2024/08/19 by Scott W. McIntosh, McIntosh, Scott W., Robert J. Leamon +1
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR) #Space Physics (physics.space-ph)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2408.10354
openalex publication_date 2024/08/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The Sun exhibits episodic surges of magnetic activity across a range of temporal and spatial scales, the most prominent of which is the 11-ish year modulation of sunspot production. Beside the ~170 (min to max) decadal variation in sunspot production there is a less-explored quasi-annual variation in the range of 25-50 sunspots/year in magnitude. In addition, there is there is a slower, ~80 year period, 10-50 variation in the sunspot number, that is commonly referred to as the 'Gleissberg Cycle.' Using a suite of contemporary and historical observations we will illustrate these elements of our star's episodic behavior and present a hypothesis that may provide a consistent physical link between the observed 'climatic', 'decadal' and 'seasonal' magnetic variation of our star.