Abstract
The latitudinal component of solar differential rotation and the possibility of a radial component are discussed and compared to the observed rotational velocities of solar filaments. Our values of rotational rate versus heliographic latitude for 100 points in the solar atmosphere derived from 17 quiescent filaments are comparable to the rates found by d'Azambuja and d'Azambuja (1948). The filament rate is significantly greater than the spot rate (Newton and Nunn, 1951); the difference cannot be accounted for by the poleward migration of filaments and seems to reflect a true radial gradient of rotational velocity in the Sun.
We show that filaments in closer proximity to active regions usually exhibit no differential rotation, while those far from active regions generally show it clearly. Comparison with Mt. Wilson photospheric Doppler measurements shows that filaments rotate faster than the general photosphere and that, as is well known, the spot rate exceeds that for the general photosphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ananthakrishnan, R.: 1954, Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 40, 72.
Babcock, H. W.: 1961, Astrophys. J. 133, 572.
Bruzek, A.: 1961, Z. Astrophys. 51, 75.
d'Azambuja, L.: 1923, Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. 176, 950.
d'Azambuja, L. and d'Azambuja, M.: 1948, Ann. Obs. Paris, Meudon 6, part 7.
de Jager, C.: 1959, in S. Flugge (ed.), Handbuch der Physik 52, 329 and 339.
Deslandres, H. and d'Azambuja, L.: 1911, Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. 153, 442.
Durney, B. R. and Roxburgh, I. W.: 1971, Solar Phys. 16, 3.
Evershed, J.: 1911, Astrophys. J. 33, 1.
Foukal, P.: 1972, Astrophys. J. 173, 439.
Fox, P.: 1908, Astrophys. J. 28, 117.
Fox, P.: 1921, Publ. Yerkes Obs. 3, 67.
Howard, R.: 1971, Solar Phys. 16, 21.
Howard, R. and Harvey, J.: 1970, Solar Phys. 12, 23.
Krishnaswami, G. V.: 1931, Kodaikanal Bull. 93, 271.
Leighton, R.: 1969, Astrophys. J. 156, 1.
Livingston, W. C.: 1969a, Solar Phys. 7, 144.
Livingston W. C.: 1969b, Solar Phys. 9, 448.
Newton, H. W. and Nunn, M. L.: 1951, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 111, 413.
Piddington, J. H.: 1971, Solar Phys. 21, 4.
Royds, T.: 1911, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 71, 723.
Royds, T.: 1930, Kodaikanal Bull. 89, 227.
Sheeley, N. R., Jr.: 1967, Solar Phys. 1, 171.
Weber, E. J.: 1969, Solar Phys. 9, 150.
Wilcox, J. M.: 1971, in Schindler (ed.), Cosmic Plasma Physics, p. 157.
Wilcox, J. M. and Howard, R.: 1970, Solar Phys. 13, 251.
Yoshimura, H.: 1971, Solar Phys. 18, 417.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Glackin, D.L. Differential rotation of solar filaments. Sol Phys 36, 51–60 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00151542
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00151542