Spatial and temporal variations in the solar brightness

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Abstract

We have investigated long-term variations of solar brightness as a function of both time and solar latitude using eight years of ground-based photometric data in conjunction with space-based irradiance data. In particular, we have examined whether the combination of sunspot brightness deficits and facular brightness excesses is sufficient to explain the solar cycle irradiance variations. After correcting for the contribution from sunspots, we find that the irradiance data can be adequately explained by a model in which the remaining brightness variations are due entirely to facular contributions confined to the magnetically active latitudes. Thus we find no support for the hypothesis that there are convectively driven hot bands in the active latitudes, and our data show brightness variations that are well described by a facular contrast function.

Identifier

0037249344 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Solar Physics

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022952206013

ISSN

00380938

First Page

51

Last Page

64

Issue

1

Volume

212

Fund Ref

National Science Foundation

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