Drop in Solar Activity Predicted

Sun’s Fading Spots Signal Big Drop in Solar Activity

by Denise Chow, SPACE.com Staff Writer
Date: 14 June 2011 Time: 03:50 PM ET

Some unusual solar readings, including fading sunspots and weakening magnetic activity near the poles, could be indications that our sun is preparing to be less active in the coming years.

The results of three separate studies seem to show that even as the current sunspot cycle swells toward the solar maximum, the sun could be heading into a more-dormant period, with activity during the next 11-year sunspot cycle greatly reduced or even eliminated.

to read more, go to:    http://www.space.com/11960-fading-sunspots-slower-solar-activity-solar-cycle.html