NASA Astronomers Predict Solar Minimum is Coming

ScienceCasts: Solar Minimum is Coming; source: Science at NASA

The Sun, our nearest Star is going through a period of Decline in Solar Activity. How long a period of Decline in Solar Activity we will experience is yet to be seen. However, there is much in the way of Historical Data in which we can determine what life may look like as a result of several cycles of Declining Solar Activity. In fact we have already started to descend into A Grand Solar Minimum as of the end of 2008 or early 2009 depending who's interpretation of the data you believe. For today I will not be splitting hairs. I have also mentioned previously that a Super Grand Solar Minimum quite possible. However, whether or not this turns out to be a short term cycle of Solar Decline or long term cycle, one thing is for sure. It will mean big changes of varying degrees for mankind. Right now we are entering the Solar Minimum of Cycle 24. If predictions hold true, Solar Cycle 25 will be a continued decline in Solar Activity as Sun Spot Numbers continue to decrease over each continuous Sun Spot Cycle. There, is one problem however. One of the attached articles "NASA Astronomers Predict Solar Minimum Is Coming" state that Solar Minimum will take place in 2019-2020. But not so fast. Sun Spot Cycles generally last about 11 years from start to finish However, there is some variability.  Sometimes, albeit rare a Sun Spot Cycle can be as short as 9 years or as long as 14 years.  Below, is some of the latest Sun Spot Cycle Data from The Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA.

Sunspot Cycle Progression, NOAA (Observed data through March 2019)

As you can see from the graph above Solar Cycle 24 may extend past 2020 and go all the way out to 2022 or 2023. Who knows possibly longer. According to the NOAA website the "Prediction Panel" which consists of members from NOAA, NASA and ISES (International Space Environment Service) predicted what the Maximum number of Sun Spots peaking in May of 2013 was supposed to be. However, ""The Prediction Panel (which) forecasts the sunspot number expected for solar maximum and had predicted a maximum of 90 occurring in May, 2013.  While awaiting final confirmation, all evidence points to the most recent solar maximum having peaked at 82 in April, 2014.  This was within the expected range for the peak, but occurred significantly later than predicted."" (source; Space Weather Prediction Center, NOAA; Details)  The first question which should be considered is if the peak of Cycle 24 peaked 11 Months later will we enter Sun Spot Cycle 25 11 months later or a period of time which may be exponential? No one knows because we really do not know when one cycle ends until the next Sun Spot Cycle begins. But what about Sun Spot Cycle 23? Below will Sun Spot Cycle 23 again from The Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA. Now, instead of me telling you what is going here how about you put aside the CO2 hype for a while and and figure out for yourselves what is going with our nearest star. In the mean time for those of you out there who believe that CO2 Drives Climate start applying some common sense!