The Large-Scale Magnetic Field on the Sun: The Equatorial Region
Abstract
The sector structure and variations in the large-scale magnetic field of the Sun are studied in detail using solar magnetic-field data taken over a long time interval (1915 1990). The two-sector and four-sector structures are independent entities (i.e., their cross correlation is very small), and they are manifest in different ways during the main phases of the 11-year cycle. The contribution of the two-sector structure increases toward the cycle minimum, whereas that of the four-sector structure is larger near the maximum. The magnetic-field sources determining the two-sector structure are localized near the bottom of the convection zone. The well-known 2 3-year quasi-periodic oscillations are primarily associated with the four-sector structure. The variations in the rotational characteristics of these structures have a period of 55 60 years. The results obtained are compared with the latest helioseismology data.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy Reports
- Pub Date:
- February 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1134/1.163828
- Bibcode:
- 2000ARep...44..103O