Figure 9-8 The Sunspot Cycle (a) The number of sunspots on the Sun varies with a period of about 11 years. The most recent sunspot maximum occurred in 2013, and the most recent sunspot minimum began in 2007 (and continued through 2010). (b) The active Sun has many sunspots (this photo was taken in 1979). (c) The Sun has many fewer sunspots when it is not active (this photo, showing a time with no sunspots, was taken in 1986).