Characteristics of the solar flares and their spatial distribution in cycle 22 and the first half of cycle 23

Abstract

This paper considers 3246 solar flares in the line Hα, which were accompanied by X-ray emission with a power f ≥ 5 × 10−6 Wm−2 in the solar cycle 22 (CR1797-CR1864). During 33 rotations, the specific power of X-ray emission of the flares increased monotonically by a factor of 4 from the cycle minimum up to its first maximum. The number of flares in each solar turnover rises non-monotonically and disproportionately to the relative number of sunspots. For the entire interval of time, one can identify several longitudinal intervals with increased flare activity. They exist during 5–10 rotations. The characteristics of the flares for 33 rotations in cycles 22 and 23 (CR1797-CR1961) are compared. It is concluded that the Sun is more active in cycle 22 than in cycle 23.