Astronomers pointed out that the sun has now gone 15 consecutive days without the occurrence of sunspots. This has marked 58% of the days of 2019 with the lack of sunspots. The cycle that the sun follows entails 11 years where the sun would reach a solar maximum and would later shift into its solar minimum. When it is at its solar maximum, the sun would give off more heat. It is also frequented by a higher number of sunspots.
Space Weather reports a cosmic forecasting site, they have observed that the sun has been without spots for 15 consecutive days which points to the start of a solar minimum. The occurrence of solar minimum is of high importance as some climate experts believe that solar cycles impose a bigger threat to the Earth as compared to global warming that is caused by destructive human activities.
Vijay Jayaraj, one of the environmental scientists from the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, believes that global warming is the product of solar cycles. The said alliance is a Christian group that does not believe that global warming is caused by man’s actions. Jayaraj pointed out that the sun is the biggest influence when it comes to global temperature.
Jayaraj added that the National Aeronautics And Space Administration (NASA) has a page explaining that solar influence has been determining the atmospheric and surface temperatures of the Earth. The scientist also cited an example explaining that temperature changes since 1990 have coincided more with the changes in solar activity as compared to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.
According to the Scientific community, the sun was not expected to head into a solar minimum until 2020. However, the solar minimum has started early. Experts states this would mean a prolonged cold snap for the planet. The experts feel that it is important to point out that the last time that there was a prolonged solar minimum, a mini Ice Age has occurred which lasted for 70 years. The seven decades of freezing weather, known as the Maunder minimum, lasted from 1645 to 1715. During this time, there is a very low occurrence of sunspots.
In addition, global temperatures during the time dropped by 1.3°C that have shortened seasons and have affected the food chain that ultimately led to food shortages.
