Päikeseminimumis

Päikeseminimumis refers to the period of lowest solar activity during the Sun's approximately 11-year cycle. This cycle is characterized by variations in the number of sunspots visible on the Sun's surface, as well as changes in solar phenomena like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. At the minimum, the number of sunspots is at its lowest, often approaching zero for extended periods.

The decrease in solar activity during a solar minimum is not uniform. While sunspot numbers decline, the Sun still exhibits some magnetic activity. However, the overall energy output from the Sun can be slightly reduced during these times. This reduction, while small on an absolute scale, has been a subject of scientific interest regarding its potential influence on Earth's climate.

The timing of solar minimums is predictable based on historical observations and scientific models of the solar cycle. Scientists monitor various solar parameters to track the Sun's activity and identify these minimum and maximum periods. Understanding the solar cycle and its minimums is crucial for space weather forecasting, as well as for long-term climate studies. The next solar minimum is anticipated around the mid-2020s.