Are we facing a mini Ice Age?

Three new studies forecast a possible global cooling — but it's not time to put away your sunscreen yet

Scientists say we could see cooler temperatures in the next few years, which means winters may be a lot more white.
(Image credit: Hans Strand/Corbis)

Keep your sweater handy — the sun may be heading into a period of reduced sunspot activity that could cause a slight cooling effect here on Earth, according to three separate scientific studies announced this week. Does that mean we're headed for a mini Ice Age? Here, a brief guide to the research:

First off, what are sunspots?

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