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UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect that most scientists do not agree with Valentina Zharkova's claim that a 'grand solar minimum' is coming or that it would cause a significant drop in temperatures.

Space experts have downplayed one scientist's claims that the Sun could be entering a "hibernation period" resulting in plunging temperatures on Earth.

Valentina Zharkova, of Northumbria University, had claimed the Sun will experience a rare phenomenon called a 'grand solar minimum'.

However, experts have dismissed those claims, while warning that will we see increased temperatures instead due to climate change.

Solar scientist Mathew Owens said human activity, including O2 in the atmosphere, will "vastly offset" any reduction in the Sun's energy output.

(Image: Getty Images)

"Thus there will probably be no detectable effect on global climate," he added.

Doug Biesecker, of the Space Weather Prediction Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, added: "There is no evidence we are headed into a grand minimum."

He said that he expected the next solar cycle of weather to be very similar to the last cycle.

A Grand Solar Minimum only comes around every 400 years.