Current Helicity and Twist as Two Indicators of The Mirror Asymmetry of solar Magnetic Fields

TL;DR

This study compares current helicity and twist as indicators of mirror asymmetry in solar magnetic fields, revealing their behavior over the solar cycle and discussing implications for solar dynamo theory.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of twist and current helicity as mirror asymmetry tracers, highlighting their similarities over the solar cycle and their potential role in understanding the solar dynamo.

Findings

Anti-symmetry of tracers over the solar equator

Possible sign change of helicity and twist at cycle start

No visible similarity in individual active regions

Abstract

A comparison between the two tracers of magnetic field mirror asymmetry in solar active regions, twist and current helicity, is presented. It is shown that for individual active regions these tracers do not possess visible similarity while averaging by time over the solar cycle, or by latitude, reveals similarities in their behaviour. The main property of the dataset is anti-symmetry over the solar equator. Considering the evolution of helical properties over the solar cycle we find signatures of a possible sign change at the beginning of the cycle, though more systematic observational data are required for a definite confirmation. We discuss the role of both tracers in the context of the solar dynamo theory.