Solar magnetic fields and convection. VIII - Meridional motions

Details Solar magnetic fields and convection. VIII - Meridional motions Solar magnetic fields and convection. VIII - Meridional motions

Mar 1977

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1977ap%26ss..47..237p&link_type=abstract

Astrophysics and Space Science, vol. 47, Mar. 1977, p. 237-252.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

5

Convective Flow, Drift Rate, Meridional Flow, Solar Magnetic Field, Solar Rotation, Sunspots, Latitude, Magnetic Disturbances, Magnetic Field Configurations, Magnetohydrodynamic Flow, Oscillating Flow, Plasma Layers, Rossby Regimes, Solar Atmosphere, Sunspot Cycle

Scientific paper

Solar meridional drift motions are vitally important in connection with the origin of magnetic fields, the source of differential rotation, and perhaps convection. A large body of observational evidence is evaluated with the following conclusions. Sunspot motions reveal latitudinal drifts of a few meters per second which vary with latitude and have a strong 11-yr periodicity; there may also be a 22-yr component poleward during even cycles and equatorward during odd. Various other tracers, all basically magnetic structures, show the 11-yr drifts at middle and high latitudes up to the polar caps, the motion being poleward during the three years starting just before minimum activity. Earlier evidence for giant cells or Rossby-type waves is shown to be merely misinterpretation of the hydromagnetic motions of tracers. Evidence against such giant eddies is found in the great stability of other tracer structures. A four-cell axisymmetric meridional drift system is determined with an 11-yr period of oscillation and an amplitude of a few meters per second. These meridional oscillations must be a basic component of the activity cycle, add to the difficulties of the dynamo theory, but may explain the emergence of 'stitches' of flux ropes to form relatively small bipolar magnetic regions.

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