Kepler's 1607 Sunspot Drawings Illuminate Solar Cycle Mysteries

New analysis of Johannes Kepler's early observations provides insights into the sun's activity and historical solar cycles.

Kepler's drawings from 1607 reveal details of a sunspot group using a camera obscura.
The sketches suggest the sun was at the end of a solar cycle, challenging previous theories.
Researchers applied Spörer's law to place Kepler's observations accurately in the solar cycle timeline.
The findings contribute to understanding the Maunder Minimum, a period of reduced sunspot activity.
Kepler's work underscores the importance of historical records in modern scientific analysis.