Differences between the current solar minimum and earlier minima

TL;DR

This study compares helioseismic data from three solar cycles to identify internal solar differences during the current minimum, revealing localized interior changes not seen in earlier minima.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed comparison of solar interior properties during different minima using helioseismic data from multiple sources.

Findings

Detected localized changes in the solar interior during cycle 24

Identified significant differences between cycle 23 and cycle 24 data

Revealed that the current minimum differs internally from previous minima

Abstract

The Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network (BiSON) has collected helioseismic data over three solar cycles. We use these data to determine how the internal properties of the Sun during this minimum differ from the previous two minima. The cycle 24 data show oscillatory differences with respect to the other two sets, indicating relatively localized changes in the solar interior. Analysis of MDI data from Cycle 23 and Cycle 24 also show significant signs of differences.