The Maunder Minimum refers to a period of significantly reduced solar activity that occurred from about 1645 to 1715. During this time, sunspots, which are dark spots on the sun's surface caused by magnetic activity, were extremely rare. This phenomenon coincided with the coldest part of the Little Ice Age, a time when Europe experienced notably colder temperatures. The Maunder Minimum is named after the British astronomer Edward Maunder, who studied historical sunspot records. The reduced solar activity during this period is believed to have contributed to the colder climate, impacting agriculture and leading to harsh winters in regions like Europe and North America.