The centre of gravity or centre of mass of a collection of objects is given by calculating the value of its three coordinates, x, y and z such that the values of the sums: S(x - x')m, S(y - y')m, S(z - z')m are all equal to zero. The x', y' and z' components are the respective coordinates of the participating bodies and the m's are their respective masses.

In the diagram the yellow circle represents the Sun with its radius of 6.96 x 10⁵ km. The curve begins with the 1970 position [middle left of the diagram] of the centre of mass of the solar system, i.e., the planets and the Sun, just on the edge of the Sun. From there it takes a tight anti-clockwise curving bend to the 1980 position, well outside the sun's body. The rest of the track is reasonably clear except the ending in 2020 which is almost coincident with that of 1995.

These positions are known with considerable accuracy and if there is a connection between the trajectory of the centre of mass of the solar system and the intensity of sunspots there is the possibility of the theory having some prediction value and is therefore testable against future observations.

The basis idea is that if the centre of mass of the solar system does not coincide with that of the sun itself the planets can have an effect on the internal arrangement of the sun. If the changes are releatively rapid the sun's interior could get churned up and possibly induce more sunspots than if the changes are gentle.

If the sunspot/centre of gravity theory does recieve confirmation it would assist the idea of the connection between the sunspot intensity and that of the solar wind, which in turn would be of assistance with the cosmic ray shielding theory.

We shall see!

A newly revised treatment of the influence of the solar system on climate has been published.

A Climate Science Treatise by Frederick Bailey (www.solarchords.com)

Frederick Bailey published his first study in the field of climate change and related Solar System mechanics in 2003. His continuing research led to further advance in understanding the dynamics at work, with the first publication edition announcement of his 'solar chord' discovery in 2007.

His new edition (Solar Chord Discovery) released in December 2010 now further expands the Solar Chord Science analysis and presents it as a demonstrable explanation of climate cycling in the 20 to 200 year context. It very precisely explains all significant cycles of the past several hundred years and now presents as a reliable model for forecasting of forthcoming warming and cooling cycles of both global and regional impact.

Solar Chord Science is founded entirely on the fundamental principles of Solar System science defined by Isaac Newton in his Principia of 1687; Newton's brilliant analysis and discovery is even more relevant today than ever previously as the controversy over climate cycling continues. Were more within the formal scientific Establishments to revert to Newtonian science it is predictable the level of controversy would quickly recede.

Bailey's analysis has been positively reviewed by several leading scientists who have taken the time to study and understand it deeply. In 2007 Bailey co-authored a scientific paper, regarded by many peers as a classic work, with Professors Will Alexander, David Bredenkamp, et al. The key principles in Bailey's Solar Chord science played a vital part in Alexander et al's research findings.