Abstract
The latitudinal distribution of sunspot groups over a solar cycle is investigated. Although individual sunspot groups of a solar cycle emerge randomly at any middle and low latitude, the whole latitudinal distribution of sunspot groups of the cycle is not stochastic and, in fact, can be represented by a probability density function of the Γ distribution having maximum probability at about 15.5°. The maximum amplitude of a solar cycle is found to be positively correlated against the number of sunspot groups at high latitude (≥35°) over the cycle, as well as the mean latitude. Also, the relation between the asymmetry of sunspot groups and its latitude is investigated, and a pattern of the N-S asymmetry in solar activity is suggested.
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Li, K., Wang, J., Zhan, L. et al. On the Latitudinal Distribution of Sunspot Groups over a Solar Cycle. Solar Physics 215, 99–109 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024814505979
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024814505979