Are We Entering The “Grand Minimum?”

 

This incredible picture is from NOAA and shows the sun which is going through an extremely low activity period — the lowest since 2009.  The picture is breathtaking.  There is a discussion of whether we are into what scientists call a “grand minimum,” which could cause global cooling.

 

A Grand Minimum can produce a cooldown with the diminishment of the Sun’s magnetism.  There is also a reduction in sunspots and ultraviolet radiation. The expectation is a cooling atmosphere as discussed here.

There is also something called “the Maunder Minimum” in the 1600s.  This period ranged from 1645 to 1715 when sunspots became exceedingly rare.

Here is the chart on the reduction:

Here is a wonderful video explaining the Grand Minimum:

 

 

 

 

Frankly, I just really liked the picture.