Modelling grand minima of solar activity using a flux transport dynamo model

Abstract

The occurrence of grand minima like the Maunder minimum is an intriguing aspect of the sunspot cycle. We use the flux transport dynamo model to explain the grand minima, showing that they arise when either the poloidal field or the meridional circulation falls to a sufficiently low value due to fluctuations. Assuming these fluctuations to be Gaussian and determining the various parameters from the data of the last 28 cycles, we carry on a dynamo simulation with both these fluctuations. The results are remarkably close to the observational data.