Sunspot Decay as Turbulent Erosion of a Magnetic Flux Tube
Abstract
Decisive evidence is presented against the validity of the conventional linear decay law for sunspots. Preliminary results from a statistical analysis of Debrecen Photoheliographic Results data show that the decay rate of sunspots is significantly slower in late phases of the decay than in earlier phases. Our findings are compatible with the predictions of a recently developed turbulent erosion model for sunspot decay.
- Publication:
-
1st Advances in Solar Physics Euroconference. Advances in Physics of Sunspots
- Pub Date:
- 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997ASPC..118..145P
- Keywords:
-
- SUNSPOT DECAY;
- TURBULENCE;
- MHD;
- FLUX TUBES;
- DIFFUSION;
- DPR