V. P. Okhlopkov

Distinctive properties of the frequency spectra of cosmic ray variations and parameters of solar activity and the interplanetary medium in solar cycles 20–23

Spectral analysis is used to investigate periodicities from the data on cosmic rays in the stratosphere, in the neutron component, and in various parameters of solar activity and interplanetary medium for the period from 1965 to 2007 for individual solar cycles.

The 11-year cycle of solar activity and configurations of the planets

In this paper a parameter was used, viz., the average difference between the heliocentric longitudes (ADL) of the planets Venus, Earth, and Jupiter. For the minimum ADL (the planets are in conjunction), as well as at the minimum deviation of the planets from a line passing through them and the Sun at the location of the planets on opposite sides from the Sun, an index was composed that uniquely describes the 11-year cycle of solar activity.

The Main Periodicities of the Motion of the Center of the Sun Relative to the Center of Mass of the Solar System and Solar Activity

The dynamic parameters of the motion of the Sun relative to the center of mass of the Solar System, viz., the distance of the center of the Sun relative to the center of mass and the angular momentum of the Sun, as well as its changes, are investigated. The frequency spectra of these parameters and of the Wolf numbers are calculated and the main spectral components are revealed. It is shown that a periodicity of 178.8 years is not predominant in the dynamic parameters of the motion of the Sun; in this frequency range a periodicity of 169 years connected with the influence of Neptune predominates. The coincidence of the periodicities in the Wolf numbers and dynamic parameters of the motion of the Sun is shown. The causes of all components of the frequency spectrum are indicated.

Influence of cosmic rays and cosmic dust on the atmosphere and Earth’s climate

The results of studying the cosmic ray fluxes in the Earth’s atmosphere and their influence on the atmospheric electricity, as well as the effect of cosmic dust entering the terrestrial atmosphere from the interplanetary space on the Earth’s climate are briefly discussed. A forecast of the climate cooling in the forthcoming 50 years is given.

Cycles of solar activity and the configurations of planets

In this paper, using the parameter—the average difference between the heliocentric longitudes of the planets Venus, Earth and Jupiter—the strong link found 22-year and 11-year cycles of solar activity with the lowest values of the parameter. The envelope curve of the minimum values of this parameter is well described as the conjunctions of the three planets, when they are almost in a straight line from the sun, which causes the maximum of solar activity, and the conjunctions in the larger longitudinal sector (25–30 degrees), which occur much more frequently and are accompanied by different combinations of planets on the opposite side of the Sun, which also cause the maximum of solar activity. Location of these planets on opposite sides of the Sun in various combinations is very well compatible with the parameter used.

Relationship of solar activity cycles to planetary configurations

A single-valued relation of the 22-year and 11-year solar activity cycles is calculated with allowance for the minimum values of the average difference between the heliocentric longitudes of Venus, Earth, and Jupiter. The envelope curve of the minimum values of this parameter describes both conjunctions of the three planets when they are positioned in an almost straight line from the Sun (causing peak solar activity) and the far more frequent assemblies in a broader longitudinal sector (25–30 degrees) that are characterized by different combinations of planets on opposite sides of the Sun, also eliciting peak solar activity.

Cosmic rays tell us on supernova explosion in the nearby interstellar space

Abstract The data obtained in the long-term cosmic ray observations are analyzed. The analysis shows that a small negative trend about (−0.05 % /year) exists in the total flux of cosmic rays falling on the top of the atmosphere. Also, in the energy range of E = (10 11 − 10 14 ) eV the sidereal anisotropy is observed. These experimental data could be explained if supernova explosion took place in the nearby interstellar space about t = (5 × 10 4 − 5 × 10 5 ) years ago at the distance r = (30 − 200) parsec from the solar system.

Spectral analysis of variations in cosmic rays, solar activity parameters, and the interplanetary medium

The periodicities of cosmic rays in the stratosphere, in the neutron component, and in different parameters of solar activity and the interplanetary medium between 1965 and 2015 are studied by means of spectral analysis. The data are analyzed separately according to cycles of solar activity. A shift of spectral components is observed in the even–odd combination of solar activity cycles.

Cosmic rays, solar activity, and changes in the Earth’s climate

One of the most important problems facing humanity, global climate change, is discussed. The roles of cosmic ray fluxes and solar activity in this process are analyzed. Although several mechanisms explaining global climate change have been proposed, none of them are firmly grounded. At the United Nations summit in Paris at the end of 2015, it was decided that greenhouse gases are responsible for the global warming of our planet. However, the authors of this work believe the question of what causes global changes in the Earth’s climate remains open, and will obviously be solved once and for all in the next 10–15 years.

The gravitational influence of Venus, the Earth, and Jupiter on the 11-year cycle of solar activity

This paper presents the calculations of the resulting tidal force of Jupiter, Venus, and Earth, that act on the Sun. Considering the tidal forces as the difference of gravitational forces that act on the extreme points of the Sun’s diameter and on the center of the Sun, it is shown that there are large variations in the resulting tidal force (RTF) at the moments of linear configurations of Venus, the Earth, and Jupiter, and that the maximum variations of the RTF are in a strong agreement with the minimum values of the JEV planetary index, as introduced by the author in previous works.