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Evolution of Sunspot Characteristics in Cycle 23

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Abstract

The aim of this work is to present a statistical study of several parameters (variables) that define sunspot groups. These variables include maximum area, growth and decay times, as well as the evolution families, and solar-cycle phase the groups belong to. We classified group types based on the Zurich classification, which allows us to define a set of families based on their evolution patterns. The time variation of the area of a group was also studied, and a relationship between the maximum area and the growth and decay times was sought. Another study was carried out to find the correlation among different characteristics of the groups, as well as how the probability of a certain value of decay time can vary depending on morphological characteristics defined by these variables. Thus, a program based on a weight matrix combining the variables necessary to classify a group, together with the calculation of the probability for a specific event, has been produced. This approach allows us to predict the future behavior of a group from its historical evolution.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Nuria Castellano, Ana Lola López, Gerard Ariño, Oriol Picó, Mireia Ibáñez, Laura Ruiz, Francisco De Borja González, and Albert Costa for their work on database management and its characterization and Jordi Maneu Victoria for his support with the translation. We also wish to thank the solar observers José Cid, Miguel Calonge, and Isidre Moncal for their constant work taking daily photographs and measuring sunspots and sunspot groups and thus providing us with this valuable collection of information. This research has been partially supported by a Universitat Ramon Llull Suport a Grups de Recerca grant.

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  1. Observatori de l’Ebre (OE), CSIC-URL, Roquetes, Spain

    A. Gómez, J. J. Curto & C. Gras

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  1. A. Gómez
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  2. J. J. Curto
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  3. C. Gras
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Correspondence to J. J. Curto.

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Gómez, A., Curto, J.J. & Gras, C. Evolution of Sunspot Characteristics in Cycle 23. Sol Phys 289, 91–106 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-013-0323-7

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