Upper atmosphere shrinking say scientists
Upper atmosphere shrinking say scientists
- From: AFP
- August 27, 2010
THE upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere are unexpectedly shrinking and cooling due to lower ultraviolet radiation from the sun, US scientists say.
The sun’s energy output dropped to unusually low levels from 2007 to 2009, a significantly long spell with virtually no sunspots or solar storms, according to scientists from the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.
During that period, the thermosphere, whose altitude ranges from about 90-500km, shrank and contracted from the sharp drop in ultraviolet radiation, said the study published in the American Geophysical Union’s journal Geophysical Research Letters.
The thermosphere cooled by 41 Celsius in 2008 compared to 1996, and shrank by 30 per cent, “more than at any time in the 43-year era of space exploration” the researchers said.
Declining trees spell gloom for planet
Declining trees spell gloom for planet
Ben Cubby, ENVIRONMENT EDITOR Right and Wrong (Monbiot)
Right and Wrong
Why climate science divides people along political lines.
By George Monbiot. Published in the Guardian 24th August 2010
It was Australia’s second climate change election. Climate change deposed the former leaders of both main parties: Kevin Rudd (Labor) because his position was too weak, Malcolm Turnbull (Liberals) because his position was too strong. When Julia Gillard, the new Labor leader, also flunked the issue, many of her supporters defected to the Greens.
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Governor General’s job to choose new leader
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