Kepler's 1607 Sunspot Drawings Rewrite Solar Cycle History

New analysis of Johannes Kepler's early sunspot observations reveals critical insights into solar cycles preceding the Maunder Minimum.

Researchers used Kepler's 1607 drawings to date solar cycles before the telescopic era.
The study challenges previous assumptions about the duration of early 17th-century solar cycles.
Kepler's findings help clarify the transition to the Maunder Minimum, a period of reduced solar activity.
The research underscores the value of historical astronomical records in modern scientific analysis.
Understanding past solar activity aids in predicting future solar behavior and its impact on Earth.