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The Effects of Solar Variability on Earth's Climate A Workshop Report (2012) / Chapter Skim
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3 Panel Discussion
Pages 28-30

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From page 28...
... Rast responded that radiometric imaging of the Sun is important not only to extrapolate irradiance, but also to understand the substructure of the magnetic field and its relationship to spectral irradiance. Giacalone and others also pointed out as a research area that needs to be more fully understood the relationship between the galactic cosmic-ray flux and details of the interaction with the variable solar wind and magnetic field configuration.
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From page 29...
... Tung summarized another mechanism discussed in Meehl's presentation, the top-down stratosphere ozone mechanism, in which increased levels of radiation lead to increased ozone heating and ozone production, which modifies the temperature and zonal wind in the stratosphere, which in turn alters wave propagation. In addition, warming in the tropical lower stratosphere changes vertical convection in the tropics, and can shift the Hadley circulation and storm tracks.
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From page 30...
... In addition, participants discussed what sorts of investments agencies could make now with available resources in, for example, improving existing data sets, versus continuing measurements or starting new measurements or new observations, or making new investments in modeling efforts to address these open issues. Suggestions included looking at model studies in a systematic way; examining the paleoclimate record to see whether there were natural oscillations in the system that could result in the system transitioning from one mode to another; developing an understanding of the inherent timescales in the system and the feedbacks that might amplify effects; determining through model or data studies if there are certain regions that are more susceptible to solar influence on climate; evaluating the quality of the past record of environmental response to establish a better chronology; or developing a better understanding of the issues associated with some of the proxies used in studying the Sun-climate linkage.
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Key Terms

  • solar cycle
  • panel discussion
  • galactic cosmic
  • total solar
  • solar flux

  • spatially coherent
  • historical studies
  • storm tracks
  • coherent picture
  • cosmic rays

  • past climate
  • internal variability
  • magnetic field
  • workshop session
  • extrapolate irradiance

  • model results
  • improving existing
  • model studies
  • giacalone posed
  • issues surrounding

  • tung summarized
  • participants discussed
  • data studies
  • climate models
  • available proxy

  • changes vertical
  • solar peak
  • lower stratosphere
  • participant gerald
  • determining climate


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