The Dimming of the Sun

I've noted before that there are several scriptures prophesying in the last days the sun would be dimmed. See Joel 2:28-32. (But see also Matt. 24:29 and Revelation 6:12). Although these scriptures likely refer to smoke or clouds obscuring the sun and moon, we are seeing a literal dimming of the sun right now. 

From the Inform the Pundits blog on the diminishing number of sunspots:

The monthly International Sunspot Number from the Solar Information Data Center (SIDC) of the Royal Observatory of Belgium was released December 1st. It fell to 77.6 spots/day. 

Most newsworthy is that this is still the weakest solar max in over 200 years, well below NASA’s forecast. 

Equally important for Earth’s future climate is an emerging pattern in overall sunspot magnetic field strength. Its decline is no longer linear!

... We may be witnessing the sun’s last dying gasps before entering into a long slumber. The impact of that slumber on Earth’s climate remains the subject of growing scientific speculation.

... Its been known for years that sunspot umbral magnetic field strength has been declining while their intensity has been rising, thanks to researchers Matt Penn and Bill Livingston at the National Solar Observatory.

The changes are independent of the 11-year sunspot cycle.

A steady decline in umbral magnetic field strength is the most dramatic evidence that sunspots are fading away. Should their field strength drop below 1,500 gauss it becomes physically impossible for sunspots to form and they will disappear.

Less sunspot activity reduces the sun’s radiant energy output and cools Earth.

 The author concludes:

Sunspots may not disappear completely, but they will be so weak that a long term decrease in solar wind and a slight but prolonged decrease in the sun’s temperature will result.


The latest solar data from this month reinforces the belief that our sun is headed into a long-term period of low solar activity.


As time goes on a link between decreasing solar activity and the halt in global warming 17 years ago becomes harder and harder to deny.

 Powerline Blog broaches the same subject, noting:

... But many scientists are growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of a long-term chill. The Earth has barely emerged from the Little Ice Age, and already solar activity is diminishing to an alarmingly low level. At Watts Up With That, Dr. Leif Svalgaard says, “None of us alive have ever seen such a weak cycle.”

 (H/t Instapundit)