Using Polar Coronal Hole Area Measurements to Determine the Solar Polar Magnetic Field Reversal in Solar Cycle 24

An analysis of solar polar coronal hole (PCH) areas since the launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows how the polar regions have evolved during Solar Cycle 24. We present PCH areas from mid-2010 through 2013 using data from the Atmospheric Imager Assembly (AIA) and Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) instruments onboard SDO. Our analysis shows that both the northern and southern PCH areas have decreased significantly in size since 2010. Linear fits to the areas derived from the magnetic-field properties indicate that, although the northern hemisphere went through polar-field reversal and reached solar-maximum conditions in mid-2012, the southern hemisphere had not reached solar-maximum conditions in the polar regions by the end of 2013. Our results show that solar-maximum conditions in each hemisphere, as measured by the area of the polar coronal holes and polar magnetic field, will be offset in time.     

Towards Calibration of the Mean Magnetic Field of the sun

The 1968–2000 data on the mean magnetic field (MMF, longitudinal component) of the Sun are analysed to study long-time trends of the Sun's magnetic field and to check MMF calibration. It is found that, within the error limits, the mean intensity of photospheric magnetic field (the MMF strength, |H|), did not change over the last 33 years. It clearly shows, however, the presence of an 11-year periodicity caused by the solar activity cycle. Time variations of |H| correlate well with those of the radial component, |B _r|, of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). This correlation (r=0.69) appears to be significantly higher than that between |B _r| and the results of a potential source-surface extrapolation, to the Earth's orbit, of synoptic magnetic charts of the photosphere (using the so-called `saturation' factor <sup>–1</sup> for magnetograph measurements performed in the line Fei 525.0 nm; Wang and Sheeley, 1995). It seems therefore that the true source surface of IMF is the `quiet' photosphere – background fields and coronal holes, like those for MMF. The average `effective' magnetic strength of the photospheric field is determined to be about 1.9 G. It is also shown that there is an approximate linear relation between |B <sub>r</sub>| and MMF intensity |H| (in gauss)|B <sub>r</sub>|(H <sub>0</sub>)<sub>min</sub>×(1+C|H|)where =1.5×10<sup>–5</sup> normalizes the photospheric field strength to 1 AU distance from the Sun, (H <sub>0</sub>)<sub>min</sub>=1.2 G is some minimal `effective' intensity of photospheric background fields and C=1.3 G^–1 an empirical constant. It is noted that good correlation between time variations of |H| and |B _r| makes suspicious a correction of the photospheric magnetic fields with the use of saturation factor ^–1.     

Cyclic Reversal of Magnetic Cloud Poloidal Field

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) carry magnetic structure from the low corona into the heliosphere. The interplanetary CMEs (ICMEs) that exhibit the topology of helical magnetic fluxropes are traditionally called magnetic clouds (MCs). MC fluxropes with axis of low (high) inclination with respect to the ecliptic plane have been referred to as bipolar (unipolar) MCs. The poloidal field of bipolar MCs has a solar cycle dependence. We report a cyclic reversal of the poloidal field of low inclination MC fluxropes during 1976 to 2009. The MC poloidal field cyclic reversal on the same time scale of the solar magnetic cycle is evident over three sunspot cycles. Approximately 48% of ICMEs are MCs, and 40% of IMCs are bipolar MCs during solar cycle 23. The speed of the bipolar MCs has essentially the same distribution as all ICMEs, which implies that they are not from any special type of CMEs in terms of the solar origin. Although CME fluxropes may undergo a number of complications during the eruption and propagation, a significant group of MCs retains sufficient similarity to the source region magnetic field to posses the same cyclic periodicity in polarity reversal. The poloidal field of bipolar MCs gives the out-of-ecliptic-plane field or B _z component in the IMF time series. MCs with southward B _z field are particularly effective in causing geomagnetic disturbances. During the solar minima, the B _z field IMF sequence within MCs at the leading portion of a bipolar MC is the same with the solar global dipole field. Our finding shows that MCs preferentially remove the like polarity of the solar dipole field, and it supports the participation of CMEs in the solar magnetic cycle.     

Increase of the Magnetic Flux From Polar Zones of the sun in the Last 120 Years

Lockwood, Stamper, and Wild (1999) argued that the average strength of the magnetic field of the Sun has doubled in the last 100 years. They used an analysis of the geomagnetic index aa. We calculated the area of polar zones of the Sun, A _pz, occupied by unipolar magnetic field on H synoptic magnetic charts, following Makarov (1994), from 1878 to 2000. We found a gradual decrease of the annual minimum latitude of the high-latitude zone boundaries, _2m, of the global magnetic field of the Sun at the minimum of activity from 53° in 1878 down to 38° in 1996, yielding an average decrease of 1.2° per cycle. Consequently the area of polar zones A _pz of the Sun, occupied by unipolar magnetic field at the minimum activity, has risen by a factor of 2 during 1878–1996. This means that the behavior of the index aa and consequently the magnetic flux from the Sun may be explained by an increase of the area of polar caps with roughly the same value of the magnetic field in this period. The area of the unipolar magnetic field at the poles (A _pz) may be used as a new index of magnetic activity of the Sun. We compared A _pz with the aa, the Wolf number W and A^* -index (Makarov and Tlatov, 2000). Correlations based on `11-year' averages are discussed. A temperature difference of about 1° between the Maunder Minimum and the present time was deduced. We have found that the highest latitude of the polar zone boundaries of the large-scale magnetic field during very low solar activity reaches about 60°, cf., the Maunder Minimum. It is supposed that the _2m-latitude coincides with the latitude where _r=0, with (r,) being the angular frequency of the solar rotation. The causes of the waxing and waning of the Sun's activity in conditions like Maunder Minimum are discussed.     

Reversal of Heliospheric Magnetic Field Polarity: Theoretical Model

A simple analytical model of the reversal of the heliospheric magnetic field is suggested. The shape of the heliospheric current sheet is found for each instant of time using a kinematic approximation. Calculation results are illustratively presented in graphic and animated forms, showing a 3-D dynamic picture of the reversal of the heliospheric magnetic field throughout a 22-year solar cycle.     

Polar Coronal Structures and the Global Magnetic Field Evolution Through the Cycle

We compare the shape and position of some plasma formations visible in the polar corona with the cyclic evolution of the global magnetic field. The first type of object is polar crown prominences. A two-fold decrease of the height of polar crown prominences was found during their poleward migration from the middle latitudes to the poles before a polar magnetic field reversal. The effect could be assigned to a decrease of the magnetic field scale. The second type of object is the polar plumes, ray like structures that follow magnetic field lines. Tangents to polar ray structures are usually crossed near some point, “a magnetic focus,” below the surface. The distance q between the focus and the center of the solar disk changes from the maximum value about 0.65 R _⊙ at solar minimum activity to the minimum value about 0.45 R _⊙ at solar maximum. At first glance this behaviour seems to be contrary to the dynamics of spherical harmonics of the global magnetic field throughout a cycle. We believe that the problem could be resolved if one takes into account not only scale changes in the global magnetic field but also the phase difference in the cyclic variations of large-scale and small-scale components of the global field.     

Observations of the Polar Magnetic Fields During the Polarity Reversals of Cycle 22

The Mount Wilson synoptic magnetic data for the period September 1987 through March 1996 are completely revised and used to provide polar plots of the solar magnetic fields for both hemispheres. This period, from Carrington rotations 1793 to 1906, covers the reversals of the polar magnetic fields in cycle 22. Comparison of our plots with the presently available H filtergrams for this period shows that the polarity boundaries are consistent in these two data sets where they overlap. The Mount Wilson plots show that the polar field reversals involve a complex sequence of events. Although the details differ slightly, the basic patterns are similar in each hemisphere. First the old polarity becomes isolated at the pole, then shortly thereafter, the isolation is broken, and the polar field includes unipolar regions of both polarities. The old polarity then reclaims the polar region, but when the isolation of this field is established for a second time, it declines in both area and strength. We take the reversal to be complete when the old polarity field is no longer observed in the Mount Wilson plots. With this criterion we find that the polar field reversal is completed in the north by CR 1836, i.e., by December 1990, and in the south by CR 1853, i.e., March 1992.     

Large-Scale Transport of Magnetic Flux on the sun

The structure of the large-scale background magnetic field evolves in time and space. The large-scale horizontal transport velocity field of the magnetic flux patterns was inferred over the whole solar photosphere in the course of two solar activity cycles from year 1976 to 1999. The method of velocity determination and the testing procedures of the velocity accuracy are presented. The non-axially symmetric component of the horizontal velocity was found and both zonal and meridional velocity regions were described. The horizontal large-scale transport velocity regions vary in shape and the intensity during different phases of the 11-year solar activity cycle. The total horizontal transport velocity is characterized by the presence of variable amounts of the vector field vortices with symmetric orientation relative to the solar equator. The zonal velocity regions, distributed inside of the zonal belt limited by latitudes ± 35°, are persistent for about 4 Carrington rotations. Recurrent structures of similar velocity distributions are not coherent over the whole solar photosphere.     

Cosmic-Ray Decreases and Interplanetary Disturbances During the Solar Magnetic Polarity Reversal in Solar Cycle 20

Using the cosmic-ray intensity data recorded with ground-based monitors at Mt. Washington and Deep River, and with cosmic-ray telescopes on Pioneer 8 and 9 spacecraft as well as the 2-hour averages of the IMF (magnitude and direction) and the solar wind bulk speed and density at 1 AU, the cosmic-ray decreases and interplanetary disturbances, that occurred during the period of solar magnetic polarity reversal in solar cycle 20, were investigated.We observed a two-step Forbush decrease on 22–23 November 1969, and a Forbush decrease on 26 November 1969, which are respectively consistent with the model of Barnden (1973), and of Parker (1963) and Barnden (1973). Only one Forbush decrease event was observed in December 1969, a period during which there was a solar magnetic polarity reversal; the Forbush decrease was attributed to a long-lived corotating high-speed solar wind stream. This is indicative that at heliolongitudes from 43° E to 70° W of S–E radial, covered by the observations, the solar magnetic polarity reversal in solar cycle 20 was not carried by, nor related to, individual transient structures, and that the reversal most probably evolved gradually.     

About the Influence of a Magnetic Field on the Model Atmosphere of a Magnetic Star

A quasi-static magnetic field similar to that of a large single sunspot is assumed to be embedded in a photospheric model of an Ao star. The differences of the model atmosphere within the magnetic spot relative to the photosphere are calculated by means of the equations of hydromagnetics. The differences are small for τ ≧ I but increase towards smaller τ. The spot model is more transparent in its high layers. In equal geometrical depth the thermodynamic parameters are reduced by the magnetic field. While a small spot is darker than its photospheric surroundings, a large spot appears brighter; the wavelength dependence of its excess in brightness coincides with observations. Compared with the photosphere, the Balmer lines show narrower and deeper cores in the large spot, these differences increase towards larger quantum numbers. Also these features are qualitatively confirmed by observations. An outline is given how to extend and generalize the present model calculations.     

High-Resolution Studies of the Solar Polar Magnetic Fields

We present high-resolution studies of the solar polar magnetic fields near sunspot maximum in 1989 and towards sunspot minimum in 1995. We show that, in 1989, the polar latitudes were covered by several unipolar regions of both polarities. In 1995, however, after the polar field reversal was complete, each pole exhibited only one dominant polarity region.Each unipolar region contains magnetic knots of both polarities but the number count of the knots of the dominant polarity exceeds that of the opposite polarity by a ratio of order 4:1, and it is rare to find opposite polarity pairs, i.e., magnetic bipoles.These knots have lifetimes greater than 7 hours but less than 24 hours. We interpret the longitudinal displacement of the knots over a 7-hour period as a measure of the local rotation rate. This rotation rate is found to be generally consistent with Snodgrass' (1983) magnetic rotation law.In an attempt to obtain some insight into the operation of the solar dynamo, sketches of postulated subsurface field configurations corresponding to the observed surface fields at these two epochs of the solar cycle are presented.     

Evolution of Active and Polar Photospheric Magnetic Fields During the Rise of Cycle 24 Compared to Previous Cycles

The evolution of the photospheric magnetic field during the declining phase and minimum of cycle 23 and the recent rise of cycle 24 are compared with the behavior during previous cycles. We used longitudinal full-disk magnetograms from the NSO??s three magnetographs at Kitt Peak, the Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun (SOLIS) vector spectro-magnetograph (VSM), the spectro-magnetograph and the 512-channel magnetograph instruments, and longitudinal full-disk magnetograms from the Mt. Wilson 150-foot tower. We analyzed 37 years of observations from these two observatories that have been observing daily, weather permitting, since 1974, offering an opportunity to study the evolving relationship between the active region and polar fields in some detail over several solar cycles. It is found that the annual averages of a proxy for the active region poloidal magnetic field strength, the magnetic field strength of the high-latitude poleward streams, and the time derivative of the polar field strength are all well correlated in each hemisphere. The active region net poloidal fields effectively disappeared in both hemispheres around 2004 and the polar fields have not become significantly stronger since this time. These results are based on statistically significant cyclical patterns in the active region fields and are consistent with the Babcock?CLeighton phenomenological model for the solar activity cycle. There was more hemispheric asymmetry in the total and maximum active region flux during late cycle 23 (after around 2004), when the southern hemisphere was more active, and the rise of cycle?24, when the northern hemisphere was more active, than at any other time since 1974. We see evidence that the process of cycle 24 field reversal has begun at both poles.     

太阳剩余磁场研究进展

太阳剩余磁场是指形成于太阳主序星阶段之前，深藏在太阳辐射核内部的原始磁场。由于太阳内部高电导率和准静态等因素，其剩余磁场耗散相当缓慢，而得以保留至今。太阳剩余磁场的存在不仅能够解释太阳活动的很多不对称性现象，如南北不对称性、活动经度与活动穴、低纬度冕洞和Maunder极小期等，还能通过改变自激发发电机模型的边值条件而影响整个太阳表面磁场的分布与演化。从观测结果和理论模型两方面评述了太阳剩余磁场的研究成果及最新进展，并简单讨论了进一步努力的方向。     

Variability of Horizontal Magnetic Field Intensity Over Nigeria During Low Solar Activity

Magnetic field intensity of the horizontal component (H) data measured from Magnetic Data Acquisition System (MAGDAS) at Ilorin (geographic latitude: 8.47°N, geographic longitude: 4.68°E, geomagnetic latitude: 1.82°S, geomagnetic longitude: 78.6°S), Nigeria in the year 2009 (a low activity year) was used to study the diurnal, monthly-median and standard deviation of the solar quiet of the horizontal component (S _q H). The diurnal variation of S _q H and its corresponding monthly median variation (MS _q H) shows minima values at pre-sunrise hours between 0500 and 0600 LT. The S _q H value shows a daytime maximum variation range between 20 and 91 nT and a nighttime minimum variation range from 1 to 4 nT. The occurrences of daytime maxima of the S _q H values that were observed in all the months are between the hours of 1000 and 1200 LT. The daytime maximum of the MS _q H values from the entire months were seen at 1100 LT with exceptions of January and December. The month of October has the highest value (61 nT) and the lowest value was observed in December (35 nT). It is clearer that the range in maximums of S _q H and MS _q H variations during the daytime period in all the months is greater than the range in minimums observed at nighttime period (post-sunset and pre-sunrise). The monthly standard deviation (STD) depicts the index of variability of all the day-to-day variations in each month. Counter electrojet (CEJ) events were observed in the morning and as well during the evening hours. The magnitudes and frequencies of CEJ events during the evening hours are greater than that of the morning hours. CEJ seen during the morning period around 0500–0600 LT is the consequence of late reversals of nighttime westward currents to daytime eastward currents. A semi-annual variation with peak values during March, April, September and October was observed. Seasonal variation that was characterized with CEJ was also investigated.     

Structure and Cyclic Variations of Open Magnetic Fields in the sun

The structure and variations of open field regions (OFRs) are analyzed against the solar cycle for the time interval of 1970–1996. The cycle of the large-scale magnetic field (LSMF) begins in the vicinity of maximum Wolf numbers, i.e. during the polar field reversal. At the beginning of the LSMF cycle, the polar and mid-latitude magnetic field systems are connected by a narrow bridge, but later they evolve independently. The polar field at the latitudes above 60° has a completely open configuration and fills the whole area of the polar caps near the cycle minimum of local fields. At this time, essentially all of the open solar flux is from the polar caps. The mid-latitude open field regions (OFRs) occur at a latitude of 30–40° away from solar minimum and drift slowly towards the equator to form a typical 'butterfly diagram' at the periphery of the local field zone. This supports the concept of a single complex – 'large-scale magnetic field – active region – coronal hole'. The rotation characteristics of OFRs have been analyzed to reveal a near solid-body rotation, much more rigid than in the case of sunspots. The rotation characteristics are shown to depend on the phase of the solar cycle.     

Generation of Magnetic Field and Fast Particles During Collision of Electron-Positron Plasma Clouds

We present results of analytical studies and 2D3V PIC simulations of electron-positron plasma cloud collisions. We concentrate on the problem of quasi-static magnetic field generation. It is shown from linear theory, using relativistic two-fluid equations for electron-positron plasmas, that the generation of a quasi-static magnetic field can be associated with the counter-streaming instability. A two-dimensional relativistic particle simulation provides good agreement with the above linear theory and that, in the nonlinear stage of the instability, about 5.3% of the initial plasma flow energy can be converted to magnetic field energy. It is also shown from the simulation that the quasi-static magnetic field undergoes a collision-less change of structure, leading to large scale, long living structures and the production of high-energy particles. These processes may be important for understanding of production of high-energy particles in the region where two pulsar winds collide. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.