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We present an overview of the spectral variability of the peculiar F-type hypergiant Cas, obtained from our long-term monitoring campaigns over the past 8.5 yr with four spectrographs in the northern hemisphere. Between 2000 June and September an exceptional variability phase occurred when the V brightness dimmed by about a full magnitude. The star recovered from this deep minimum by 2001 April. It is the third outburst of Cas on record in the last century. We observe TiO absorption bands in high-resolution near-IR spectra obtained with the Utrecht Echelle Spectrograph during the summer of 2000. TiO formation in the outer atmosphere occurred before the deep brightness minimum. Atmospheric models reveal that the effective temperature decreases by at least 3000 K, and the TiO shell is driven supersonically with _ M M ' 5:4 Â 10 À2 M yr À1 . Strong episodic mass loss and TiO have also been observed during the outbursts of 1945-1947 and 1985-1986. A detailed analysis of the exceptional outburst spectra is provided, by comparing with high-resolution optical spectra of the early M-type supergiants l Cep (Ia) and Betelgeuse (Iab). During the outburst, central emission appears above the local continuum level in the split Na D lines. A prominent optical emission line spectrum appears in variability phases of fast wind expansion. The radial velocity curves of H and of photospheric metal absorption lines signal a very extended and velocity-stratified dynamic atmosphere. The outburst spectra indicate the formation of a low-temperature, optically thick circumstellar gas shell of 3 Â 10 À2 M during 200 days, caused by dynamic instability of the upper atmosphere of this pulsating massive supergiant near the Eddington luminosity limit. We observe that the mass-loss rate during the outburst is of the same order of magnitude as has been proposed for the outbursts of Carinae. We present calculations that correctly predict the outburst timescale, whereby the shell ejection is driven by the release of hydrogen ionization recombination energy.

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We describe the properties of the Sun, those of its Active Regions (Centres of Activity, ARs or CAs) and the 11 and 22-year cycles as observed via the variable numbers of sunspots. We describe the variations with time of the solar irradiance and of the flux of ejected magnetised plasma. We discuss the probable cause of solar variability. Planetary influences are ruled out; the variability is intrinsic and is described by the solar dynamo. The dynamo is characterised by internal toroidal and more superficial poloidal fields, interchanging and alternating in a 22-year periodicity. From these two components in the solar magnetic fields emanate two possible scenarios for the Sun-climate interaction.Solar irradiance variations are related to those in the solar toroidal magnetic fields. The fraction of the solar irradiance that reaches the Earth's ground level and low troposphere is emitted by the solar photosphere. That fraction does not significantly vary since the quiet photosphere does not significantly vary during the cycle. The variable part of the solar radiation flux is mainly emitted by the chromospheric parts of the CAs. That radiation component does not reach the Earth's troposphere since it is absorbed in the higher, stratospheric terrestrial layers. Tropospheric solar-driven variations should therefore be due to stratosphere-troposphere coupling. The Group Sunspot number R Gs is a proxy for the variable irradiance component and for the toroidal field variations.Ejected solar plasma clouds such as the Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and plasma ejected from Ephemeral Solar Regions and from the polar facular regions are related to variations in the poloidal magnetic fields. On the average they have their maximum intensity about a year after the maximum number of spots: we call this interval the Energetic Emissions Delay. These gas clouds fill the heliosphere with magnetised plasma. Thus, by emitting magnetised plasma, the Sun influences the Earth's atmosphere indirectly, by heliospheric modulation of the component of the galactic cosmic radiation (CR) that reaches tropospheric levels. Modulation is only important for cosmic ray particles with energies below about 50 GeV. Cosmic ray ionisation plays a minor role at ground level but it is the predominant ionising agent in higher atmospheric layers, already above a few kilometres. The amplitudes of the CR variations depend on those of the solar cycle. The atmospheric rate of ionisation varies with CR-intensity. A current hypothesis is that the variable ionisation may affect the degree of cloudiness. Cosmogenic radionuclides such as 10 Be are proxies for this influence and for the poloidal field variations.The R G and cosmogenic radionuclide proxies, although loosely correlated, refer to the two different aspects of the solar dynamo with their different terrestrial effects; they do not reach maximum intensity simultaneously and should therefore neither be confused nor be interchanged. Cases have occurred in which the one varied strongly while the other did hardly o...