How accurate are past records of sunspots? In a new study published in The Astrophysical Journal, a team of multinational researchers examined the historical record and found that after the unusual ...

A scientist who claims waning solar activity in the next 15 years will trigger what some are calling a mini ice age has revived talk about the effects of man-made versus natural disruptors to Earth's ...

In 1645, something strange happened with our sun. Galileo was one of the first astronomers to document temporary blemishes on the solar surface, called “sunspots.” But in the mid 17th century they ...

Sunspots change in number depending on how much magnetic activity the solar dynamo generates. But there's not total chaos: These changes occur in a cycle, which lasts about 11 years on average. The ...

A 417-year-old drawing by Johannes Kepler has just helped solve a major solar puzzle. The 1607 sketch features sunspots that give scientists important insights into how the Sun behaved during the ...

A nearby sun-like star that seems to have paused its own cycles and entered a period of rare starspots may offer an answer to a centuries-old mystery, researchers say. The number of sunspots on our ...

We discuss how, in the 1970's, Eddy took clues from the historical researches of Spörer and Maunder in the 19th century to draw attention to the virtual absence of sunspot activity between 1645 and ...

Stephen has degrees in science (Physics major) and arts (English Literature and the History and Philosophy of Science), as well as a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication. Stephen has degrees in ...