Evolution of a very complex active region during the decay phase of Cycle 23
Abstract
We study the emergence and evolution of AR NOAA 10314, observed on the solar disk during March 13-19, 2003. This extremely complex AR is of particular interest due to its unusual magnetic flux distribution and the clear rotation of the polarities of a δ-spot within the AR. Using SOHO/MDI magnetograms we follow the evolution of the photospheric magnetic flux to infer the morphology of the structure that originates the AR. We determine the tilt angle variation for the δ-spot and find a counter-clockwise rotation corresponding to a positive writhed flux tube. We compute the magnetic helicity injection and the total accumulated helicity in the AR and find a correlation with the observed rotation.
- Publication:
-
Comparative Magnetic Minima: Characterizing Quiet Times in the Sun and Stars
- Pub Date:
- July 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921312004929
- Bibcode:
- 2012IAUS..286..246P
- Keywords:
-
- Sun: photosphere;
- Sun: magnetic fields