The Sun's Magnetic Field Flip #
- The sun's magnetic field flips every 11 years.
- This flip involves a change from a dipole field with poles aligned with Earth's to a more irregular, reversed orientation.
- The flip happens gradually over a period of 2-5 years.
- This is directly related to the 11 year sunspot cycle.
Potential Effects on Earth #
- This flip may lead to an increase in sunspots and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
- CMEs can disrupt Earth's magnetic field and power grids.
- A recent CME in May 2024 was rated G5, the highest rating for geomagnetic storms affecting the public.
- However, most engineers are aware of the Carrington Event and have designed systems to be more resilient to such events.
Impact of Solar Activity on Climate #
- Some speculate that the sun entering a Grand Solar Minimum could lead to global cooling, but this is a theory with no solid scientific basis.
- The Milankovitch cycles, orbital perturbations on timescales of hundreds of thousands of years, are not related to the sunspot cycle.
- While pollution is harmful, it's not appropriate to use "icky" as a foundation for relevant public policy when natural sources account for 2/3 of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Navigating the Sun #
- The idea of a Sun compass relies on the sun's magnetic field, which is weak on Earth.
- While the Sun might be a challenge for navigation due to its constant "high noon" position, it doesn't mean it's impossible.
- However, the real challenges of navigating the Sun involve heat, radiation, and gravity.
Alternative Theories on the Sun's Magnetic Field #
- A theory proposed by Dr. Robitaille suggests that the Sun is composed of metallic hydrogen, which forms a lattice, and that sunspots are non-hydrogen elements that are excluded from this lattice.
- However, this theory is highly convoluted and untestable.
- Many experts agree that Dr. Robitaille is a retired radiologist with no background in astrophysics.
Top Quotes #
"Pumping CO2 into the atmosphere would then be the best thing to do to stave off this scenario."
"It's not a story about the end of the earth. It's a story about a regular recurring solar phenomenon."
"The sentiment captures the essence of the human pursuit of knowledge..."
"I am not an expert but boy does that feel right based on the available evidence that I’ve seen."
Summary #
This Hacker News thread discusses the forthcoming flip in the Sun's magnetic field, which is a regular occurrence tied to the 11-year sunspot cycle. While the flip is a natural phenomenon, there are concerns about its potential effects on Earth, particularly with regard to CMEs and their impact on power grids. The thread also delves into the complex debate surrounding the role of solar activity in climate change, with users discussing potential impacts of a Grand Solar Minimum and the ongoing debate about human-induced climate change. The thread concludes with discussions on navigating the Sun, highlighting the challenges posed by its extreme conditions, and presenting some alternative theories about the Sun's magnetic field, which are generally met with skepticism from experts.