Sunspot cycle
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The sunspot cycle is a periodic variation in the number of sunspots. Over the last 271, 23 of these have been observed with an average length of 11 years.[1] A period of time when there are few sunspots is called a solar minimum. The longest one was the Maunder Minimum, and it corresponded with the Little Ice Age (1650 to 1850).[2]
Notes
- ↑ "The number of sunspots reaches a maximum about every 11 years ..." Davison E. Soper, Institute of Theoretical Science, University of Oregon
- ↑ "That period also correlates with the Little Ice Age, which started in 1650 and ended in the mid-1800s." Low sunspot cycle fascinates scientists, who say there's no reason to panic - Santa Fe New Mexican