I’m putting this here as it regularly comes up in discussion.
From the available research, there is no convincing evidence confirming cosmic rays have a “major factor” in determining cloud cover. The ionising of air by cosmic rays will impart an electric charge to aerosols, which in theory could encourage them to clump together to form particles large enough to form cloud droplets, called “cloud condensation nuclei”.
However, the majority of physicists who research this area say such clumping has yet shown to occur. Even if it does, it seems far-fetched to expect any great effect on clouds in the atmosphere. Most of the atmosphere, even relatively clean marine air, has plenty of cloud condensation nuclei already.
It is also not even clear whether the satellite measurements of changes in cloudiness are correct or how these changes have affected temperature, as it is unknown if clouds cover may mitigate global warming or amplify it.
CERN CLOUD experiment
Why Solar Activity And Cosmic Rays Can’t Explain Global Warming
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