Stochastic influence on solar cycle activity: planetary clocking?

[theartist]

Plotted below are two solar cycles that meet The Panel's SC25 Prediction/Forecast.

Which cycle appears to be more 'interesting' from the perspective of potential space-weather consequences?

Do we readily elicit a response to the question if we plot them again as the 'monthly-mean' instead of 'smoothed' (below)?

The following two figures describe the planetary position at the 'Start' of SC14:

The following figure describes the planetary position at the 'Start' of SC24:

The following figure describes the planetary position at the Tentative 'Start' (i.e., Jan 2019) of SC25:

Food for thought?

Edited July 23, 2019 by theartist

[theartist]

From Extract of a Letter from Prof. R. Wolf, of Zurich, to Mr. Carrington, dated Jan. 12, 1859:

,

Well, maybe it is a little (a lot?) more complicated than that, but we have since had K. Birkeland, the findings of I. Langmuir, the theories of H. Alfvén and the development of supercomputers.  Maybe it is time the concept of 'planetary clocking' influencing solar activity warrants considerably more attention?

 

Edited July 17, 2019 by theartist

[theartist]

• The CME on July 18, 2019 was directed toward Uranus.

• This is a classic example of planetary 'connective influence' on solar activity.

• 'Planetary Clocking' influences the stochastic drivers of solar activity. 

 

 

[theartist]

One theory (preliminary) is that the gas giants can induce solar activity via connection with the sun.  On July 8 18, 2019 (discussed above), Uranus 'pulled' a CME (and/or, the Sun targeted Uranus with its pent up energy), as a 'clear and open path' to Uranus was available (and Uranus has now cleared Neptune's sapping influence).

We now examine the planetary positions during the "unexpected, surprising" (per various online accounts) solar activity in the fall of 2017.  We see, in the figure below, this solar activity was sufficient to modulate GCRs:

This modulation started in mid-July 2017, and became most acute in September 2017 (figure below):

We first review the space weather activity for the months of Apr-Dec, 2017.

Edited August 30, 2019 by theartist
Corrected typo on date of CME in July.

[theartist]

We now proceed to look at the modulated activity a little more closely.  

The plot below is the GCR activity for July 2017:

The video below (source) is a quick review of July 2017:

There is considerable solar activity in the month of July 2017, but we'll select the following four main events:

• Event 1:  July 3-4;
• Event 2:  July 14;
• Event 3:  July 23;
• Event 4:  July 28.

There was further ejection on July 16 from the original ejection starting on July 14; significant modulation of the GCR's starts on July 16 (per the plot above).

For the analysis of the events, we will use imagery from 'SOHO LASCO C2/C3 and STEREO-A COR2, in consideration of the position of STEREO-A and planetary positions on the event dates.

Event 1 (July 3-4) Analysis

Here is the position of STEREO-A on July 3, 2017:  

And here is the solar system planetary position on that date: 

   

From earth's viewpoint, the ejection direction of Event 1 is to the right, and possibly somewhat forward.  

From STEREO-A's viewpoint, the ejection is just slightly to the left, and primarily obscured by the chronograph's solar disk mask.  Since Venus is almost in conjunction with STEREO-A, and opposite the sun, we conclude Event 1's ejection is directed (generally) toward Venus. Note, Neptune is off toward that direction too.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Event 2 (July 14) Analysis

Here is the position of STEREO-A on July 14, 2017:   

And here is the solar system planetary position on that date: 

   

From earth's viewpoint, the ejection direction of Event 2 is to the right, and possibly somewhat forward.  

From STEREO-A's viewpoint, the ejection is just slightly to the left, but a little more left than Event 1, and primarily obscured by the chronograph's solar disk mask.  Since Venus is still almost in conjunction with, and opposite the sun, but it has advanced further 'left' (from STEREO-A's viewpoint) since the time of Event 1, we conclude Event 2's ejection is directed (generally) toward Venus. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Event 3 (July 23) Analysis

Here is the position of STEREO-A on July 23, 2017:   

And here is the solar system planetary position on that date: 

   

From earth's viewpoint, the direction of Event 3's main ejection is directly rearward, opposite of earth.  

From STEREO-A's viewpoint, the ejection is greatly to the left, confirming that the ejection is opposite and away from earth. We conclude Event 3's main ejection is directed toward Mars. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Event 4 (July 28) Analysis

Here is the position of STEREO-A on July 28, 2017:

 

And here is the solar system planetary position on July 28, 2017: 

   

From earth's viewpoint, the ejection direction of Event 4 is to the left.

From STEREO-A's viewpoint, the ejection is directed upward and to the right, somewhat obscured by the chronograph's solar disk mask.  We conclude Event 4's ejection is directed (generally) toward Jupiter.  Mercury could also be taking some of it.

 

 

Edited July 26, 2019 by theartist

[Cameron Bridges]

Try "Inigo Jones long term weather forecaster" aka David Burton on Facebook... Astro-meteorology is not generally not accepted by mainstream science but Mr Burton claims the Solar Cycle is influenced by a group of 9 close adjoining stars and amplified or moderated by the planets depending on the position of all the planets relative to this group of stars. In turn the Solar cycle drives weather patterns on earth the severity of which is also amplified or moderated by the position of all the planets relative to the earth as well as other cycles on earth itself for example oceanic cycles. I personally feel there maybe something to it after all to ignore Astro-meteorology is to ignore observations of the best minds for up to and possibly over 80 000 years or so however I also tend to feel a little sceptical at the accuracy of such theories.

One of Davids references (which he David holds exclusive copyright to) is by a man called W.T.Foster.

You may be interested in both of them.

[theartist]

Hi Cameron Bridges, thank you for chiming in.  

I hadn't summed up my current theory on this thread yet, which is (the simple version) that although the sun itself goes through cyclical behavior based on its internal dynamo processes, the gas-giants play a large part into setting up the 'characteristics' of solar activity, and thus the solar-cycle, and the inner-solar-system terrestrial planets play their part into the amplification and moderation of that activity.  

In this thread is presented a specific situation, i.e., the increase of solar activity in the latter of half of 2017 that occurred during the normal wind-down of SC24, and the theory I just described is a possible explanation to understanding it, since something specific with the gas-giant alignment happened during that time period.

Now, I'm just in the beginning of understanding and the unveiling of this theory here on the spaceweatherlive forum, by looking at real-world examples from recent history.  I'm not close to trying to extrapolate how the modulation of solar activity by 'planetary clocking' (which is a huge topic by itself), in-turn, affects climate on earth. And I don't think that latter topic (the modulation of earth's climate by solar activity, and/or other extra-terrestrial galactic factors) is necessary to understand the broad concept of influential 'planetary clocking' on solar activity.

 

Edited July 27, 2019 by theartist
Corrected name of commenter to the thread.

[theartist]

The following figure is the planetary position in January 2017:

The following figure is the planetary position in December 2017:

Jupiter's direct opposition to Uranus occurred on March 3, 2017 and again on September 27, 2017.  From the end of 2017 onward, Jupiter's solar influence would be increasingly diminished as it approached the sapping influence of Saturn.

When I say "sapping influence", consider the model of each of the planets and sun as special type of electrodes in a very high vacuum, a vacuum more rarified than that ever achieved to-date in the laboratory.  But these are very special types of electrodes than those considered by Langmuir, having not only different electrostatic potentials amongst each other, but they also have, to various degree, self-generated magnetic fields and inertial moments.

Edited July 27, 2019 by theartist

[theartist]

I just had what might be termed an epiphany.  This insight may be a key puzzle piece (i.e., the ROSETTA STONE) into the understanding of how 'planetary clocking' influences solar cycles.  I will hurriedly attempt to get my thoughts down, and go back and clean up as necessary.

I start by showing you the planetary position ~360years (2x180yrs) ago, and ~180years ago, for our current positioning is related.

NOTES:

• Planetary Positioning;
• Planet magnet dipole alignments;
• Heliospheric Current Sheet;
• Potential Consequences for SC25.

Below is the positioning ~360 years ago, when we were in the, so-called, Maunder Minimum.

Below is the positioning ~180 years ago.  This was 1.4 yrs before the "Start" of SC9.  The Smoothed maximum ISN of SC9 was 219.9. (Actually, 25 January 1842 was the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction.😥) 

 

Below is the positioning in contemporary times, with the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction to occur on 21 December 2020. This is 1.8 years after the "Start" of SC25 (this "Start" is tentative, per this thread.)

  

Edited July 29, 2019 by theartist

[theartist]

Now, here is a representation of Uranus' and Neptune's magnetic axis orientations (source):  

Below is an animation of the rotating heliospheric current sheet (source):

Additionally, the "Artist's Conception of the Heliospheric Current Sheet", below, was sourced from here. 

My point, simple yet sublime, is this:  spatial and temporal positioning of the planetary 'magnets' can facilitate or squelch release of the solar heliospheric current sheet, thus influencing the 'magnitude' of a solar cycle's activity!

Edited July 29, 2019 by theartist

[kernash]

This might be interesting for you:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11207-019-1447-1

It has just been released and seems promising.

[theartist]

On 7/30/2019 at 6:35 AM, kernash said:

This might be interesting for you:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11207-019-1447-1

It has just been released and seems promising.

Ahhh...but did they make a prediction for SC25? 🤔

Their finding, that small gravitational/tidal perturbations CAN trigger solar activity in their dynamo model, IS important to quell the naysayers.  However, it is in the details where they are still going to run up against some problems for practical prediction; because (I suspect) if it was just gravitational, regardless of whether or not it had been previously shown to be physically possible, it would nonetheless have been demonstrated by now to be an obvious determinant of various solar activity (rather than, on the contrary, to have largely been renounced).  I think the key issue is that there is more going on than just tidal effects.

Edited October 28, 2019 by theartist

[theartist]

In this thread, I discussed the possibility of powerful solar activity 'coincidentally' arising around a Jupiter/Uranus Superior Conjunction which occurred in 2017, well into the declining phase of SC24.  

I now wish to present another example for consideration.  In 2003, well into the declining phase of SC23, some powerful solar storms occurred around Halloween, which were so memorable to the SpaceWeatherLive team that they produced a video on them.  Observe below the planetary-setup going into those storms:

However, this might be just another planetary 'astro-astrology' coincidence to the solar pros, eh?  😆

Edited November 7, 2019 by theartist

[Michele]

If we observe what is happening in this period everithing seems to be connected to a really particular condition, maybe Pluton influenced to.

We will have an anular Sun eclipse on 26 December and in the while or about the Sun will eclipse Jupiter and on 13 January 2020 it will eclipse Saturn. Eclipse from the Hearth of a planet by Sun means perfect helio-congiunction. 

In the first case we will have new moon with spectacular anular Solar eclipse (not in Italy ) and in the second one we will have full moon.

Not ending on 26 december Jupiter satellite Io will be coinvolved in the congiunction in oposition respect the Sun.

On 13 january Pluto will be in  eliocentric congiunction with earth and saturn

On 2018 Pluto has passed the ecliptic node and now will be strictly congiuncted to Saturn and quite to Jupiter. This is a topic moment for Solar system!

My supposition is that we will forget Sunspots for a lot of time (maybe years) and we will start to have different wind streaming from the Sun (much more from coronal hole) and from the Universe because Cosmic Rays will find an open door to our Ionosphere. Ace docet in this moment, recording a lot of spikes. Density solar wind will be lower and lower and CME will increase in number and in power. Magnetic power of the earth will decrease and magnetic Pole will migrate faster. Cosmic rays will modify our troposhere to with C14 Carbon and they will create Ozon. If the North Pole or the South one migrate in a civilizated area there will be troubles. Possibility that a strong CME will be earth directed will be sensible increased.

Jupiter and Saturn, with the rear power of Pluton (it is a X ray emitter) will be protagonist in the eliospheric current for the nex 2-3 years. But this is happening also on a normal electronical circuit when componenents are on a perfect line so I am not wondering so much. What I wonder about this topic is that accademic Astronomy seems to ignore totally this way to study what should happen with our Sun and, much more important, when. 

For example for the Carrington event (1 Sep 1859) we were having Uran eliocentric congiuncted to Pleiads (both have strange and powerful electromagnetic stream and peaks), in the while we have had eliocentric congiunction of Saturn/Venus/Mars and eliocentric congiunction of Neptune/Mercury with Earth around. Not a coincidence...and Uran in line with Pleiads was really interesting to analyze for a lot of scientific and not astrological raeasons.

I think that connection between solar system "status" and Solar activity has to be strictly valid and studied.

The Sun is magnetically "shutting down" to start with a new really long circle...we have just to understand wich one it is and how the changment will be long.

Thanks the artist for your job!

Edited November 7, 2019 by Michele
mistakes

[theartist]

Michele,

21 hours ago, Michele said:

Magnetic power of the earth will decrease and magnetic Pole will migrate faster.

What is the physical explanation behind this theory?

21 hours ago, Michele said:

Uran eliocentric congiuncted to Pleiads (both have strange and powerful electromagnetic stream and peaks),

Are you referring to the constellation Pleiades?  If so, what information suggests the electromagnetic characteristics of that collection of stars (or any others) is affecting our star's activity?

21 hours ago, Michele said:

The Sun is magnetically "shutting down" to start with a new really long circle

Does your theory as to why it is "shutting down" have something to do with significant electromagnetic effects from other stars?   If so, where is the evidence, and how could we evaluate this?

Thank-you, Michele!

21 hours ago, Michele said:

everithing seems to be connected to a really particular condition, maybe Pluton influenced to

But wouldn't Pluto's influence be just a small cog in a very large machine?  To what granularity (e.g., inclusive of moons, asteroids, stars) will be required in our model to make a significant difference?

Don't interpret my questions as being overly critical and discounting...afterall, there are a group of serious physicists claiming the outer orbit of a difficult to observe planetary body (with an orbit in the 10's of thousands of years) is directly responsible for our sun's spin being off-axis to the ecliptic.  (I'll have to find a reference, as the details are a little fuzzy.) Here is a reference: "Curious Tilt of the Sun Traced to Undiscovered Planet".

Edited November 8, 2019 by theartist

[Michele]

Question 1: North Pole is migrating faster and faster on the last 20 years increasing speed in these last 2 years (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2019/02/05/earths-magnetic-north-pole-has-officially-moved/amp/)

It is moving, it is not my theory. Now magnetic and geografic poles are about in the same place. Its movement was truscarable until 20 yrs ago about. 

My theory about is that in this cosmic age we have sensible migrations of our magnetic poles each about 41.000 years.

 Question 2:

Basical astronomy knowledge - Little preview

Uranus is the only planet whose equator is nearly at a right angle to its orbit, with a tilt of 97.77 degrees

It has another SkIll. Its magnetic emission is powerful than magnetic Sun immission. Each 1 hours per day Uranus open its magnetic Field.  Otherwise pleiadian wind is  stopped by eliocentric current.

Question 3. Yes. I think Sun is influenced by other Stars of our Galaxy. We are rotating around a Galaxy Center with big gravity and emissions from the Center. It should be normal but I think that Uran and Neptune are liKe "filters".

Question 4:

Pluto is little, ok, but it is enough bug to influence Neptune's orbit. I think Pluto is much more protagonist in interation with what is outside of solar system much more as we think. Look at its orbit in this moment...its position is now on the same ellittica plan of other planet.

For the final consideration i think that we have to look better at our solar system to find a "clock". I think that a big  unknown planet doesn’t exist because its orbit would modify to much solar sistem stability. 

I hope to have resolved your doubt the artist...

 

 

[theartist]

Thank you, Michele.

With regard to the 22-yr magnetic cycle of the sun, I still think the effects of other stars are outside of subject influence, or at least, of very minor influence, in consideration of the spatial (vast distances to other stars) and temporal characteristics of the subject timescale.  Think of it as the sun fusion reactor process resonating at 11.x yrs, just as the earth has a Schumann resonance (the spectrograph you posted earlier).

8 hours ago, Michele said:

For the final consideration i think that we have to look better at our solar system to find a "clock"

Yes; I think there is enough influence to the 22yr cycle imprinted within our own solar system.

I suggested a Global, Macro and Minor influence from planetary clocking.  By Global, I refer to the work of Jose (Jose, P. D. (1965) Sun's motion and sunspots. Astron. J., 70, 193)(and recently resurrected by Zharkova) that consider the Solar Inertial Moment about the Barycenter, influencing solar activity over several solar cycles.  What I implied with the more granular Macro influence is what we observed in this thread, regarding how the planetary setup of the Jupiter/Saturn superior conjunction influenced solar activity over several carrington rotations. And the even more granular Micro influence is how planetary positional interrelationships can have near-term effects on solar activity (e.g., directing CME's).

8 hours ago, Michele said:

Question 1: North Pole is migrating faster and faster on the last 20 years increasing speed in these last 2 years (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2019/02/05/earths-magnetic-north-pole-has-officially-moved/amp/)

It is moving, it is not my theory. Now magnetic and geografic poles are about in the same place. Its movement was truscarable until 20 yrs ago about. 

My theory about is that in this cosmic age we have sensible migrations of our magnetic poles each about 41.000 years.

When has it not been moving, in our lifetimes? It is just going back to where it was, yes?  I looked at that issue several months ago and conclude it is over-sensationalizing (click-bait).  Evaluation of the neutron monitor data will tell one whether the magnetosphere is collapsing or not.  The poles may indeed flip, over several hundred years, in a few several thousand years into the future. 🤪

On 11/7/2019 at 3:02 AM, Michele said:

For example for the Carrington event (1 Sep 1859) we were having Uran eliocentric congiuncted to Pleiads (both have strange and powerful electromagnetic stream and peaks),

I don't know too much about all of this, I admit, and there may be more to what you are saying that I'm not yet aware of.  You think there is some type of Pulsar beaming going on to galactic stars?  But it take hundreds of light years for the communication travel, right?   Hmmm......unless it is an indirect affect, pertaining to a communication with what is happening to the set-up of the interstellar medium on the other side heliosphere boundary.  (Well, we could add additional variables to the model to account for the 'unknowns'.)

Edited November 8, 2019 by theartist
Added the Jose reference.

[Michele]

thanks The artist

For 22 yr Sun cycle I think that Saturn/Jupiter influence is for sure involved and it is the most powerful combinated power governing it. I have studied enough to ensure this. I like to understand long cyrcles and try to have a prevision on big solar storm who can hit us. The next year incoming Heliocentric congiunction between Saturn and Jupiter (and Pluton) will give us a lot of new material to sudy and, I am sure, a new view on our Solar system and on its interaction with our Galaxy. A lot of "surprises" will be under our Christmas three this year  and much more on the next one of 2020. (Remind: Heliocentric Congiunction of Pluton/Saturn/Jupiter/) on  21-12-2020, not a common day, a Solstice)

I want to explain a little bit about Pleiades. 

in the Pleiades new stars are borning (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01004713) and generates a lot of flares. Anyway they are new Stars and they have a Massive elettromagnetic emission (and light to!)

Have a look here what happened on 2012, during Heliogeocentric congiunction with Pleiads and other Planets

 I think there are two places that have to be considered outside the Solar system to understand the most long circle: Pleiades and Vega. Reason about Vega it's because it's Pole is directly directed to Solar System in this moment, if you Know Vega there are a lot of reason because it should be important (Vega is rotating at incredible velocity.  But I do not to talk about Vega Now because it is to difficult to enter the topic.

Pleiades are "only" about 400 yl from the Sun.

It is a big mistake to not consider Pleiades in the study of prevision of CME. I have discovered a lot of thinks about them but I can convince you just with one. In 2 of the three most powerful solar storms of last two century Uranus was in Heliocentric congiunction with Pleiades. In the other one we were opposite to Pleiades respect the Sun

A little report of The three bigger solar storm ever (check personally in planetary to enjoy)

18 September 1941 :  Heliocentric congiunction Pleiades-Uran-Saturn-Jupiter

10 may 1921: Heliocentric congiunction Suturn/Jupiter + Approssimative Heliogeocentric congiunction Pleiades/Mercury/Venus/Mars 

01 Septermber 1859: Heliogeocentric congiunction Neptune/Sun/Mercury + heliocenric congiunction Saturn/Mars/Venus + Heliocentric congiunction (10°) Pleiades/Uranus

5 hours ago, theartist said:
When has it not been moving, in our lifetimes? It is just going back to where it was, yes?  I looked at that issue several months ago and conclude it is over-sensationalizing (click-bait).  Evaluation of the neutron monitor data will tell one whether the magnetosphere is collapsing or not.  The poles may indeed flip, over several hundred years, in a few several thousand years into the future

About North Pole I can be agree with you, But if our geomagnetic filed is "erosed" it will be more easy to move it. And we have to wait what is happening to Solar Poles, we are having big signals of a deep Grand Solar Minimum. In the last years speed was increased, let's wait what will happen. But for sure Geomagnetic field is connected to this events.

I woluld like to write much more...I am decripting long count mayan calendar. I am quite Sure they were able, in some way, to look Neptune and Uran...

but now I am tired...:)

PS. Uran is entering again in Taurus, we have to wiat short time until it will be congiuncted by Pleiades!

About North Pole I can be agree with you, But if our geomagnetic filed is "erosed" it will be more easy to move it. And we have to wait what is happening to Solar Poles, we are having big signals of a deep Grand Solar Minimum. In the last years speed was increased, let's wait what will happen. But for sure Geomagnetic field is connected to this events.

I woluld like to write much more...I am decripting long count mayan calendar. I am quite Sure they were able, in some way, to look Neptune and Uran...

but now I am tired...:)

PS. Uran is entering again in Taurus, we have to wiat short time until it will be congiuncted by Pleiades!

[Jenn]

Hi Michele, 

All you have mentioned, I agree with and appreciate your thoughtful posts.
 

Im highly interested in hearing what you find with the Maya calendar via alignments as they were well equipped with wisdom. 
 

I do Astrology Natal Charts, however I use the geocentric- placidus. 

Uranus entered Taurus in May 2018 and will go direct on Jan 10th 2020. Does that figure into your calculations? My software states “the earth will shake” on this day, Jan 12, 2020 for every chart I cast. I don’t read that part to my clients as I’m not sure how to explain the softwares interpretation of a literal shake of the earth 😂 
 

For me I continue to think the ISM is causing a shift in the solar system and planetary objects as well. The core of the Earth and the Core of the Sun interrelates somehow, someway. We will find it because Pluto will allow us to uncover the truth. 😉 

[Michele]

Interesting. Wich mayan calendar do you follow? What day is today in your calendar?

[The Norwegian]

On 7/29/2019 at 10:44 PM, theartist said:

I just had what might be termed an epiphany.  This insight may be a key puzzle piece (i.e., the ROSETTA STONE) into the understanding of how 'planetary clocking' influences solar cycles.  I will hurriedly attempt to get my thoughts down, and go back and clean up as necessary.

I start by showing you the planetary position ~360years (2x180yrs) ago, and ~180years ago, for our current positioning is related.

NOTES:

• Planetary Positioning;
• Planet magnet dipole alignments;
• Heliospheric Current Sheet;
• Potential Consequences for SC25.

Below is the positioning ~360 years ago, when we were in the, so-called, Maunder Minimum.

Below is the positioning ~180 years ago.  This was 1.4 yrs before the "Start" of SC9.  The Smoothed maximum ISN of SC9 was 219.9. (Actually, 25 January 1842 was the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction.😥) 

 

Below is the positioning in contemporary times, with the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction to occur on 21 December 2020. This is 1.8 years after the "Start" of SC25 (this "Start" is tentative, per this thread.)

  

I see that Uranus is in a total different place in its revolution in my simulator compared to yours!! Is it my simulator who is competely "lost in Space"?

[theartist]

4 hours ago, The Norwegian said:

I see that Uranus is in a total different place in its revolution in my simulator compared to yours!! Is it my simulator who is competely "lost in Space"?

As I have indicated on more than one occasion on this forum, I use https://mgvez.github.io/jsorrery/. (I do so at the unfortunate risk that more traffic going to that site will diminish its speed.) 

On 12/24/2019 at 6:19 AM, Jenn said:

For me I continue to think the ISM is causing a shift in the solar system and planetary objects as well. The core of the Earth and the Core of the Sun interrelates somehow, someway.

Hi Jenn, what are you referring to with the term, "ISM"?

[Jenn]

Hey Artist, I was referring to the interstellar medium. Happy New Year !!

[theartist]

Thanks for your reply, Jenn.  (To the 'drive-by' posters and readers that haven't invested time with the forum, I sometimes give a 'thank-you' or 'like' on a post, even though I do not agree with the view in that post.)

Happy New Year!