Are Uranus & Neptune responsible for Solar Grand Minima and Solar Cycle Modulation?

TL;DR

This study links the angular momentum perturbations caused by Uranus and Neptune to solar activity cycles, suggesting planetary influences can predict solar minima and cycle strength.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of planetary-induced angular momentum perturbations correlating with solar cycle modulations and grand minima, providing a potential predictive framework.

Findings

AM perturbations correlate with solar activity slowdowns

AM perturbations align with solar path changes about the SSB

Future solar cycles 24 & 25 may have reduced sunspot activity

Abstract

Detailed solar Angular Momentum (AM) graphs produced from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) DE405 ephemeris display cyclic perturbations that show a very strong correlation with prior solar activity slowdowns. These same AM perturbations also occur simultaneously with known solar path changes about the Solar System Barycentre (SSB). The AM perturbations can be measured and quantified allowing analysis of past solar cycle modulations along with the 11,500 year solar proxy records (14C & 10Be). The detailed AM information also displays a recurring wave of modulation that aligns very closely with the observed sunspot record since 1650. The AM perturbation and modulation is a direct product of the outer gas giants (Uranus & Neptune). This information gives the opportunity to predict future grand minima along with normal solar cycle strength with some confidence. A proposed mechanical link between solar activity and planetary influence via a discrepancy found in solar/planet AM along with current AM perturbations indicate solar cycle 24 & 25 will be heavily reduced in sunspot activity resembling a similar pattern to solar cycles 5 & 6 during the Dalton Minimum (1790-1830).