Equatorial solar rotation and its relation to climatic changes

Abstract

THE equatorial solar rotation speed, estimated from observations made over the past 10 years of the sunspot longitudinal motions over the solar disk, has shown a tendency to increase as relative sunspot numbers decreased. During these years, covering most of solar cycle no. 20 (1965-76), the magnitude of the solar rotation speed averaged annualy showed a good inverse correlation with the annual relative sunspot numbers. I suggest here that this variation of the equatorial solar rotation speed may be responsible for the Earth's present unusual climatic conditions. © 1977 Nature Publishing Group.