WASHINGTON, March 6 — Every 11 years or so, the Sun reverses its magnetic field, producing a cycle marked by solar flares, sunspots and magnetic storms that can have disruptive effects on Earth.
On Monday, scientists predicted that the next of these cycles would start as much as a year late — in late 2007 or early 2008 — and would be 30 percent to 50 percent stronger than the last one.
The prediction, based on a new computer model developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, could enable better preparation for the solar storms, the scientists said. ...
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In a telephone news conference, the scientists said that in a series of test runs, the new model simulated the strength of the past eight solar cycles with more than 98 percent accuracy.
"For the first time, we can predict the strength of the 11-year solar cycle," said Mausumi Dikpati, who headed the team that developed the model...
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