Sunspot Decay as Turbulent Erosion of a Magnetic Flux Tube

Petrovay, K.; van Driel-Gesztelyi, L.
Bibliographical reference

1st Advances in Solar Physics Euroconference. Advances in Physics of Sunspots, ASP Conf. Ser. Vol. 118., Eds.: B. Schmieder, J.C. del Toro Iniesta, & M. Vazquez, p. 145.

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1997
Number of authors
2
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
7
Refereed citations
6
Description
Decisive evidence is presented against the validity of the conventional linear decay law for sunspots. Preliminary results from a statistical analysis of Debrecen Photoheliographic Results data show that the decay rate of sunspots is significantly slower in late phases of the decay than in earlier phases. Our findings are compatible with the predictions of a recently developed turbulent erosion model for sunspot decay.