Interesting results from a major scientific meeting about why the sun is doing what it is. Bits and pieces of this have been floating around for a few years, but it now seems to have been made into a coherent theory.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/6cf2hoz

The punch line:

...

"If we are right, this could be the last solar maximum we'll see for a few

decades," Hill said. "That would affect everything from space exploration to Earth's climate."

Of course when you primarily work satellites, your motto is: "Sunspots? We don't need no stinking Sunspots!" ;) OTOH, this does have implications FOR satellites in terms of radiation effects, not all of them good.

As with all scientific theories and predictions, we will have to wait to see whether it pans out.

73s,

Alan WA4SCA