The Maunder minimum as a secular minimum with non-stopped Sunspot cyclicity

Abstract

One of the most enigmatic features of the solar history is the Maunder minimum (1645–1715). We compare the scatter of amplitudes of the 11-year cycles, according to the new Sunspot Number and Sunspot Group series version 2.0, along with scenario of the Maunder minimum as a period with non-stopped cyclicity. We demonstrate that both amplitude and duration of cycles after the Gleissberg and Maunder minima are similar. Moreover, times of minima and maxima of cycles in the course the Maunder minimum coincide with those during the Gleissberg one, indicating a secular variation. Usefulness of the proxy data within the Maunder minimum is discussed. The scatter of amplitudes and duration of the Schwabe cycles in the past is argued to be comparable with those in the modern epoch.