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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jupiter’s orbit object of research

Randy Mann

As mentioned in a previous article, solar activity, or storms on the sun’s surface, has been minimal. The sun did, however, show signs of possibly coming to life in June and early July. As many as 20 sunspots were reported during that period, which many thought was the beginning of a new “solar maxima” cycle. Since July 11, however, sunspot activity has returned to zero for August.

In August 2008, the entire month was void of solar storms. Based on the current information, we may see a repeat of last year with no sunspot activity for August.

Since Jan. 1, there have been 179 days without sunspots. There have been 690 days without solar storms since 2004. A typical solar minimum cycle is approximately 485 days.

New research shows there may be a correlation between the lack of solar storms and the orbit of Jupiter. That large planet has a powerful magnetic field that moves inside the sun’s even more powerful magnetic field that reaches beyond the planet Neptune. Based on long-term data, when Jupiter is nearest to the sun, the number of solar storms, or sunspots, usually becomes very low. Many scientists believe that Jupiter is not the primary cause of sunspot activity, but it “twists the solar magnetic field in ways that affects them.”

Jupiter’s orbit is currently moving closer to the sun, which may be contributing to the lack of sunspot activity. Based on long-term historical data, we are expected to continue to go into a period of stronger global cooling. However, with the increase in carbon dioxide, it will be interesting to see just how much cooling will occur. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.

August has certainly been a month of extremes. A very hot 101 degrees was recorded at Spokane International Airport on Aug. 1. By Aug. 14, the high temperature was a cool 64. Averaging the temperatures, we’re only 0.5 degrees below normal. Rainfall totals are above average levels across the region. At the airport, 0.63 inches has fallen for this month, which is about 0.3 above the monthly normal.

The recent rains helped lower the high fire danger levels. That was certainly good news for residents of a rather parched Inland Northwest. I see generally dry and warm weather through the last week of August. Temperatures should start cooling with increasing showers shortly after Labor Day.