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Fractal dimensions of solar activity

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Abstract

Solar activity changes in amplitude and long-term behavior irregularly. Fractal theory is used to examine the variation of solar activity, using daily solar indices (i.e., sunspot number, 10.7 cm radio flux, the SME Lα, Fexiv coronal emission, and the total solar irradiance measured by the ERB (Earth Radiation Budget) on the NIMBUS-7. It can handle irregular variations quantitatively. The fractal dimension of 10.7 cm radio fluxes in cycle 21 for periods of ∼ 7 days or less was 1.28, 1.3 for periods longer than ∼ 272 days, and 1.86 for periods between them, for example. Fractal dimensions for other solar indices show similar tendencies. These results suggest that solar activity varies more irregularly for time scales that are longer than several days and shorter than several months. Yearly values of fractal dimensions and bending points do not change in concert with the solar cycle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Communications Research Laboratory, 4-2-1 Nukuikita, Koganei, 184, Tokyo, Japan

    Shinichi Watari

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  1. Shinichi Watari
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Watari, S. Fractal dimensions of solar activity. Sol Phys 158, 365–377 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00795669

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00795669

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