I don't usually wonder about this sort of thing out loud and in such professional company, but here goes:
When I heard that Etna(a decade volcano) errupted yet again (yesterday), my wonderings took me on a net journey/tangent:
http://istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/earthmag/reversal.htm
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/solar_snap_000622.html
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/earth_wobble_010131.html
It's also has been busy out there as of late:
http://science.msfc.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast15feb_1.htm
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast21jun_1.htm
I know, it may still be a while until we have Vega as our Northern Star again (as they predict).
http://www.ccnet.com/odyssey/sfa695.html
I know this list is sporatic, but here may be some common factors there.
Marcia
*My husband thinks I'm obsessed. My son's fault for asking so many questions. :)
Is Earth due for a flip (in magnetic poles)? Magnetic field weakening?
