A NONLINEAR RLC SOLAR-CYCLE MODEL

A simplified, monoparametric model, based on the Van der Pol nonlinear RLC electric oscillator, is found capable of describing the shape and related morphological properties (such as the Waldmeier effect) of th e sunspot cycles. The model can also exhibit long periods of sunspot i nactivity of the Maunder Minimum type. According to the model, the sig nificant rise-to-fall time asymmetry of the most recent cycles suggest s that it is unlikely that another cycle suppression will occur in the forthcoming decades. The complete sunspot record and the system's att ractor are successfully emulated, given the sunspot number at cycle ma xima.