Harvard astrophysicist: Sunspot activity correlates to global
climate change  Posted by Rick C. Hodgin    Dr. Soon's field of
specialty is the sun. He explains that sunspots are planet-sized
pockets of magnetism with much greater energy output and matter
expulsion, some of which strikes the Earth's atmosphere as extra
energy from the sun. He says when sunspots are present, the
temperature goes up, when they are not present the temperature
goes down. He also told a reporter at WBZ, CBS TV 38
(http://wbztv.com/video/?id=75101 @ wbz.dayport.com -- remove
spaces), that beginning in 1645 and continuing through 1715,
there were no observed sunspots. This is the period known as the
Little Ice Age.  He also explains that sunspots go in cycles,
which are around 11 years. There are periods of maximum activity
(called the Solar Max) and periods of minimal or no activity
(called the Solar Min).  Around the year 2000, the current cycle
had reached its maximum. As of right now in 2009, it is at a
period of zero sunspot act