NEW: Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 3 days
2009 total: 105 days (85%)
Since 2004: 616 days
Typical Solar Min: 485 days...
It seems to me the lack of sunspots in 1918 might have something to do with the Flu Outbreak...
Maybe that is what we are experiencing?
The Maunder Minimum
Early records of sunspots indicate that the Sun went through a period of inactivity in the late 17th century. Very few sunspots were seen on the Sun from about 1645 to 1715. Although the observations were not as extensive as in later years, the Sun was in fact well observed during this time and this lack of sunspots is well documented. This period of solar inactivity also corresponds to a climatic period called the “Little Ice Age” when rivers that are normally ice-free froze and snow fields remained year-round at lower altitudes. There is evidence that the Sun has had similar periods of inactivity in the more distant past. The connection between solar activity and terrestrial climate is an area of on-going research.
http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/SunspotCycle.shtml
Everyone knows the lack of sunspots and solar flares will bring tornados in Kansas and snow in Colorado, floods along the Red river and earth quakes in Calif.
We’re all gonna die, we’re all gonna die.
Deep solar minima mean an increase in cloudy, cool days, which promote colds and flu.