Solar Influence on Earth's Climate |
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Authors: | Marsh Nigel Svensmark Henrik |
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Institution: | 1.Danish Space Research Institute, Juliane Maries Vej 30, DK-2100, Copenhagen ?, Denmark ; |
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Abstract: | An increasing number of studies indicate that variations in solar activity have had a significant influence on Earth's climate.
However, the mechanisms responsible for a solar influence are still not known. One possibility is that atmospheric transparency
is influenced by changing cloud properties via cosmic ray ionisation (the latter being modulated by solar activity). Support
for this idea is found from satellite observations of cloud cover. Such data have revealed a striking correlation between
the intensity of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and low liquid clouds (<3.2 km). GCR are responsible for nearly all ionisation
in the atmosphere below 35 km. One mechanism could involve ion-induced formation of aerosol particles (diameter range, 0.001–1.0
μm) that can act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). A systematic variation in the properties of CCN will affect the cloud
droplet distribution and thereby influence the radiative properties of clouds. If the GCR-Cloud link is confirmed variations
in galactic cosmic ray flux, caused by changes in solar activity and the space environment, could influence Earth's radiation
budget.
This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | climate GCR sun |
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