The longitudinal proper motion of sunspots and the solar rotation rate |
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| Authors: | Fred Ward |
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| Institution: | (1) Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA |
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| Abstract: | Summary The longitudinal proper motion of sunspot groups has been shown to be a function of their size and relative extension in longitude. Two theories are proposed to explain these effects, which theories assume that the wind circulation of the spots and the wind field surrounding the spots are intimately connected, and dynamically interact. The retardation in the motion of large spot groups is hypothesized to be due to the effect of the latitudinal variation of the Coriolis parameter (on a rotating spherical body) and an assumed vortical circulation around the spots. The more rapid longitudinal motion of extended spot groups is suggested to be the result of the preferential occurrence and development of such groups in regions of above-average horizontal wind and wind shear. If these theories are essentially correct, the real solar rotation rate—i.e., the longitude- and time-averaged fluid motion field—should be derived from the motions of small spot groups, and is 1% to 11/2% higher than the usually accepted rate whichNewton andNunn derived. |
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