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Evidence for the return meridional flow in the convection zone from latitude motions of sunspots

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2011

K.R. Sivaraman ,
H. Sivaraman ,
S.S. Gupta  and
R.F. Howard
K.R. Sivaraman
Affiliation:
5020, Haven Place, #206, Dublin, CA-94568, USA and formerly of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, India. email: kr_sivaraman@yahoo.com
H. Sivaraman
Affiliation:
2581, Rivers Bend Circle, Livermore, CA-94550, USA.
S.S. Gupta
Affiliation:
Formerly of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Kodaikanal, India.
R.F. Howard
Affiliation:
National Solar Observatory, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
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Abstract

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We have derived the latitude motions of sunspots classified into three area categories using the measures of positions and areas of their umbrae from the white – light images of the Sun for the period 1906 – 1987 from the Kodaikanal Observatory archives. The latitude motions are directed equator – ward in all the three area classes. We interpret that these equator – ward latitude motions reflect the meridional flows at the three depths in the convection zone where the magnetic flux loops of the spots of the three area classes are anchored. We obtain estimates of the anchor depths through a comparison of the rotation rates of the spots in each area class with the rotation rate profiles from helioseismic inversions. The equator – ward flows measured by us thus provide evidence of the return meridional flows in the convection zone as required in the flux transport solar dynamo models. We have done an identical analysis using a similar data set derived from the photoheliogram collections of the Mt.Wilson Observatory for the period 1917 – 1985. There is good agreement between the results from the data sets of the two observatories.

Keywords

Latitude motionsmeridional flowconvection zoneflux transport
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 6 , Symposium S273: The Physics of Sun and Star Spots , August 2010 , pp. 434 - 437
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

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