Possible explanations of the Maunder minimum from a flux transport dynamo model

TL;DR

This paper uses a flux transport dynamo model to explain the Maunder minimum by proposing abrupt reductions in the poloidal field and meridional circulation, successfully replicating historical solar activity records.

Contribution

It introduces a novel explanation for the Maunder minimum by linking it to sudden drops in key solar magnetic components within a dynamo model.

Findings

Model reproduces key features of Maunder minimum

Abrupt reductions in poloidal field and meridional circulation explain the minimum

Provides a plausible mechanism for grand solar minima

Abstract

We propose that at the beginning of the Maunder minimum the poloidal field or amplitude of meridional circulation or both fell abruptly to low values. With this proposition, a flux transport dynamo model is able to reproduce various important aspects of the historical records of the Maunder minimum remarkably well.