Application of the Grey Topological Theory in the Prediction of Yearly Mean Sunspot Numbers and

The topological prediction theory of grey system is introduced in this paper, and the grey topological prediction model has been founded by using a series of smoothed yearly mean values of sunspot numbers from 1944 to 2008. Then this grey topological prediction model is applied to the prediction of the smoothed yearly mean sunspot numbers for the solar cycles 24, 25, and 26 from 2009 to 2039, respectively. The results indicate that the maximum values of sunspot numbers will most probably appear in 2014, 2023, and 2033, and the peak values are about 90, 110, and 130, respectively. And the predicted minimum values of about 20, 20, and 10 will occur around 2017, 2025, and 2039, respectively.