North South Asymmetry of Different Solar Activity Features During Solar Cycle 23

TL;DR

This study analyzes the North-South asymmetry of various solar activity features during Solar Cycle 23, revealing a consistent Southern dominance and significant asymmetry, with the cycle being weaker than the previous one.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the NS asymmetry across multiple solar activity features during Solar Cycle 23, highlighting the Southern dominance and statistical significance of the asymmetry.

Findings

Solar cycle 23 is weaker than cycle 22.

Southern Hemisphere shows dominance in solar activity features.

Asymmetry is statistically significant in most cases.

Abstract

A study on North South (NS) asymmetry of different solar activity features (DSAF) such as solar proton events, solar active prominences, H alpha flare index, soft X ray flares, monthly mean sunspot area and monthly mean sunspot number were carried out from 1996 to 2008. It is found in our result that solar cycle 23 is magnetically weak compared to solar cycle 22. Study shows the Southern dominance of DSAF during the time period of study. During the rising phase of the cycle the numbers of DSAF approximately equal on the North and South Hemisphere. However, these activities tend to shift from Northern Hemisphere to Southern Hemisphere in between year 1998 to 1999. The statistical significance of the asymmetry time series using a chi square test of goodness of fit indicates that in most of the cases the asymmetry is highly significant, i.e., the asymmetry is a real feature in the NS distribution of DSAF.