Summary
Eleven year and other long-term associations between solar activity and terrestrial climate are commonly ascribed to gradual changes in solar luminosity related to the activity of the sun. In this contribution it is suggested that such longterm associations also might be the result of an accumulation of atmospheric responses to individual solar events. Statistical evidence is presented that solar flare and proton events are followed by or associated with certain characteristic changes in the lower earth’s atmosphere. Confirmation of the atmospheric effects is obtained for independent key day samples. The causing agent is as yet not identified. It might be enhanced UV, energetic protons or a temporal increase of total solar irradiance. From a physical point of view the latter might be the most realistic option.
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© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Schuurmans, C.J.E. (1994). Viewpoints concerning solar activity effects on the atmospheric circulation and climate. In: Nesme-Ribes, E. (eds) The Solar Engine and Its Influence on Terrestrial Atmosphere and Climate. NATO ASI Series, vol 25. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79257-1_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79257-1_23
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