Study of Distribution and Asymmetry of Solar Active Prominences During Solar Cycle 23

TL;DR

This study analyzes the spatial distribution and asymmetry of solar active prominences during Solar Cycle 23, revealing hemispheric dominance and distribution patterns, with a focus on statistical significance of asymmetries.

Contribution

It provides a detailed statistical analysis of SAP distribution and asymmetry during Solar Cycle 23, highlighting hemispheric dominance and specific latitudinal and longitudinal preferences.

Findings

SAP most prolific in 21-30° latitudinal slices

Northern and southern hemispheres show similar activity during rising phase

Southern hemisphere activity dominates since 1999

Abstract

In this paper we present the results of a study of the spatial distribution and asymmetry of solar active prominences (SAP) for the period 1996-2007 (solar cycle 23). For more meaningful statistical analysis we have analysed the distribution and asymmetry of SAP in two subdivisions viz. Group1 (ADF, APR, DSF, CRN, CAP) and Group2 (AFS, ASR, BSD, BSL, DSD, SPY, LPS). The north-south (N-S) latitudinal distribution shows that the SAP events are most prolific in the 21-30degree slice in the northern and southern hemispheres and east-west (E-W) longitudinal distribution study shows that the SAP events are most prolific (best visible) in the 81-90degree slice in the eastern and western hemispheres. It has been found that the SAP activity during this cycle is low compared to previous solar cycles. The present study indicates that during the rising phase of the cycle the number of SAP events were roughly equal on the north and south hemispheres. However, activity on the southern hemisphere has been dominant since 1999. Our statistical study shows that the N-S asymmetry is more significant then the E-W asymmetry.