Empirical Evidence of Planetary Group Configurations Modulating Solar Activity

TL;DR

This study provides empirical evidence linking specific planetary configurations to modulations in solar activity, demonstrated through analysis of sunspot data over nearly a century, revealing reduced variability and activity levels following these configurations.

Contribution

It is the first to empirically connect planetary group configurations with observable changes in solar activity using long-term sunspot data.

Findings

Sunspot variability decreases during planetary configuration events.

Solar activity levels decline approximately 21 days after events.

No internal solar oscillations detected at relevant timescales.

Abstract

Our prior research found that a $90^{\circ}$ configuration of two planetary groups were temporally associated with significant changes in global electromagnetic standing waves (Schumann resonances) during and after the three $90^{\circ}$ configuration events occurring in late 2017 and early 2018. Specifically noted were reductions in variability moving into an event and level changes immediately after a event. Because global standing-wave data have a short history and no $90^{\circ}$ events have occurred since that period, we examine here whether these geometric configuration events correspond to similar signatures in the long sunspot count record. Using daily sunspot data from January 1935 through December 2024, we conducted empirical studies assessing variance changes, post-event level shifts, and potential intrinsic oscillatory structure. In Study A, a variance-ratio test showed that sunspot variability was systematically lower during the events than in the preceding period, with 21 of 26 events since 1935 exhibiting reduced variance (binomial $p=0.0025$). In Study B, solar activity level declined roughly 21 days after events ended, with 21 of 26 events showing negative changes (binomial $p=0.0025$). In Study C, wavelet and filtering analyses revealed no internal solar oscillations at comparable timescales. These findings provide empirical evidence that the configuration events are associated with shifts in solar activity. The next three configuration events in mid- and late-2026 offer an opportunity to assess these patterns in real time.