Height stratification of solar magnetic fields in cycle 23

• Published in: Bulletin of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory Vol. 107; no. 1; pp. 51 - 59
• Main Authors: Fainshtein, V. G., Stepanian, N. N., Akhtemov, Z. S., Rudenko, G. V., Silakova, E. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Allerton Press, Inc 01.06.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astronomy; Astrophysics and Cosmology; Magnetic fields; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Solar physics; Sun; magnetic field; large-scale structures
• ISSN: 0190-2717; 1934-7863
• DOI: 10.3103/S0190271711010049

The radial component Br of magnetic field was calculated in the potential approximation and the synoptic maps of Br for several heights in the Solar atmosphere were constructed based on observations of the photospheric magnetic field made on the old magnetograph at the US Kitt Peak National Observatory and on the new SOLIS magnetograph at the US National Solar Observatory for cycle 23 (the years 1997–2009). Parameters of large-scale structures of magnetic field with positive and negative polarities were determined at seven heights in the Sun’s atmosphere—from the photosphere ( H = Ro) to H = 2.5 Ro (Ro is the Solar radius). The processes of polar reversal for polar fields and changing of the sector structure of the field at middle latitudes were observed. Characteristic lifespans and rotations were ascertained. The general picture of variations of the large-scale solar magnetic field during cycle 23 was put forward. Two types of boundaries of large magnetic structures at various heights were identified.