Sunspot motion in a recurrent region as a sub-photospheric circulation tracer

Abstract

A second order polynomial regression of the sunspot motion in a recurrent group shows a smooth displacement of the sub-photospheric field source. This displacement is seen in the regular motion of the longer-lived spots of the group. The observations of a recurrent group show a sunspot meridian movement toward the pole, contrary to previous results. The qualitative agreement between observational results and the proposed sub-photospheric solar structure suggest that photospheric circulation may be described by sunspot motion.

Keywords

• Solar structure
• magnetic field sources
• proper motion