Solar rotation and the giant cells

Abstract

Departures from the mean solar differential rotation rate as a function of latitude, longitude, and epoch of the solar cycle, together with variations in the rotation rate as determined by spectroscopic and tracer measurements are reviewed. It is shown that, if giant convection cells do exist as predicted, real variations in the subsurface rotation rate should occur and that this may be responsible for the observed surface anomalies. In terms of this hypothesis, a simple account is given for the anomalous rotation rates of sunspots. Furthermore, the torsional oscillations are identified as a modulation of the differential rotation produced by a system of toroidal convective rolls generated near the poles and propagating towards the equator. It is suggested that, as these rolls progress through lower latitudes, they break up into a system of cells which are the long sought for giant cells of the convection zone. Thus the torsional oscillations are identified as direct surface evidence for the existence of these cells.