North/south asymmetry in solar activity and its effects on the high-energy cosmic-ray diurnal variation

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5429068

Shea, M A; Smart, D F; Swinson, D B; Humble, J E

Using a data base extending from 1955 through 1980 we find that the northern hemisphere of the sun was decidedly more active than the southern hemisphere for the period 1959 through 1970. From 1971 through 1980 there was no systematic asymmetry. Extending the time period through 1984, but using a different data base, we find an apparent change around October 1982, after which there are decidedly more flares occurring in the southern hemisphere of the sun than in the northern hemisphere. Examination of the diurnal variation amplitude present in the extremely high energy (approximately 100 GeV) cosmic radiation measurements indicates a consistent north/south asymmetry until about 1971 which we suggest is the result of the asymmetric solar activity.

• Research Organization: New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
• OSTI ID: 5429068
• Report Number(s): AD-A-167374/8/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIATION
DAILY VARIATIONS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
ASYMMETRY
SOLAR FLARES
SUN
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
RADIATIONS
STARS
VARIATIONS
640104* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Solar Phenomena
640101 - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmic Radiation