(E) outlining the specific reasons why a long standing problem in solar physics is thought to be soluble at last
22. Which of the following statements concerning the comparison between pre- industrial and post-industrial climate change, as described in the passage, is accurate

(A) During the minima phase of the cycle, there is lower overall irradiance but greater local irradiance, and fewer sunspots.
(B) During the minima phase of the cycle, there is greater overall irradiance but lower local irradiance, and fewer sunspots.
(C) During the maxima phase of the cycle, there is lower local irradiance but greater overall irradiance, and more sunspots.
(D) During the maxima phase of the cycle, there is lower overall irradiance but greater local irradiance, and more sunspots.
(E) During the maxima phase of the cycle, there is lower overall irradiance but greater local irradiance, and fewer sunspots.

(A) provides more accurate records of changes in the earth’s surface climate than previously existed
(B) have begun to conclusively establish a decline in the number of sunspots over the past two solar cycles
(C) are plagued with too many problems to conclusively establish them as more accurate than older historical records
(D) are a conclusive indicator of the effect of solar maxima on the earth’s pre- industrial climate
(E) have been employed by scientists seeking to argue that the number of sunspots during solar minima are on the increase