Sun is in quiet ‘lockdown’ period of solar cycle – but scientists dismiss ‘apocalypse’ theories
OUR sun has gone into lockdown, with reduced solar activity as part of an 11-year cycle.
The sun is currently in a period of “solar minimum”, meaning activity on its surface has fallen.
Experts believe we are about to enter a deep sunshine "recession", with very low sunspots recorded.
Astronomer Dr Tony Phillips said: “Solar Minimum is under way, and it’s a deep one.
“Sunspot counts suggest it is one of the deepest of the past century. The sun’s magnetic field has become weak, allowing extra cosmic rays into the solar system.
“Excess cosmic rays pose a health hazard to astronauts and polar air travellers, affect the electro-chemistry of Earth’s upper atmosphere, and may help trigger lightning.”
Despite false fears that this could play havoc with our weather systems, scientists say we won't say brutal cold, crop loss, famine or volcanic eruptions linked to the solar minimum.
"There are no convincing links between solar activity/cosmic rays and climate variations," said Rasmus Benestad, a senior scientist at the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
"The global warming trend in the last decades cannot be explained in terms of solar activity because there has not been any trend in solar activity."
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Disclaimer: A previous version of this article included misleading claims that the current solar minimum may be linked to extreme cold weather, crop loss, famine, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The scientific consensus disagrees with these claims, and the article has been amended.
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