No sunspots for a month

In the recent article highlighting the historical event of zero sunspots for one full month, does point to a very important consequence. This recent event is significant as many climatologists now believe solar magnetic activity, which determines the number of sunspots, is an influencing factor for climate on Earth. According to data from Mount Wilson Observatory, UCLA, more than an entire month has passed without a spot. The last time such an event occurred was June of 1913. Sunspot data has been collected since 1749.When the Sun is active, it is not uncommon to see sunspot numbers of 100 or more in a single month. Every 11 years, activity slows, and numbers briefly drop to near-zero. Normally sunspots return very quickly, as a new cycle begins. But this year, which corresponds to the start of Solar Cycle 24, has been extraordinarily long and quiet, with the first seven months averaging a sunspot number of only 3. August followed with none at all. The astonishing rapid drop of the past year has defied predictions, and caught nearly all astronomers by surprise.