At the same time, end-user companies affirm that the rise of cloud is generally having a positive effect on IT employment.

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If either is right, Drs Close and Kirkby hope to be able to tell just how big an effect cosmic rays should have on cloud formation.

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One effect of the beam is to polarise the cloud of electrons surrounding each rubidium nucleus, meaning that part of the atom becomes a negatively charged pole, and part a positively charged pole.

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The overall effect is a surface with a soft, cumulous cloud-like appearance.

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Less ice on rivers, lakes and the sea will lead to more evaporation, probably increasing cloud cover at mid-levels, which should have a cooling effect.

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In order to dominate the cloud, Google, Amazon or Microsoft must propagate a similar kind of bandwagon effect.

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Many students of climate change argue that, although the artificial release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide works to raise the global temperature, particulate pollution should, by promoting cloud cover and thus reflecting solar energy back into space, have a compensating cooling effect.

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But if Svensmark was correct, it would mean that periods of high solar output should coincide with reduced cloud formation (due to reduced cosmic ray incidence), which in turn would have a warming effect on the Earth, since less sunlight would be reflected back into space by clouds.

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