Interesting that you said that, most people think that planets are just along for the ride, but when searching for extrasolar planets, the 'wobble method' observed by stars gives a good hint that there are planets. A sun's environment play a part as to the planet's environment as well (duh), but we have also been traveling among very calm 'seas' so far (local bubble/chimney).

Our sun may have it's tantrums once every eleven years, but it seems that when it's calm, magnetic poles change. I'm sure it will all add up. Geology has a tendency to keep very good records as most of you here know.

http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMWPIUXJUE_index_0.html