Examining SORCE data shows the Sun continues its slide toward somnolence

25 04 2009

Guest post by Guillermo Gonzalez

I recently happened upon the SORCE/TIM website and decided to look up the plot of the full total solar irradiance (TSI) dataset (http://lasp.colorado.edu/sorce/data/tsi_data.htm#plots)

guillermo_image1

SORCE TSI since 2003 - Click for a larger image

The SORCE mission began collecting TSI data in February 2003.

I was curious to see if the variations in the TSI had begun to rise yet, perhaps indicating a start to cycle 24. Visual inspection of the SORCE TSI plot showed just the opposite – variations continue to decline in amplitude. If cycle 24 has started, there are no signs of it in these data.

We can be a bit more quantitative if we examine, instead, a plot of TSI variance with time. I produced such a plot using the daily average TSI data provided on the SORCE web site. Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 434 Comments »

Categories : Science, solar

Waxman bribes Mr. Gene Green? – private deal “allowances” if Dems will vote for cap and trade bill

25 04 2009

It seems our future is being bargained away for a few pieces of silver as this passage from the article indicates. Those of you that have an interest in this, now is the time to write and call your U.S. representative. – Anthony

While Shimkus acknowledged that closed-door negotiating was “just a way of doing business” in Congress, he said offering emission allowances for votes may take the process beyond ethical boundaries.

From the Washington Examiner: To get votes, Waxman offers cap-and-trade breaks

By: Susan Ferrechio

Chief Congressional Correspondent

04/23/09

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., has led efforts to entice votes for the Democratic energy bill by giving some oil refineries favorite treatment in the cap and trade system.

In exchange for votes to pass a controversial global warming package, Democratic leaders are offering some lawmakers generous emission “allowances” to protect their districts from the economic pain of pollution restrictions.

Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, represents a district with several oil refineries, a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions. He also serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which must approve the global warming plan backed by President Barack Obama.

Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 87 Comments »

Categories : carbon credits, politics

Antarctica’s Bipolar Disorder

25 04 2009

Guest post by Steven Goddard

Two days ago I questioned how Antarctic ice could be both “melting faster than expected” and “expanding” at the same time.  Yet (as WUWT has noted before) the answer is obvious – according to NASA, most of Antarctica is both cooling rapidly and heating rapidly at the same time.

Antarctic Temperature Trend 1982-2004
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=6502
Read the rest of this entry »


Comments : 109 Comments »

Categories : Antarctic