picture of me

Professor Nigel Weiss



Who I am


Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Astrophysics, University of Cambridge; Fellow of Clare College; FRS.

Research interests


Solar and Stellar Magnetic Fields, Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics, Nonlinear Dynamics

Solar activity and global warming

The Sun's magnetic activity varies cyclically with a period of about 11 years and recent activity had been abnormally high for about 80 years. As might have been expected, this prolonged grand maximum has come to an end. The latest Sunspot Cycle 24 looks set to be the weakest for a century; it is even conceivable that the Sun might be entering a grand minimum, which would be expected to have a mild cooling effect on the Earth's climate. I have always maintained, however, that any temperature changes caused by variations in solar activity are small compared to the global warming that we are already experiencing, and very small compared to what will happen if we continue to burn fossil fuel at the present rate.

Recent publications



Other interests and links



Nigel Weiss, October 2008, DAMTP, University of Cambridge, CMS, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA