Solar irradiance during the Maunder minimum

Abstract

The total solar irradiance for the Maunder minimum (1645-1715) is obtained using the solar rotation rate calculated from the observations of sunspots recorded at the Observatoire de Para from 1660-1719. On the average, the irradiance was lower than at present by 0.1 to 0.43 %. This is compatible with the global cooling of Earth observed in the second half of the 17 th century. Our approach allows better calculations of rotation rates and HK fluxes than models based on apparent solar radius changes.