Studies of Solar Magnetic Fields during the Rise of Solar Cycle 22
Abstract
New information about the solar cycle and the changing magnetic fields includes: (1) Every solar cycle has a duration of 18-22 years even though the peak between successive cycles is approximately 11 years. This means that there are two solar cycles on the sun nearly all of the time; the exception is the few years preceeding solar maximum. (2) a large-scale velocity field was discovered around the perimeter of one of the major active regions that developed during the rise of the current solar cycle. If averaged over a several month interval, the velocity would be of the same order of magnitude as the velocity pattern of the torsional oscillation signal that varies systematically over the solar cycle. The newly discovered velocity pattern can be interpreted as either a severe contamination to the torsional oscillation signal or another way of observing the torsional oscillation velocity field. (3) Our analyses of small-scale magnetic fields on the quiet sun has shown that network magnetic fields are continuously being replaced by intranetwork magnetic fields. The replacement occurs when intranetwork magnetic fields collide with network magnetic fields; both polarities are observed to cancel each other at a mean rates of 10 to the 18th power Maxwells/hour. The non-cancelling components of the intranetwork magnetic field replace the cancelled components of the network. No net long-term increases or decreases in magnetic flux occur as a consequence of these processes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 15, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA232970
Entities
People
- Sara F. Martin
Organizations
- California Institute of Technology