Originally posted by Scooby Doo
I don't know if there is anything different with summer 2009, but I do know that there have been a lot of reported sun spots. This may be the reason for the recent weather troubles.

There have been 17 which is not a lot. Its a small cluster and it needs to be watched to determine if this is a just a minor event. If its not a minor event, then the Sun is finally emerging from its deep solar minimum and returning to "normal".

Spaceweather.com is a good source for updates.

You're luck you have a pool i didn't take a shower outside of my house in nearly 10 years New york sucks.

I completely agree!! Im usually used to the sun and often visit hot countries but a few days ago I was lying in the garden at home in England and I was only out for about an hour and my whole body was burnt and soar. I must say I have never experienced this level of sunburn in cold rainy england. Very strange, I thought i was the only one.

[edit on 4-7-2009 by SpaceMonkeys]

I'm probably wrong but I'm going to put it out there anyway:
Remember the 9+ mag earthquake that caused the tsunami in 04? I think I remember reading somewhere that it actually altered our orbit around the sun. If it pushed us even a tiny bit closer wouldn't that have enormous effects on climate, our exposure, etc? Could that be a factor in the sun appearing brighter, stronger, hotter?

I have been walking down the street, and could barely open my eyes, the sun was so bright.. Solar maximum, here we come..

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My husband tans very well. Usually he can go our for a few minutes and come in very dark with no sunburn. He has been this way forever. Last weekend he was up fixing the roof and came in and was burnt very badly. I was really shocked to see the degree of sunburn on him. He is now in the peeling phase and has never had sunburn to where he has peeled before. Very strange. He should have used sunscreen but he didnt even think about it considering the time he was out and how his skin usually reacts. I think we will be noticing much more of the small but important changes in the years to come.

London has never been this hot consistently, recently ive been getting the feeling im on holiday when i go for walks - weird.

Anyone at has ever driven down a Texas highway past a work crew has seen that the people doing the work (Mexicans) are well covered with clothing and hats.... These people are the descendants of the indigenous people of e South West U.S. and are of a darker complexion than people of Nordic ancestry and yet they take precautions to avoid the ravishes of the elements..... I have suffered serious sunburn when I was young and have the scars from the removal of a melanoma on my back to show for it...... I have seen many an old farmer and construction workers as well as sun worshippers that have been carved on and women with skin that resembles vat tumbled leather at an early age from overexposure to the sun..... The atmosphere is undergoing changes and it is apparent in the appearance of local vegetation and animal behavior as well....Wear a real hat, cover up, drink lots of water and avoid alcohol. When you die you will make the undertaker's job a lot easier when he (she) tries to make your body presentable and you might be more popular at the old folks home before that time comes.

That's really weird bc over here in CT it's been raining everyday and almost as cold as it would be in Sept. Very few times has it been hot. Usually during this time it would be at least 80-90, but we've had a steady 60-70 since summer started. My friends and I have all been wondering the same, if something's wrong.

I just remembered a headline that was on yahoo a few days ago that said volcanic eruption in Russia creating stunning sunsets in the US. I am no scientist, but could that have anything to do with this??

It's possible.. There have definitely been many pink skies, but I find the increased solar activity correlating with increased seismic and tectonic activity to be more interesting...

That energy has to go somewhere, right? And there is evidence that perhaps Mars is maybe a little more geologically active than a dead planet should be..

Something is definately up with the sun, we plant sunflowers every year in our front and back yard, I love the look of them and they provide a little privacy from our neighbors. This year we have noted that the buds are not following the sun. They are turning instead AWAY from the sun. And not facing east either, which is normal once the flowers bloom, they are facing west/southwest. I would like for someone to explain that .

After reading a great deal of the speculation in this thread, I have to say that I am glad to see so many concerned with the effects of the sun upon our climate. Just a few short years ago the so called climate experts (lawyers and actors) would bash one for even stating that the sun has any bearing on climate because it would some how detract from the global warming scam.

I have been following this for a few years now, since about 1998 and I can tell you the most popular theory about the sun right now. For the last few years, the sun has entered into a solar minimum which as it stands at the moment is the longest minimum in 140 years. This actually allows more ultraviolet rays to hit the surface of the planets. Without the higher level of electro magnetic waves from sun spots hitting the earth, we kind of lose our shielding. One might think that would allow temps to go up, however what it causes is more cloud formation which reflects more and more sunlight. The prediction for the moment is if we have re-entered the Dalton Minimum (1790-1830) or worse, we could see planting zones in the US all shift south by one zone. Translation, not enough of a growing season in the nation's bread basket for most crops to germinate, grow and ripen.

I encourage anyone concerned to research the Dalton Minimumand compare the sun's activity then and now. Its a cycle and its come back around.

I have always loved sunflowers, I haven't planted them in a couple years, but that is seriously concerning that they face the wrong way. I wonder why. Could it be that the rays are too strong at this level for them, too many photons? I was outside yesterday, I wasn't laying out, just out there walking around and I felt almost a crackling on that really delicate skin under my eyes. Like it was just frying there.

And my cat who hasn't had any issues thus far, he's 7, has come down with this awful black stuff on his face, around his eyes and nose. Called the vet for appt and she said she has seen more cats recently with this. She feels it's allergies, but I won't find out until tomorrow a.m.
Could the sun be doing this? (it's not cancer, I've seen that on cats before)

Also, I read a psychics page who believes the New Madrid area will be feeling the effects of this moon phase we're in. Either earthquake or flooding wise. Also the west coast, but she didn't say what...

Lot's of stuff to watch for these days!