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Can Mean Helicity Fluctuations Explain the Variability of the Solar Cycle ?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2016

P. Hoyng*
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Space Research Sorbonnelaan 2, 3584 AW Utrecht The Netherlands E-mail: phoyng@sron.ruu.nl

Abstract

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I consider the effect of rapid fluctuations in the mean helicity on a plane dynamo wave in the αω-approximation and in the weak forcing limit. The phase shift and the logarithmic amplitude of the wave exhibit a correlated random walk, so that weaker (stronger) cycles last longer (shorter). The solar cycle data follow this prediction rather well. Mean helicity fluctuations are concluded to be an important source of solar cycle variability.

Type
2. Long-Term Variability of the Solar Magnetic Cycle
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1993 

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