In just 30 years time, the sun could be significantly cooler, leaving us with conditions that may result in freezing conditions.
Based on 20 years of observations and collected data, a research team at the University of California in San Diego has calculated that the sun will be seven per cent cooler, and dimmer, by 2050.
The research team, led by physicist Dan Lubin, believes they have figured out a way to track the sun’s 11-year-cycle.
The sun moves through an 11-year-cycle where it experiences active and quiet periods known as the solar maximum and solar minimum.
Now, scientists believe they have worked out when the next solar minimum could occur.
The next cold period has been labelled as a “grand minimum” during which conditions could be similar to those experienced in Europe in the middle of the 17th century.
During that period, as a result of the extremely low temperatures, the River Thames froze over.
The low temperatures also caused the Baltic Sea to freeze in 1968.
Scientists have said the period, known as the ‘Maunder Minimum’ was similar to a mini ice age and Mr Lubin believes we may experience even worse conditions in 2050.
The scientists predict a “significant probability” of a near-future grand minimum because the downward sunspot pattern in recent solar cycles is similar to the period prior to previous grand minimum events.
During a solar minimum, the sun’s magnetism decreases, fewer sunspots form and less ultraviolet radiation makes it to the surface of the planet.
The conditions mean the sun’s surface appears clearer and it becomes dimmer.
When the sun’s energy is reduced, the first thing that will occur will be a thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer.
The study notes: ”That thinning in turn changes the temperature structure of the stratosphere, which then changes the dynamics of the lower atmosphere, especially wind and weather patterns.”
According to the scientists, despite the cooler temperatures, this will not put a stop to climate change, however, it could slow down the effects.
The study reads: “The cooling effect of a grand minimum is only a fraction of the warming effect caused by the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.”
Scientists estimate the grand minimum would most likely only result in cooling the earth by about 0.25 per cent between 2020 and 2070.
As a result, the surface of the earth would cool by up to several tenths of a degree Celsius, which is not enough to stop global warming, although it could reduce its effects.