An Overview of Sunspot Observations in 1727–1748

Abstract

Solar activity generally exhibits cyclic behavior in terms of sunspot group number and sunspot positions every ≈11 yr. These sunspot data have therefore played key roles in numerous analyses of solar–terrestrial physics. However, their reconstructions prior to the 1830s have remained controversial and included significant data gaps, especially from the 1720s to the 1740s. Therefore, this study reviewed contemporary sunspot observations for 1727–1748 to add several forgotten records by Van Coesfelt in 1728–1729, Dûclos in 1736, Martin in 1737, and Cassini and Maraldi in 1748. On the basis of these records, this study revised the sunspot group number and newly derived the sunspot positions in this interval. The results show clearer solar cycles in sunspot group number than those of previous studies and indicate regular solar cycles with limited hemispheric asymmetry over Solar Cycles 0 to −2. The sunspot positions also show sunspot groups mostly at heliographic latitude φ fulfilling ∣φ∣ < 35° in both solar hemispheres, with slight equatorward motions. Furthermore, the solar minima between Solar Cycles −2 and −1 and between Solar Cycles −1 and 0 have been located around 1733.5 ± 0.5 and 1743 ± 0.5, indicating cycle lengths of 11.7 ± 0.5 yr and 10.0 ± 1.0 yr, respectively. Our results provide a chronological missing link between the Maunder Minimum and the regular solar cycles observed since Staudach’s observations from 1749 onward. This lets us better understand the transition of solar activity from the grand minimum to the regular solar cycles.