Differential rotation in the solar atmosphere inferred from optical, radio, and interplanetary data

Abstract

Autocorrelation analysis of sunspot number, solar radio flux, and interplanetary field in the period 1967 to 1970 yields new information concerning solar atmospheric rotation. The upper chromosphere and the lower corona are rotating on the average about 5 to 8 % faster than is either the photosphere or the upper corona. In addition, short-lived features in the chromosphere and lower corona are found to rotate sometimes as much as 10% faster than relatively long-lived features at the same height. Coronal and photospheric features are found to rotate more or less synchronously. Analysis of yearly data has indicated a considerable change in rotation periods from one year to another.