Explaining the variation of the meridional circulation with the solar cycle

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical model linking the Sun's meridional circulation variation to the solar cycle, showing that magnetic forces can slow circulation during maxima, aligning with observations.

Contribution

The study introduces a coupled model of meridional circulation and flux transport dynamo, explaining cycle-dependent variations through magnetic Lorentz forces.

Findings

Magnetic Lorentz forces can slow meridional circulation during solar maxima.

The model reproduces observed cycle-dependent variations of the meridional flow.

Theoretical framework aligns with observational data.

Abstract

The meridional circulation of the Sun is observationally found to vary with the solar cycle, becoming slower during the solar maxima. We explain this by constructing a theoretical model in which the equation of the meridional circulation (the $\phi$ component of the vorticity equation) is coupled with the equations of the flux transport dynamo model. We find that the Lorentz force of the dynamo-generated magnetic fields can slow down the \MC\ during the solar maxima in broad conformity with the observations.