Andre said:A magnificent find, Wolram. Thanks a lot.
I was just studying the Tibetan/Himalayan glaciation during the Last Glacial Maximum and this fits in exactly. It could mean that the Inter Tropical Conversion Zone shifted so that it caused excessive precipitation.
Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that originate from outside our solar system and travel through space at nearly the speed of light. They consist of protons, electrons, and atomic nuclei, and can have energies millions of times greater than those created in particle accelerators on Earth.
Cosmic rays can potentially play a role in climate by influencing the formation of clouds. When cosmic rays enter Earth's atmosphere, they ionize air molecules and create small particles called aerosols. These aerosols can act as cloud condensation nuclei, which are necessary for the formation of clouds. More clouds can reflect more sunlight back into space, leading to a cooling effect on Earth's surface.
While some studies have suggested a correlation between cosmic rays and climate change, the scientific consensus is that the influence of cosmic rays on climate is minimal compared to other factors such as greenhouse gas emissions. The Earth's climate is primarily driven by the amount of solar radiation it receives and the composition of its atmosphere, not by cosmic rays.
No, cosmic rays cannot cause global warming. The warming of the Earth's surface is primarily caused by the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat from the sun. While cosmic rays can potentially influence cloud formation, their impact is not significant enough to cause global warming.
Scientists study the relationship between cosmic rays and climate through a variety of methods, including analyzing data from satellites and ground-based instruments, conducting laboratory experiments, and using computer models to simulate the effects of cosmic rays on cloud formation. This research is ongoing and helps scientists better understand the role of cosmic rays in Earth's climate system.