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Solar Variability and Clouds – Discussion Session 3c

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Abstract

Satellite observations have recently revealed a surprising imprint of the 11-year solar cycle on global low cloud cover. The cloud data suggest a correlation with the intensity of galactic cosmic rays. If this apparent connection between cosmic rays and clouds is real, variations of the cosmic ray flux caused by long-term changes in the solar wind could have a significant influence on the global energy radiation budget and the climate. However a direct link between cosmic rays and clouds has not been unambiguously established and, moreover, the microphysical mechanism is poorly understood. New experiments are being planned to find out whether cosmic rays can affect cloud formation, and if so how.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CERN, Geneva, Switzerland

    Jasper Kirkby

  2. University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland

    Ari Laaksonen

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  1. Jasper Kirkby
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  2. Ari Laaksonen
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Kirkby, J., Laaksonen, A. Solar Variability and Clouds – Discussion Session 3c. Space Science Reviews 94, 397–409 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026712518869

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