1. Where have all the sunspots gone?
- Author
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Goddard, Alison
- Subjects
- *
SUNSPOTS , *SOLAR cycle , *EFFECT of solar activity on climate change , *EFFECT of solar activity on weather , *SOLAR activity - Abstract
The article reports on sunspot observations. It is said that weeks, and sometimes months, went by in 2009 without a single sunspot. This could be due to the sun's magnetic field reversing direction, which it does periodically. However, some scientists argue that it might instead be the start of a longer cycle of solar inactivity, similar to one observed from 1645 to 1715 called the Maunder Minimum. The potential impact on the earth's weather and climate is discussed.
- Published
- 2009