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Willie Soon
 
 
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Willie Wei-Hock Soon (born 1966) is an astrophysicist
Astrophysics

Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of astronomical objects such as galaxy, stars, planets, exoplanets, and the interstellar medium, as well as their interactions....
 at the Solar and Stellar Physics Division of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is arguably the largest and most diverse astrophysical institution in the world, where scientists carry out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, earth science and space sciences, and science education....
. He is known for his views that most global warming
Global warming

Global warming is the increase in the Instrumental temperature record of the Earth's near-surface air and the oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation....
 is caused by solar variation
Solar variation

Solar variations are changes in the amount of solar radiation emitted by the Sun. There are periodic components to these variations, the principal one being the 11-year solar cycle , as well as periodic function fluctuations....
.

In addition to writing a range of technical papers on solar and stellar behavior, the physics of climate change, and an astronomy textbook for students who have no access to telescopes, Soon co-authored The Maunder Minimum and the Variable Sun–Earth Connection with Steven H.






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Willie Wei-Hock Soon (born 1966) is an astrophysicist
Astrophysics

Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of astronomical objects such as galaxy, stars, planets, exoplanets, and the interstellar medium, as well as their interactions....
 at the Solar and Stellar Physics Division of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is arguably the largest and most diverse astrophysical institution in the world, where scientists carry out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, earth science and space sciences, and science education....
. He is known for his views that most global warming
Global warming

Global warming is the increase in the Instrumental temperature record of the Earth's near-surface air and the oceans since the mid-twentieth century and its projected continuation....
 is caused by solar variation
Solar variation

Solar variations are changes in the amount of solar radiation emitted by the Sun. There are periodic components to these variations, the principal one being the 11-year solar cycle , as well as periodic function fluctuations....
.

In addition to writing a range of technical papers on solar and stellar behavior, the physics of climate change, and an astronomy textbook for students who have no access to telescopes, Soon co-authored The Maunder Minimum and the Variable Sun–Earth Connection with Steven H. Yaskell (2004). The book treats historical and proxy records of deep climate change by examining the extended global cooling period known as the Maunder Minimum
Maunder Minimum

The Maunder Minimum is the name given to the period roughly from 1645 to 1715, when sunspots became exceedingly rare, as noted by solar observers of the time....
 (c 1645-1715). This period is notable for a dearth of solar activity, measured today in isotopic records and corroborated by eyewitness accounts of unusual weather at the time. In 2004 Soon was awarded the "Petr Beckmann Award for courage and achievement in the defense of scientific truth" by Doctors for Disaster Preparedness
Doctors for Disaster Preparedness

Doctors for Disaster Preparedness is a body associated with the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine. Its website states that DDP promotes homeland defense and prudent preparedness for disasters of all kinds, including war or terrorism....
.

He is associated with the George C. Marshall Institute
George C. Marshall Institute

The George C. Marshall Institute was established in 1984 in Washington, D.C. "to conduct technical assessments of scientific issues with an impact on public policy"....
, where he co-authored Lessons and Limits of Climate History: Was 20th Century Climate Unusual? with Sallie Baliunas
Sallie Baliunas

Sallie Baliunas is an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Sciences Division and formerly Deputy Director of the Mount Wilson Observatory....
. The pair have also written for the Fraser Institute
Fraser Institute

The Fraser Institute is conservative and libertarian think tank based in Canada that espouses free market principles. Its stated mandate is to advocate for freedom and competitive markets....
 of Canada regarding Sun-climate connections. Soon and Baliunas have generated controversy because their research was funded in part by the American Petroleum Institute
American Petroleum Institute

The American Petroleum Institute, commonly referred to as API, is the main U.S industry trade group for the oil and natural gas industry, representing about 400 corporations involved in extraction of petroleum, oil refinery, pipeline transport, and many other aspects of the industry....
, a trade association

He is chief science adviser to the Science and Public Policy Institute
Science and Public Policy Institute

The Science and Public Policy Institute is a United States based organization that presents scientific data and analysis that accepts the possibility of human-induced climate change, but is doubtful whether its magnitude will be significant....
.

See also

  • List of scientists opposing global warming consensus


External links