Re: Maybe we should look at the Sun more?



In article <Xw70f.120690$G8.75453@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Brian Gaff" <Briang1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I cannot help but wonder if all this talk of Shuttle life expectancy, Moon
> landings etc, is not ignoring one problem we seem to have..
>
> Namely, here we are heading off toward solar minimum, and we have big
> sunspots appearing and hurling matter out all over the place. If humans are
> going to be living outside of the Earth's protective magnetosphere, there
> seems some urgent work to be done on protection from this hazard.
>
> Also, it has yet to be explained how the Sun can reverse its magnetic field
> so often, in time, and why its output is growing steadily.
>
> Are we really sure we understand solar evolution enough to be sure the Earth
> will in fact remain habitable as land as originally predicted?
>
> Lots of questions come to mind here, and none seem to have satisfactory
> answers, probably due to our short existence when compared to that of a
> star.

Brian--perhaps you would be interested in learning more about
the National Solar Observatory located in, where else, Sun Spot,
New Mexico. They watch the sun all day long, and around the
clock with partner observatories. They are interested in learning
more about all the questions that you pose.

-john-

--
======================================================================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708 john@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
======================================================================
.



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