scholarly journals Evolution of the large-scale magnetic field over three solar cycles

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S264) ◽  
pp. 222-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Todd Hoeksema
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
Synoptic Observations ◽  
Open Flux ◽  
Source Of Information

AbstractObservations of the large-scale magnetic field show that the current extended solar cycle minimum is different from the three previous well-observed minima. The weaker polar fields increase the relative influence of middle and low-latitude flux patterns on the configuration of the corona and heliosphere. A much larger portion of the open flux originates in equatorial coronal holes. Even though the mean magnetic field of the Sun as a star is the weakest since measurements began, the sector structure of the interplanetary field, though smaller in magnitude, reached fairly high latitude until 2009. The emergence of active regions through the cycle and transport of flux from low to high latitudes also show quite different patterns, providing insight into the dynamo that drives the cycle. Long records of synoptic observations provide a rich source of information about solar activity that must be maintained.

scholarly journals Beyond sunspots: Studies using the McIntosh Archive of global solar magnetic field patterns

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S328) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Gibson ◽  
David Webb ◽  
Ian M. Hewins ◽  
Robert H. McFadden ◽  
Barbara A. Emery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Magnetic Field ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Magnetic Polarity ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Polarity Inversion ◽  
Magnetic Structures ◽  
Field Patterns ◽  
Global Evolution

AbstractIn 1964 (Solar Cycle 20; SC 20), Patrick McIntosh began creating hand-drawn synoptic maps of solar magnetic features, based on Hα images. These synoptic maps were unique in that they traced magnetic polarity inversion lines, and connected widely separated filaments, fibril patterns, and plage corridors to reveal the large-scale organization of the solar magnetic field. Coronal hole boundaries were later added to the maps, which were produced, more or less continuously, into 2009 (i.e., the start of SC 24). The result was a record of ~45 years (~570 Carrington rotations), or nearly four complete solar cycles of synoptic maps. We are currently scanning, digitizing and archiving these maps, with the final, searchable versions publicly available at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. In this paper we present preliminary scientific studies using the archived maps from SC 23. We show the global evolution of closed magnetic structures (e.g., sunspots, plage, and filaments) in relation to open magnetic structures (e.g., coronal holes), and examine how both relate to the shifting patterns of large-scale positive and negative polarity regions.

scholarly journals Variations of the Coronal Radiation in X-ray Related to Coronal Holes, Active Region Loop Systems, Bright Points

1994 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 159-171
Author(s):  
Ester Antonucci
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Coronal Structures

The coronal features observed in X-ray emission, varying from the small-scale, short-lived bright points to the large-scale, long-lived coronal holes, are closely associated with the coronal magnetic field and its topology, and their variability depends strongly on the solar cycle. Here we discuss the spatial distribution of the coronal structures, the frequency distribution of the brightness variations in active regions, and the role of magnetic reconnection in determining the variability of the coronal features, on the basis of the new observations of the soft X-ray emission recently obtained with the Yohkoh satellite and the NIXT experiment.

scholarly journals Two classes of eruptive events during Solar Minimum

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prantika Bhowmik ◽  
Anthony Yeates
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Free Energy ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Solar Minimum ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Surface ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
The Magnetic Field

<p>During Solar Minimum, the Sun is perceived to be quite inactive with barely any spots emerging on the solar surface. Consequently, we observe a drop in the number of highly energetic events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are often associated with active regions on the photosphere. However, our magnetofrictional simulations during the minimum period suggest that the solar corona could still be significantly dynamic while evolving in response to the large-scale shearing velocities on the solar surface. The non-potential evolution of the corona leads to the accumulation of magnetic free energy and helicity, which is periodically lost through eruptive events. Our study shows that these events can be categorised into two distinct classes. One set of events are caused due to full-scale eruption of low-lying coronal flux ropes and could be associated with occasional filament erupting CMEs observed during Solar Minimum. The other set of events are not driven by destabilisation of low-lying structures but rather by eruption from overlying sheared arcades. These could be linked with streamer blowouts or stealth CMEs. The two classes differ considerably in the amount of magnetic flux and helicity shed through the outer coronal boundary. We additionally investigate how other measurables such as current, open magnetic flux, free energy, coronal holes area, and the horizontal component of the magnetic field on the outer model boundary vary during the two classes of event. This study demonstrates and emphasises the importance and necessity of understanding the dynamics of the coronal magnetic field during Solar Minimum.</p>

scholarly journals Numerical Simulations of Large-scale Solar Magnetic Fields

1985 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR DeVore ◽  
NR Sheeley Jr ◽  
JP Boris ◽  
TR Young Jr ◽  
KL Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sunspot Cycle ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Field Patterns ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We have solved numerically a transport equation which describes the evolution of the large-scale magnetic field of the Sun. Data derived from solar magnetic observations are used to initialize the computations and to account for the emergence of new magnetic flux during the sunspot cycle. Our objective is to assess the ability of the model to reproduce the observed evolution of the field patterns. We discuss recent results from simulations of individual active regions over a few solar rotations and of the magnetic field of the Sun over sunspot cycle 21.

scholarly journals The Large-scale Magnetic Field in the Global Solar Cycle: Observational Aspects

1991 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 213-217
Author(s):  
V.I. Makarov ◽  
K.R. Sivaraman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Weak Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meridional Flow ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
Global Cycle

Abstract The global solar cycle is considered as an interaction of 3 types of activity: at low-latitude (sunspots), at high-latitude (polar faculae) and the weak magnetic field. The properties of single and 3-fold reversals of the polar magnetic field are considered. The variation spectrum of the large-scale magnetic field of the Sun is analyzed in the range of 1–30 nHz. A dependence between the rate of a poleward meridional flow and phase of the global cycle is discussed.

scholarly journals Active Region Contributions to the Solar Wind over Multiple Solar Cycles

Solar Physics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 296 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Stansby ◽  
Lucie M. Green ◽  
Lidia van Driel-Gesztelyi ◽  
Timothy S. Horbury
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Fractional Contribution ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Mass Ejection ◽  
Coronal Structures

AbstractBoth coronal holes and active regions are source regions of the solar wind. The distribution of these coronal structures across both space and time is well known, but it is unclear how much each source contributes to the solar wind. In this study we use photospheric magnetic field maps observed over the past four solar cycles to estimate what fraction of magnetic open solar flux is rooted in active regions, a proxy for the fraction of all solar wind originating in active regions. We find that the fractional contribution of active regions to the solar wind varies between 30% to 80% at any one time during solar maximum and is negligible at solar minimum, showing a strong correlation with sunspot number. While active regions are typically confined to latitudes ±30∘ in the corona, the solar wind they produce can reach latitudes up to ±60∘. Their fractional contribution to the solar wind also correlates with coronal mass ejection rate, and is highly variable, changing by ±20% on monthly timescales within individual solar maxima. We speculate that these variations could be driven by coronal mass ejections causing reconfigurations of the coronal magnetic field on sub-monthly timescales.

Coronal Holes and the Locations of the LDE-Type Flares

1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 263-266
Author(s):  
A. Antalová
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Polarity Reversal ◽  
Flare Activity ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Magnetic Reversal ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field

AbstractA qualitative analysis is presented of a possible link between two physical processes on the Sun, namely the gradual magnetic reversal of the large-scale magnetic field of the Sun, and the increase of a flare activity in the solar sectors where the polarity reversal of the faint large-scale magnetic field is observed. The data in Table 1 (years 1976-1979) show that the LDE flare producting nests of the 21st cycle were located within and along the borders of reversed sectors. The flaring centers precede the formation of coronal holes.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Large-Scale Magnetic Field Evolution During Solar Cycle 20

1980 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 25-28
Author(s):  
Patrick S. McIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Rotation ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Solar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Magnetic Pattern ◽  
Large Scale Magnetic Field ◽  
Convergence And Divergence

The evolution of large-scale solar magnetic fields has been studied for a complete solar cycle using the atlas of H-alpha synoptic charts for 1964-1974. The results include: a unique magnetic pattern coinciding with major coronal holes; variations in the rate of solar rotation through the solar cycle; discovery of convergence and divergence among long-lived magnetic patterns; periodic discontinuities in the organization of large-scale magnetic fields; and a new cause for coronal transients.

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