Sunspots spark climate change

Times of India , Saturday, August 29, 2009
Correspondent : REUTERS
SINGAPORE: Small changes in the Sun’s energy output can have a major impact on global weather patterns, such as the intensity of the Indian monsoon, that could be predicted years in advance, scientists said.

The Sun swings through an 11-year cycle measured in the number of Sunspots on the surface that emit bursts of energy. The difference in energy is only about 0.1% between a solar maximum and minimum and determining just how that small variation affects the world’s climate has been one of the great challenges facing meteorologists.

Using a century of weather observations and complex computer models, the international team of scientists led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research in US showed that even a small increase in the Sun’s energy can intensify wind and rainfall patterns.

“Here we reconcile for the first time the mechanisms by which these small variations get amplified, resulting in cooler sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and enhancing off-equatorial rainfall”, said Julie Arblaster, from the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, a co-author of the study.

The Indian monsoon is largely driven by rising and sinking air in the tropics and subtropics. Solar-cycle predictions could help meteorologists estimate how those circulation patterns, changes in sea surface temperatures and weather patterns might vary.

 
SOURCE : Saturday, August 29, 2009
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us