© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

Analogy between Sunspots 1158,1164,1166 on the Sun

- A.Deoras

I- Introduction
This article describes the phases of sunspots 1158,1164,1166 on the sun during a period of Feb-Mar
2011. This article tries to establish a relation between the mentioned sunspots ( Magnetic Field
Relation) which powered X class flares from region 1158,1166 during the Solar Cycle 24

II- What are Sunspots?

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

Sunspots are the temporary features on the photosphere of the sun which are formed due to inhibits
convection making them to appear dark due to reduced temperature as compared to other regions
of sun

III- Magnetic Classification of Sunspots i.e Classification of Sunspots on the nature of magnetic
fields around them

Sunspots are classified on the basis of Magnetic field around them i.e on the basis of magnetic
poles,their complexity(intensity).

Mount Wilson Sunspot Magnetic Classification

Classification of the magnetic character of sunspots according to rules set forth by the
Mount Wilson Observatory in California.
alpha: A unipolar sunspot group.

beta: A sunspot group having both positive and negative magnetic polarities (bipolar),
with a simple and distinct division between the polarities.

gamma: A complex active region in which the positive and negative polarities are so
irregularly distributed as to prevent classification as a bipolar group.

beta-gamma: A sunspot group that is bipolar but which is sufficiently complex that no
single, continuous line can be drawn between spots of opposite polarities.

delta: A qualifier to magnetic classes(see below) indicating that umbrae separated by

less than 2 degrees within one penumbra have opposite polarity.

beta-delta: A sunspot group of general beta magnetic classification but containing one
(or more) delta spot(s).

beta-gamma-delta: A sunspot group of beta-gamma magnetic classification but

containing one (or more) delta spot(s).

gamma-delta: A sunspot group of gamma magnetic classification but containing one (or
more) delta spot(s).
II. SUNSPOT 1158-
First appeared - 7th Feb 2011 as an area ( AR 1158)
Disappeared/Rotated Away - Rotated away on 21st Feb 2011
First Significant Flare produced- M6.6 on 13th Feb 2011

Max Flare produced- X2.2 ( First X class flare of Solar Cycle 24)
Date- 15th Feb 2011 at 0156UT

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

AR 1158 Magnetic Field starts becoming more complex after the formation.
As a result, a marked sunspot 1158 appears on the sun on 11th Feb 2011.

Status as of 11-12th Feb 2011

Sunspot 1158's Magnetograms clearly indicate strengthening of polarity i.e the black and white
patches ( South and North pole) respectively becomes wide and complex
The Magnetic classification now reaches a Gamma Magnetic Field which produces C class flares to
low M class flares.

13th Feb 2011-

An M6.6 Solar Flare was produced from this sunspot.

Magnetic Classification on 13th Feb- Beta-Gamma magnetic field.
Earth Directed flare caused a R2 Radio Blackout.

Sunspot Widened more than 100,000 kms as seen here

Below are the Magnetogram Images of 12th Feb and 13th Feb of nearly the same time i.e 1753UT.

First Image is of 12th Feb showing Gamma Magnetic field

Second Image is of 13th Feb showing Beta-Gamma Magnetic field.

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

Note- The polarity of Sunspot 1158 strengthened as seen from widening of black and white patches
( South and North Pole respectively) in a period of 24hrs.

14TH Feb 2011-

Sunspot continued to become more complex due to differential rotation speeds at different latitudes
on the sun.
Magnetic field- Beta Gamma Delta.

Above- The 14th Feb Magnetogram of the region encircled in green showing more complex polarity
and classification into Beta-Gamma-Delta spot.
© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

15th Feb 2011-

On early morning hours (0156UT), An X2.2 solar flare was released from the sunspot.

The sunspot continued to have a Beta-Gamma-Delta field. But the question arises what
made this Sunspot to hurl an X2.2 Solar Flare.

Explanation using a new product view which show something very common with sunspots.

THE MAGNETIC FIELD LINES IN BELOW IMAGE.

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

AS SEEN FROM THE ABOVE 2048PFSS PLOT, THE SUNSPOT 1158 AS SEEN IN THE LOWER
RIGHT OF THE IMAGE HAS SOME SYMMETRICAL MAGNETIC FIELD LINES. MAGNETIC
LINES ( ASSUMED ) TO START FROM NORTH POLE( WHITE) REACHING TO BLACK(SOUTH
POLE) CONSTITUTING A MAGNETIC DIPOLE.

DESPITE OF THE COMPLEXITY IN POLARITY AS SHOWN BY THE MAGNETOGRAM, THIS

IMAGE SHOWS THAT THE MAGNETIC LINES AROUND THE SUNSPOT ARE SYMMETRICAL
AND HAVE AN OPEN FIELD STRUCTURE.
III. Sunspot 1166

First Appeared- ( On the earth side of Sun ) on 3rd March 2011

Sunspot had formed on the side of the sun away from the earth.

Disappeared/Rotated away - Presently on the Earth side of Sun

First noted Solar flare- M2 class flare at 1400UT at 7th March 2011.

Max Solar Flare- X1.5 flare

AT- 2323UT on 9th March 2011.

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS
Magnetogram of region 1166 showing a complex bipolar sunspot or Gamma Magnetic field.(TOP)
6TH MARCH AND 7TH MARCH 2011
Sunspot 1166 continued to evolve and having beta-gamma classification.
Size of Sunspot highly increases.

BELOW-
MAGNETOGRAM IMAGES OF SUNSPOT 1166.
TOP IMAGE IS OF 6TH MARCH SHOWING THE REGION AS SEEN IN THE TOP LEFT OF THE
SUN.
SECOND IMAGE IS OF THE MAGNETIC FIELD LINES ON 7TH MARCH 2011.
 AS MENTIONED ABOVE, SUNSPOT 1166 PRODUCED AN M CLASS FLARE ON 7TH MARCH.
IT CAN BE NOTICED THAT THE POLARITY IS COMPLEX WITH SYMMETRIC ARRANGEMENT
OF MAGNETIC FIELD LINES
*** SAME AS SEEN IN THE CASE OF SUNSPOT 1158 WHICH ALSO HAS OPEN MAGNETIC
STRUCTURE

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

X 1.5 Class flare-
Sunspot 1166 produced an X 1.5 class flare as described here

IV. Sunspot 1164-

First appeared ( On the Earth side of the sun) - 25th Feb 2011
Sunspot had formed on the side of sun away from earth

Disappeared/Rotated away - Rotated away on 10th Mar 2011

First noted Solar flare- 24th Feb 2011 ..M3 Class flare

Max Solar Flare- M1 solar flare at 1431UT on 7th March 2011.

SUNSPOT REGION 1163-1164 FIRST APPEARED ON 25TH FEB 2011.
SUNSPOT DEVELOPED ON THE SIDE OF SUN AWAY FROM THE EARTH.
ON 25TH FEB 2011 THE SUNSPOT HAD "BETA-GAMMA MAGNETIC FIELD"

It was noted that despite having Beta-Gamma magnetic field in the initial period and then a Delta
Magnetic classification, sunspot 1164 didn't produce any strong flare other than M1 flare.
Low C class flares were produced by the sunspot during the period of appearance.

MAGNETIC FIELD LINES OF 1164

AS SEEN FROM THE PICTURE ABOVE OF THE MAGNETOGRAM OF 7TH MARCH 2011, THE
DELTA SUNSPOT HAS TREMENDOUS COMPLEX POLARITY AND EVEN TWISTED MAGNETIC
FIELD LINES.
MAGNETIC FIELD LINES WERE TWISTED IN THE REGION 1164.
*** ALSO SEEN IN THE IMAGE, SUNSPOT 1166 AT THE UPPER LEFT OF THE SUN.
© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS
COMPARE THE MAGNETIC FIELD LINES OF THE SUNSPOT 1164 AND 1166!

IV - GENERAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF SUNSPOTS 1158,1164,1166

1] Sunspot 1158 and 1166 produced an X class flare along with multiple M and C class flares
2] Sunspot 1164 produced NO big flare other than a M1 class flare
3] The overall structure of Magnetic Field lines of Sunspot 1158 and 1166 were identical to each
other while the structure of magnetic field lines of sunspot 1164 differed.
4] Sunspot 1158 and 1166 had open magnetic field structure while there was complex magnetic field
lines in the region 1164.

V- GRAPHICAL DISPLAY OF MAGNETIC FIELD LINES OF SUNSPOT 1158,1164

- DISPLAY OF SYMMETRIC MAGNETIC FIELD LINES.

THE COMPARISON OF IMAGES OF SUNSPOT 1166,1158 AND 1169 SHOW SYMMETRICAL

CORONAL LOOPS.

EXAMPLES BELOW © 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS
VI. EFFECT OF SYMMETRIC CORONAL LOOPS ON VARIOUS REGIONS OF THE SUN ( Open
Flux Tube modification proposal)

As seen from the above few images of the magnetic field around sunspot 1158,1166 we can clearly
see that magnetic field lines are symmetrical from one pole to another pole i.e there is no complexity
in field line symmetry. Due to such orderly arrangement, there is an area having Coronal
loop directly reaching to the transition region of the sun. These coronal loops also have symmetrical
arrangement.

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

From the Photosphere of the sun the coronal loops originate having an extent till the Sun's corona.
It can also be said that there is some passage which connects the Sun's interior to the Corona
which acts as a gateway to Coronal Mass Ejections.
Due to Symmetry of Coronal loops outside the photosphere, it can be inferred that the symmetry is
maintained in the interior part of the sun.

Thus due to supposed orderly arrangement of these coronal loops, there is symmetric magnetic
field line arrangement from one polarity to another polarity which enhances energy transfer through
transition region and corona.

*** Open Flux tube

Open Flux tube is that passage passing from Sun's interior to Sun's Corona. They are surrounded
by the coronal loops.

VII- ELASTIC BAND EXAMPLE AND CONCLUSION © 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

The symmetry of the magnetic field lines can be compared to an elastic band.
Consider an elastic band of any mass,volume.
The elastic band is at rest position with no potential energy stored in it as seen from the
below figure top portion ( Untwisted Elastic Band).

On Winding the Elastic band,potential energy of user is stored in it and band takes the form
of a twisted band as seen in the lower picture.

After the user removes the hand, Potential Energy gets converted into unwinding energy
which again brings back the elastic band in original form as of the top image.
© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

During Winding,after a certain limit ( number of Rotations of the elastic band about the
thumb axis of user were the band is held), user can't wind the elastic band. On releasing,
band starts unwinding rapidly ( Energy conversion and release)

Thus that becomes the maximum energy limit that can be stored. If user doesn't wind till that
Max limit, then on unwinding, weak energy release is obtained.

* Similarly, magnetic field of a sunspot starts winding up due to differential rotation speed at
different latitude of the sun. The required energy is stored in the coronal loops.
Some sunspot region reach the maximum limit where they become more symmetrical or
maximum wound ( Sunspot 1169,1158,1166) while some don't reach till that max limit
( Sunspot 1164) which restricts Intensity of Solar Flare

BASIC CONCLUSIONS-
1] MAGNETIC FIELD OF EVERY SUNSPOT BECOMES COMPLEX BUT WINDING ABOUT A
PERPENDICULAR AXIS PASSING THROUGH THE GEOMETRICAL CENTER OF
PERPENDICULAR DISTANCE BETWEEN REGIONS OF OPPOSITE POLARITY
2] SOME SUNSPOTS WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING X CLASS FLARES HAVE GONE
THROUGH MAXIMUM WINDING.

3] SOME SUNSPOTS DON'T REACH TO THE MAXIMA AND SO PRODUCE ONLY LOW CLASS
FLARES

4] THE MORE SYMMETRICAL MAGNETIC FIELD( DEGREE OF CLOSENESS OF FIELD LINES)

THE MORE HIGH CLASS FLARES AND CORONAL MASS EJECTION THE SUNSPOT CAN
TRIGGER.

VIII- References

1] NOAA/NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

2] NASA Solar Dynamic Observatory Magnetograms and close range images
3] Spaceweather.com for providing database on sunspots,solar flare activities and simplified
magnetic classification rules
4] Mount Wilson Observatory for providing the rules of Magnetic Classification of Sunspots.

© 2011 AKSHAY DEORAS

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.