1203.5514 (E. S. Vernova et al.)

Photospheric magnetic field: relationship between N-S asymmetry and flux imbalance    [PDF]

E. S. Vernova, M. I. Tyasto, D. G. Baranov

Photospheric magnetic fields are studied using Kitt Peak synoptic maps for 1976 - 2003. Only strong magnetic fields (B>100 G) of the equatorial region were taken into account. N-S asymmetry of the magnetic fluxes is considered as well as the imbalance between the positive and the negative fluxes. N-S asymmetry displays a regular alternation of the dominating hemisphere during solar cycle: the northern hemisphere dominates on the ascending phase, the southern one on the descending phase. Sign of the imbalance does not change during 11 years from one inversion to the other and always coincides with the sign of the Sun's global magnetic field in the N-hemisphere. The domination of leading sunspots in one of the hemispheres determines the sign of the magnetic flux imbalance. Both the sign of the N-S asymmetry of the magnetic fluxes and the sign of the imbalance of the positive and the negative fluxes are related to the quarter of the 22-year magnetic cycle where the magnetic configuration of the Sun remains constant . The obtained results demonstrate the connection of the magnetic fields in active regions with the Sun's global magnetic field in the N-hemisphere.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1203.5514