Our interesting (and very cool) sun

Been a lot cooler than usual.  Looks like the Modern Warm Period is ending its 100 year run. But... Something interesting is happening.

Cooler? Fewer sunspots.  Sunspots are a good proxy for solar output. The more sunspots, the hotter the sun and the warmer our Earth.  This affects the Martian Ice Caps too so it is not just this planet. Last year, we had a record year of low sunspot numbers with 281 days without sunspots (or 77% of the year). To find a year with more blank suns, you have to go all the way back to 1913 (311 days).  This year, we are currently at 190 days - 71% - so it is not likely that we will beat this record (96 days left in the year so we would need to have 91 of them be sunspot-free to tie) but this is still a very low number.

What we are starting to see is an increased Planetary K-Index  This is a measurement of radio flux from the sun and is independent of sunspot activity.  The K-Index impacts the earth directly as it is a measurement of the flux that gives us the Northern (or Southern) lights. Usually, it has been 0 - 1 - sometimes 2.  Now, it has been hitting 4.  The scale is logarithmic so 3 is ten times 2, 4 is ten times 3, etc...  This is causing some beautiful aurora borealis in the arctic.  It needs to be up to 6 and above to get reliable aurora in these latitudes. From right now:

Some interesting times.  Got a load of firewood laid in last spring so it is nice and cured.  Had a small fire yesterday and it was delicious. Warmed the house up with just a few logs. Thinking that I am going to need every stick this year. Had some left over last year.  We will see...