The Impact of Sunspots on the Earth

Sunspots are naturally occurring pockets of super concentrated magnetic energy that stops the standard method of convection on the sun. This means that the strength of the magnetic pull in these spots is so great, the normal heat flow of the gases and plasmas on the surface of the sun are disturbed. For this reason, sunspots are actually colder surfaces on the sun.

Sunspots occur a basic eleven year pattern. They build up quickly, then dissipate slowly through this cycle (rightly call the sunspot cycle). Written and natural observation show that this cycle has been happening for millions of years. The earliest written documentation about sunspots can be found in the year 364 BC. These observations were made by the Chinese astronomer Gan De. Natural data comes from studying tree rings and the thickness of rock sedimentation, where there is evidence of thickening during eleven year periods.

 It is only recently that the effect of sunspots on the Earth has been studied. Since we can see the pattern for millions of years, one would think that it would be obvious there is some sort of impact from these cycles. Closer observation has shown that the overall temperature of the Earth fluxes in time with these cycles.


Sunspot cycles occur within 11 years, sometimes shortening their time, and sometimes lengthening the number of years. Since 2007, however, we have been in an over extended minimum period. This means there have been very few sunspots, sometimes even going days without a single visible spot. The last time such a minimum was seen has been termed a Maunder Minimum.This period, from roughly 1645 to 1715 is also known as the "Little Ice Age".

During the Little Ice Age, Northern Europe saw many changes. Farms were destroyed by moving glaciers, and many villages were able to have winter festivals on frozen lakes/ponds. A huge impact was the freezing of the seas, were armies were able to cross bodies of water to attack other nations, such as in 1658 when the Swedish Army crossed the frozen seawater to conquer Copenhagen.

It seems that we may soon be coming to another Maunder Minimum, or our own modern mini iceage. Some argue that this disproves man made climate change, and state that the weather on Earth is largely impacted by the Sun. Others state that we are still in a state of global warming, and that it is a good thing we may be entering an ice age so that rising temperatures are not as readily felt. No matter what, it seems things are changing, for better or for worse, and the only thing to do is sit and watch.