After a Period of Brightness, Earth Dims, Researchers Say

[Lorien]

After a Period of Brightness, Earth Dims, Researchers Say
By KENNETH CHANG

Published: May 28, 2004

Tracking the brightness of Earth by looking at its reflection on the Moon, scientists have concluded that sunshine on Earth brightened in the 1990's, then dimmed after 2000.

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/28/science/28shine.html?ex=1086321600&en=8187df592dd2b45d&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

So, in other words, after 2000 "A shadow fell across the land"...no news here!

[shraby]

1. Was it cause Bush

stole the presidency? Will the sun shine brighter once again when he is booted out of office?

[Lorien]

2. The scientists in the article have no explaination

so who knows? If the situation were reversed-a period in the ninties where a repug was President, peace and prosperity reigned and the earth was brighter-followed by a Dem President who brought with him war and uncertainty, and a darker planet...well, the Jerry Falwell's and Pat Robertsons of America would be having a field day with something like this!

The distributor for "the day after tomorrow" placed a big ol' ad next to this article, lol!

[blackcat77]

3. Something that strikes me about this is that...

...global warming and a greater cloud cover could go hand in hand. More heat escapes the surface on a clear night than a cloudy one, so if there are more clouds, more surface heat is reflected back. That's our old pal, the greenhouse effect. Additionally, a warmer atmosphere holds more water, hence more clouds.

All of this is obvious to me but I guess the scientists tend to look past the obvious.

[Lorien]

4. That was my first thought as well

I wouldn't be at all surprised if *'s "clear skies act", along with increasing fossil fuel use in China and India, have contributed greatly to this effect.