu...

[edit on 3-10-2005 by Regenmacher]

Sunspot 798 or 808 makes an re-appearance over the western limb and solar flare activity is increasing.



A new sunpsot (right of 10798) is region 10813 that emerged on October 3. This region has developed quickly and is currently compact with mixed polarities. M class flares are possible.


birght spot on far left is old 798, dimmer spot to the right of it is new sunspot 813

sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov...

Forecast
The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly quiet October 5-7, some unsettled intervals are possible on October 5 due to effects from CH190. A high speed stream from CH191 will likely arrive on October 8 and cause quiet to active conditions until October 10.

Deadspot:Last month giant sunspot 798 treked across the face of the sun,
and this spot made Sept. 2005 the most active solar month in almost 15 years.

Now it's back - sort of - all that's left of the region is "solar faculae."



Currently: A high speed stream from coronal hole 191 has increased solar wind speed to 646+ km/s and is causing unsettled geomagnetic conditions. This should persist until the 10th of October.



As the geomagnetic activivity increased,
numerous large earthquakes have hit Pakistan:
Mag 5.6 2005/10/08 05:26:06 PAKISTAN
Mag 5.6 2005/10/08 05:19:49 PAKISTAN
Mag 5.4 2005/10/08 05:08:42 PAKISTAN
Mag 5.9 2005/10/08 04:26:13 PAKISTAN
Mag 7.6 2005/10/08 03:50:39 PAKISTAN
Casualties could be enormous, entire villages may have been leveled.
earthquake.usgs.gov...

Not much going on with solar weather lately, but thought I would check in
so you know I didn't fall asleep under the lab desk.

El Sol remains quiet: Solar activity is very low. Solar flares and auroras are unlikely this week.
Solar Wind speed: 416.2 km/s density: 2.5 protons/cm3



CH191 (dark area- upper middle): A solar wind stream flowing
a coronal hole might buffet Earth's magnetic field briefly on Oct. 14th.

Setting the record straight | Blame the sun?
The problem is, no one has been able to figure out how minuscule changes in sunlight could raise temperatures significantly. Of the 1.2-degree increase in average global temperatures over the past century, less than 15 percent can be blamed on changes in the sun, the newest estimates say.