|
| ©MDI |
| The sun is still showing that blank face |
The current period of solar inactivity has now become unusually long in duration, according to some scientists at a recent international solar conference, which was held at Montana State University.
About 100 scientists attended the conference which focused on solar variability, earth's climate and space environment.
|
| ©Unknown |
| The solar cycle |
The sun usually runs on an 11-year cycle, with maximum sunspot activity during the middle of the cycle and a minimum of activity as the cycles change. According to the MSU press release, periods of inactivity are normal for the sun, but the current period has gone on longer than usual, and scientists are not sure why and they do not know how long it will continue to be inactive.
The last cycle (#23) peaked in 2001 and is ending now, while the new cycle (#24) should peak around 2012.
Previously, some much longer periods of inactivity have coincided with global cooling.
The Maunder Minimum examined
Reader Comments
to our Newsletter