Recalibrating the Sunspot Number (SN): The 3rd and 4th SN Workshops
Abstract
At the XIIth Hvar Astrophysical Colloquium in 2012, we reviewed the progress of an effort begun in 2011 to recalibrate the sunspot number (SN). That work is now nearing completion and we review the motivation, approach, and results of this process which was conducted via a series of four international workshops. Previously we discussed the principal results of workshops at Sunspot in 2011 and Brussels in 2012. These involved the identification of discontinuities circa 1885 in the Hoyt and Schatten Group SN and 1945 in the International SN. Subsequently, workshops were held in Tucson (2013) and Locarno (2014). Key results during the time of these two workshops included: (1) development of an independent ''backbone'' method for determining the Group sunspot number; (2) identification of post-1970 inhomogeneities in the Group SN and the International SN; (3) construction of preliminary revisions of the Group SN from 1610-present and the International SN from 1700--present; (4) reassessment (ongoing) of the Hoyt and Schatten Group SN data base from 1610-present; and (5) establishment of a SN archive at the University of Extremadura. The release of the new International and Group SN series is anticipated during the second half of 2015 and procedures are being put in place both to maintain the calibration of these two series and to produce subsequent revisions should more historical data be unearthed or new inhomogeneities in the series be uncovered or arise.
- Publication:
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Central European Astrophysical Bulletin
- Pub Date:
- 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015CEAB...39....1C
- Keywords:
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- Sun;
- sunspot number;
- solar dynamo;
- climate change