Search for Giant Convective Cells from the Analysis of Meudon Spectroheliograms
Abstract
The results of digitizing the K IV spectroheliograms (violet wing of the Ca II line) of the Meudon Collection are discussed. Sunspots are found to rotate faster than old facula by two percent, and it is concluded that they can be tracers of angular momentum transport at the very beginning of their emergence. Afterwards, they become detached from the depth of anchorage and float with the photospheric plasma. A complex meridional circulation, analogous to zonal belts observed on the major planets, has been detected which changes throughout the solar cycle. The existence of two active longitudes together with the meridional circulation pattern suggests that the solar dynamo works as a nonlinear oscillator.
- Publication:
-
High Resolution in Solar Physics
- Pub Date:
- 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BFb0022425
- Bibcode:
- 1985LNP...233..282R
- Keywords:
-
- Meridional Flow;
- Solar Magnetic Field;
- Solar Rotation;
- Spectroheliographs;
- Convection;
- Faculae;
- Solar Granulation;
- Sunspots;
- Solar Physics