Protosolar Nebula Research Articles

Depleted Carbon Monoxide in Fragment C of the Jupiter-Family Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

Carbon monoxide emission was targeted in fragment C of the recently split Jupiter-family comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 during its 2006 apparition, using the Cryogenic Echelle Spectrograph (CSHELL) at the NASA IRTF on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Simultaneous sounding with H2O near 4.65 mm revealed highly depleted CO, consistent with a mixing ratio of 0.5% 0.13%. Along with depleted CH3OH but nearly normal HCN, this may indicate that this comet formed in the inner giant planets’ region or, alternatively, that it formed relatively late, after significant clearing of the protosolar nebula. Subject headings: comets: general — comets: individual (73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3) — molecular processes — solar system: formation Online material: color figure

Protostar Formation in Magnetic Molecular Clouds beyond Ion Detachment. II. Typical Axisymmetric Solution

We follow the ambipolar-diffusion--driven formation and evolution of a fragment in a magnetically supported molecular cloud, until a hydrostatic protostellar core forms at its center. This problem was formulated in Paper I. We determine the density, velocity and magnetic field as functions of space and time, and the contribution of ambipolar diffusion and Ohmic dissipation to the resolution of the magnetic flux problem of star formation. The issue of whether the magnetic field ever decouples from the (neutral) matter is also addressed. We also find that the electrons do not decouple from the field lines before thermal ionization becomes important and recouples the magnetic field to the neutral matter. Ohmic dissipation becomes more effective than ambipolar diffusion as a flux reduction mechanism only at the highest densities (a few times 10^12 particles per cubic cm). In the high-density central parts of the core, the magnetic field acquires an almost spatially uniform structure, with a value that, at the end of the calculation (number density ~ 5 times 10^14 particles per cubic cm), is found to be in excellent agreement with meteoritic measurements of magnetic fields in the protosolar nebula. Outside the hydrostatic protostellar core, a concentration of magnetic flux (a "magnetic wall") forms, which gives rise to a magnetic shock. This magnetic shock is the precursor of the repeated shocks found by Tassis & Mouschovias (2005) which cause spasmodic accretion onto the hydrostatic core at later times.

Protostar Formation in Magnetic Molecular Clouds beyond Ion Detachment. III. A Parameter Study

In two previous papers we formulated and solved, for a fiducial set of free parameters, the problem of the formation and evolution of a magnetically supercritical core inside a magnetically subcritical parent cloud. In this paper we present a parameter study to assess the sensitivity of the results (1) to the density at which the equation of state becomes adiabatic; (2) to the initial mass-to-flux ratio of the parent cloud; and (3) to ionization by radioactive decay of different nuclei (40K and 26Al) at high densities (number density > 10^12 particles per cubic cm). We find that (1) the results depend only slightly on the density at which the onset of adiabaticity occurs; (2) memory of the initial mass-to-flux ratio is completely lost at late times, which emphasizes the relevance of this work, idependently of the adopted theory of core formation; and (3) the precise source of radioactive ionization alters the degree of attachment of the electrons to the field lines (at high densities), and the relative importance of ambipolar diffusion and Ohmic dissipation in reducing the magnetic flux of the protostar. The value of the magnetic field at the end of the runs is insensitive to the values of the free parameters and in excellent agreement with meteoritic measurements of the protosolar nebula magnetic field. The magnetic flux problem of star formation is resolved for at least strongly magnetic newborn stars. A complete detachment of the magnetic field from the matter is unlikely. The formation of a "magnetic wall" (with an associated magnetic shock) is independent of the assumed equation of state, although the process is enhanced and accelerated by the formation of a central hydrostatic core.

Radioactive Probes of the Supernova‐contaminated Solar Nebula: Evidence that the Sun Was Born in a Cluster

We construct a simple model for radioisotopic enrichment of the protosolar nebula by injection from a nearby supernova, based on the inverse square law for ejecta dispersion. In this parameter study, the presolar radioisotopic abundances (i.e., in solar masses) demand a nearby supernova: its distance D can be no larger than 66 times the radius of the protosolar nebula, at a 90% confidence level, assuming 1 M☉ of protosolar material. The relevant size of the nebula depends on its state of evolution at the time of radioactivity injection. In one scenario, a collection of low-mass stars, including our Sun, formed in a group or cluster with a high-mass star that ended its life as a supernova while our Sun was still a protostar, a starless core, or perhaps a diffuse cloud. Using recent observations of protostars to estimate the size of the protosolar nebula constrains the distance of the supernova to D ~ 0.02-1.6 pc. This supernova distance limit is consistent with the scales of low-mass star formation around one or more massive stars, but it is closer than expected were the Sun formed in an isolated, solitary state. Consequently, if any presolar radioactivities originated via supernova injection, we must conclude that our Sun was a member of such a group or cluster that has since dispersed; thus, solar system formation should be understood in this context. The temporal choreography from supernova ejecta to meteorites is important, as the modeled timescale is ≤1.8 Myr. Finally, the model does not distinguish between progenitor masses from 15 to 25 M☉, although the 20 M☉ model is somewhat preferred.

Spitzer Spectral Observations of the Deep Impact Ejecta

Spitzer Space Telescope imaging spectrometer observations of comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the Deep Impact encounter returned detailed, highly structured, 5- to 35-micrometer spectra of the ejecta. Emission signatures due to amorphous and crystalline silicates, amorphous carbon, carbonates, phyllosilicates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, water gas and ice, and sulfides were found. Good agreement is seen between the ejecta spectra and the material emitted from comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) and the circumstellar material around the young stellar object HD100546. The atomic abundance of the observed material is consistent with solar and C1 chondritic abundances, and the dust-to-gas ratio was determined to be greater than or equal to 1.3. The presence of the observed mix of materials requires efficient methods of annealing amorphous silicates and mixing of high- and low-temperature phases over large distances in the early protosolar nebula.

Observations of Molecules in Comets

Comets are among the most primitive bodies of the solar system, and their chemical composition is rich in information on the protosolar nebula and its possible connection with interstellar cloud chemistry. Comets are also a source of light atoms and, possibly, prebiotic organic molecules for the early Earth. We know better and better the abundances of cometary volatiles through spectroscopy, mainly at infrared and radio wavelengths. Another crucial component of cometary matter - organic refractories - is still poorly characterized, however.We summarize here the ˜30 abundances and ˜20 upper limits obtained on cometary volatiles and highlight a few species and problems: ethylene glycol, NS, HNC/HCN, ^{14}N/^{15}N, the origin of CN, CS_{2}, PAHs, and H_{2}O. Comet-to-comet variations and comet internal heliocentric variations can now be studied, and cometary comas can be mapped with a variety of techniques. We list a number of temperature indicators, for they can help understand the relation between IS and cometary matters, which present both a global similarity but also marked differences, such as the high ethylene glycol content of comets.We conclude by outlining a few key problems to be addressed by future ground-based and space instruments or by cometary sample analysis. For many species, we stress that laboratory data are missing on spectroscopy, photodissociation and collisions with H_{2}O.

Short-lived nuclei in the early Solar System: Possible AGB sources

The abundances of short-lived radionuclides in the early Solar System (ESS) are reviewed, as well as the methodology used in determining them. These results are compared with the inventory estimated for a uniform galactic production model. It is shown that, to within a factor of two, the observed abundances of 238U, 235U, 232Th, 244Pu, 182Hf, 146Sm, and 53Mn are roughly compatible with long-term galactic nucleosynthesis. 129I is an exception, with an ESS inventory much lower than expected from uniform production. The isotopes 107Pd, 60Fe, 41Ca, 36Cl, 26Al, and 10Be require late addition to the protosolar nebula. 10Be is the product of energetic particle irradiation of the Solar System as most probably is 36Cl. Both of these nuclei appear to be present when 26Al is absent. A late injection by a supernova (SN) cannot be responsible for most of the short-lived nuclei without excessively producing 53Mn; it can however be the source of 53Mn itself and possibly of 60Fe. If a late SN injection is responsible for these two nuclei, then there remains the problem of the origin of 107Pd and several other isotopes. Emphasis is given to an AGB star as a source of many of the nuclei, including 60Fe; this possibility is explored with a new generation of stellar models. It is shown that if the dilution factor (i.e. the ratio of the contaminating mass to the solar parental cloud mass) is f 0 ∼ 4 × 10 −3 , a reasonable representation for many nuclei is obtained; this requires that ( 60Fe/ 56Fe) ESS ∼ 10 −7 to 2 × 10 −6 . The nuclei produced by an AGB source do not include 53Mn, 10Be or 36Cl if it is very abundant. The role of irradiation is discussed with regard to 26Al, 36Cl and 41Ca, and the estimates of bulk solar abundances of these isotopes are commented on. The conflict between various scenarios is emphasized as well as the current absence of an astrophysically plausible global interpretation for all the existing data. Examination of abundances for the actinides indicates that a quiescent interval of ∼ 10 8 yr is required for actinide group production. This is needed in order to explain the data on 244Pu and the new bounds on 247Cm. Because this quiescent interval is not compatible with the 182Hf data, a separate type of r-process event is needed for at least the actinides, distinct from the two types that have previously been identified. The apparent coincidence of the 129I and trans-actinide time scales suggests that the last heavy r contribution was from an r-process that produced very heavy nuclei but without fission recycling so that the yields at Ba and below (including I) were governed by fission.

Low-pressure adsorption of Ar, Kr, and Xe on carbonaceous materials (kerogen and carbon blacks), ferrihydrite, and montmorillonite: Implications for the trapping of noble gases onto meteoritic matter

Noble gases trapped in meteorites are tightly bound in a carbonaceous carrier labeled “phase Q.” Mechanisms having led to their retention in this phase or in its precursors are poorly understood. To test physical adsorption as a way of retaining noble gases into precursors of meteoritic materials, we have performed adsorption experiments for Ar, Kr, and Xe at low pressures (10 −4 mbar to 500 mbar) encompassing pressures proposed for the evolving solar nebula. Low-pressure adsorption isotherms were obtained for ferrihydrite and montmorillonite, both phases being present in Orgueil (CI), for terrestrial type III kerogen, the best chemical analog of phase Q studied so far, and for carbon blacks, which are present in phase Q and can be considered as possible precursors. Based on adsorption data obtained at low pressures relevant to the protosolar nebula, we propose that the amount of noble gases that can be adsorbed onto primitive materials is much higher than previously inferred from experiments carried out at higher pressures. The adsorption capacity increases from kerogen, carbon blacks, montmorillonite to ferrihydrite. Because of its low specific surface area, kerogen can hardly account for the noble gas inventory of Q. Carbon blacks in the temperature range 75 K-100 K can adsorb up to two orders of magnitude more noble gases than those found in Q. Irreversible trapping of a few percent of noble gases adsorbed on such materials could represent a viable process for incorporating noble gases in phase Q precursors. This temperature range cannot be ruled out for the zone of accretion of the meteorite precursors according to recent astrophysical models and observations, although it is near the lower end of the temperatures proposed for the evolving solar nebula.

Organic molecules in the hot corinos and circumstellar disks of IRAS 16293-2422

Using the recently-commissioned Submillimeter Array (SMA), we have detected several complex organic molecules, including (CH3)2O, C2H5OH, C2H5CN, and tentatively CH2CDCN, toward the protostellar hot cores of IRAS 16293-2422 at arcsecond-resolution (~< 400 AU in radius). Vibrationally excited transitions of SO, SO2 and HCN with energy levels up to 1800 K were also observed. In addition to the other organic molecules (HC3N, CH2CO, CH3OH, CH2CHCN and HCOOCH3) previously reported by us (Kuan et al. 2004), these results clearly indicate the existence of a rich organic chemistry in low-mass `hot corinos'. From the observation of optically thin HC15N emission, we conclude I16293A is a rotating circumstellar disk lying along the north-south direction ~10 deg to the east and with an inclination ~30 deg to the sky. We suggest that the observed vibrational SO and SO2 emission may originate from shock waves near or in the circumstellar disks. Between the two cores, we find a strong anticorrelation in emission from C2H5OH and C2H5CN. The relative contribution of gas phase and grain-surface chemistries to the production of the observed complex molecules is discussed. We point out the shortcomings underlying recent claims that all the O-bearing organics are formed on grains. The presence of so many well-known interstellar molecules in solar-type hot corinos strengthens the link between molecular cloud chemistry, the starting materials of protoplanetary disks such as the protosolar nebula, and the composition of comets. Establishing the fine details of this connection is crucial in answering fundamental questions concerning the importance of galactic astrochemistry for astrobiology.

Disk Chemistry and Cometary Composition

AbstractWe describe a theoretical study of protoplanetary disk chemistry. By considering physical conditions similar to that of the protosolar nebula, we attempt to assess the contribution made by material from the cooler nebular regions to cometesimal composition. Calculations are presented which determine the spatial and temporal chemistry of the gas and dust within the 5-40 AU comet-forming region of the nebula. We show that there is little radial variation in the solid-state distribution of some molecules which could potentially be parents of the carbon-chain species observed in comets. We conclude that the apparent variation in abundance of C2 and C3 between long- and short-period comets is the result of chemical processing during their lifetimes and not differences in composition at the time of formation.

Formation of the solar system by instability

The early gas and dust protosolar nebula of the solar composition is considered analytically. A simultaneous formation of the sun and all the planets around it (, Neptune, Kuiper belt, new planets or other Kuiper-type belts).To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

The Evolution of Gravitationally Unstable Protoplanetary Disks: Fragmentation and Possible Giant Planet Formation

We carry out a large set of very high resolution, three-dimensional, smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations describing the evolution of gravitationally unstable gaseous protoplanetary disks. We consider a broad range of initial disk parameters. Disk masses out to 20 AU range from 0.075 to 0.125 M☉, roughly consistent with the high end of the mass distribution inferred for disks around T Tauri stars. Minimum outer temperatures range from 30 to 100 K, as expected from studies of the early protosolar nebula and suggested by the modeling of the spectra of protoplanetary disks. The mass of the central star is also varied, although it is usually assumed to be equal to that of the Sun. Overall, the initial disks span minimum Q-parameters between 0.8 and 2, with most models having Q ~ 1.4. The disks are evolved assuming either a locally isothermal equation of state or an adiabatic equation of state with varying γ. Heating by (artificial) viscosity and shocks is included when the adiabatic equation of state is used. When condensations above a specific density threshold appear as a result of gravitational instability in a locally isothermal calculation, the equation of state is switched to adiabatic to account for the increased optical depth. We show that when a disk has a minimum Q-parameter less than 1.4, strong trailing spiral instabilities, typically three- or four-armed modes, form and grow until fragmentation occurs along the arms after about 5 mean disk orbital times. The resulting clumps contract quickly to densities several orders of magnitude higher than the initial disk density, and the densest of them survive even under adiabatic conditions. These clumps are stable to tidal disruption and merge quickly, leaving two to three protoplanets on fairly eccentric orbits (the mean eccentricity being around 0.2) after ~103 yr. Fragmentation is not strongly dependent on whether the disk starts from a marginally unstable state or gradually achieves it; we show that if the disk is allowed to grow in mass from a very light, very stable state over tens of orbital times, it still fragments at roughly the same mass and temperature as in the standard disk models. We show that the first stages of the instability, until the appearance of the overdensities, can be understood in terms of the maximum unstable Toomre wavelength and the local Jeans length. A high mass and force resolution are needed to correctly resolve both scales and follow the fragmentation process appropriately. Varying disk mass and temperature affects such physical scales and hence the typical masses of the protoplanets that form. Objects smaller than Saturn or a couple of times bigger than Jupiter can both be produced by fragmentation. Their final masses will then depend on the subsequent interactions and mergers with other clumps and on the accretion of disk material. The accretion rate depends on the disk thermodynamics and is negligible with adiabatic conditions. After ~103 yr the masses range from just below 1MJup to more than 7MJup, well in agreement with those of detected extrasolar planets.

Cosmic Ray-Induced Polycondensate Hydrocarbons in Giant Molecular Clouds

Astrophysical and cosmochemical data show that many kinds of hydrocarbons are widespread in space, including giant molecular clouds, diffuse interstellar medium, comets, interplanetary dust particles, and carbonaceous meteorites. Here an effort is made to show the close relation between high-molecular weight hydrocarbons observed in space and existing on Earth. Results of astrochemical modelling of dust grains in dense collapsing cores of giant molecular clouds are also presented. They show that about 10% of the total abundance of dust grains may be the result of aliphatic hydrocarbons. This dust serves as initial material for comets, formed in protosolar nebula. The problem of survival of cometary organics during impact onto the Earth is discussed, and it is shown that the so-called “soft-landing comet” hypothesis may explain the accumulation of complex hydrocarbons on the Earth's surface. We conclude that a significant fraction of terrestrial prebiotic petroleum was delivered by extraterrestrial matter.

Search for spatial variation in the jovian 15N/ 14N ratio from Cassini/CIRS observations

We have used the spectra obtained by the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) onboard the Cassini spacecraft to search for latitudinal variation in the 15N/ 14N ratio on Jupiter. We found no variations statistically significant given the observational and model uncertainties. The absence of latitudinal variations demonstrates that 15NH 3 is not fractionated in Jupiter's atmosphere, and that the measured 15N/ 14N represents Jupiter's global value. Our mean value for the global jovian 15N/ 14N ratio of (2.22±0.52)×10 −3 agrees with previous measurements made by Fouchet et al. (2000, Icarus 143, 223–243) and Owen et al. (2001, Astrophys. J. 553, L77–L79). We argue that the jovian isotopic 15N/ 14N ratio must represent the solar nitrogen isotopic composition. The solar 15N/ 14N ratio hence significantly differs from the terrestrial value: ( 15N/ 14N) ⊕=3.68×10 −3. This supports the proposition that terrestrial nitrogen originates from a nitrogen reservoir isolated from the main nitrogen reservoir in the proto-solar nebula. The origin and carrier of this isolated reservoir are still unknown.

Density Distribution in Disks around Protostellar Objects

A new method to find the density distribution in disks around protostellar objects, based on linear polarization maps, is presented. This method uses the displacement of the polarization null points as a function of wavelength. Variations in optical depth are converted into density variations with opacity tables for dust grains. The method has been applied with five linear polarization maps obtained at different wavelengths of the classical T Tauri star HL Tau. The slope of the density as a function of radius in the disk is compatible with the model of the standard protosolar nebula. The total mass of the disk is compatible with values determined by other methods. Other objects have been analyzed, with similar results, although with a smaller number of wavelength bands.

A Chemical Route to the Formation of Water in the Circumstellar Envelopes around Carbon-rich Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars: Fischer-Tropsch Catalysis

Fischer-Tropsch catalysis has been suggested as a means of driving hydrocarbon chemistry in oxygen rich regions such as the protosolar nebula. In addition to producing hydrocarbons, Fischer-Tropsch catalysis also produces water, and it is therefore possible that such processes could account for the recent observations of water in the circumstellar envelope of asymptotic giant branch star IRC +10216.

Early solar system radioactivity and AGB stars

The possible stellar origin of those short-lived nuclei that were shown to be alive in the Early Solar System (ESS) is briefly discussed. The applicability of a close-by AGB star polluting the protosolar nebula depends on the extent to which several nuclei can be explained and in particular the strongly debated problems of the initial amount of 60Fe, as inferred from recent measurements.

Distribution of Circumstellar Disk Masses in the Young Cluster NGC 2024

We determine the distribution of circumstellar disk masses in the young (~0.3 Myr) cluster NGC 2024 by imaging a 25 × 25 region in 3 mm continuum emission to an rms noise level of ~0.75 mJy beam-1 with the Owens Valley Millimeter Array. The mosaic encompasses 147 K-band sources, as well as the molecular ridge seen previously in dust continuum emission. We detect 10 pointlike sources in 3 mm continuum emission above the level of 5 σ within the unit gain region of the mosaic. One of these sources corresponds to the near-IR source IRS 2, an early B-type star. Two other sources are tentatively associated with low-mass near-IR cluster members, and the remaining seven sources have no K-band counterparts. Assuming the millimeter continuum point sources represent emission from circumstellar disks and/or envelopes, then ~6% of the total population (infrared and millimeter sources) in the NGC 2024 mosaic have a circumstellar mass in excess of ~0.06 M☉. We obtain further constraints on the average circumstellar disk mass by considering the mean millimeter continuum flux observed toward a sample of 140 K-band sources that likely have stellar masses 1-2 M☉. While none of these sources are detected individually above the 3 σ limit of ~0.035 M☉, the ensemble of sources are detected in the mean at the 5 σ level with a mean disk mass of ~0.005 M☉. Compared with the older (~2 Myr) cluster IC 348, NGC 2024 contains a higher frequency of massive disks or envelopes and has a higher mean disk mass by a factor of 2.5 ± 1.3 among K-band sources, suggesting that the mean circumstellar mass is decreasing with cluster age. We also compare the results for the NGC 2024 and IC 348 clusters with those for the lower density Taurus star-forming region. Finally, we compare our detection limits with the minimum mass estimate for the proto-solar nebula and discuss possible implications for planet formation.

Nitrogen isotopic composition of macromolecular organic matter in interplanetary dust particles

Nitrogen concentrations and isotopic compositions were measured by ion microprobe scanning imaging in two interplanetary dust particles L2021 K1 and L2036 E22, in which imaging of D/H and C/H ratios has previously evidenced the presence of D-rich macromolecular organic components. High nitrogen concentrations of 10–20 wt% and δ 15N values up to +400‰ are observed in these D-rich macromolecular components. The previous study of D/H and C/H ratios has revealed three different D-rich macromolecular phases. The one previously ascribed to macromolecular organic matter akin the insoluble organic matter (IOM) from carbonaceous chondrites is enriched in nitrogen by one order of magnitude compared to the carbonaceous chondrite IOM, although its isotopic composition is still similar to what is known from Renazzo (δ 15N = +208‰). The correlation observed in macromolecular organic material between the D- and 15N-excesses suggests that the latter originate probably from chemical reactions typical of the cold interstellar medium. These interstellar materials preserved to some extent in IDPs are therefore macromolecular organic components with various aliphaticity and aromaticity. They are heavily N-heterosubstituted as shown by their high nitrogen concentrations >10 wt%. They have high D/H ratios >10 −3 and δ 15N values ≥ +400‰. In L2021 K1 a mixture is observed at the micron scale between interstellar and chondritic-like organic phases. This indicates that some IDPs contain organic materials processed at various heliocentric distances in a turbulent nebula. Comparison with observation in comets suggests that these molecules may be cometary macromolecules. A correlation is observed between the D/H ratios and δ 15N values of macromolecular organic matter from IDPs, meteorites, the Earth and of major nebular reservoirs. This suggests that most macromolecular organic matter in the inner solar system was probably issued from interstellar precursors and further processed in the protosolar nebula.

Latitudinal structure and north-south asymmetry of the solar wind from Lyman-αremote sensing by SWAN

Based on SWAN/SOHO observations carried out during 1996–2002, we analyze latitudinal profiles of the heliospheric backscatter Lyman-α radiation. We use these results to investigate the ionization field of neutral hydrogen in the inner heliosphere and the latitudinal distribution of the solar wind mass flux. The the depth and latitudinal range of the equatorial depression in the Lyman-α backscatter glow (the so-called “groove”) are correlated with the corresponding parameters of the ionization field. We show that the groove is entirely due to latitudinal anisotropy of the solar wind, since, as we are able to demonstrate, the photoionization rate remains spherically symmetric throughout the solar cycle. During the last solar minimum the groove was well developed and stable. During the ascending phase of solar activity, it expanded in latitude (first south, then north), and disappeared altogether during the solar maximum. Shortly after the maximum it reappeared, but its structure was more complex than during the ascending phase. The groove feature is correlated with the equatorial band occupied by the slow solar wind, while the polar maxima of the Lyman-α intensity correspond to the fast solar wind from the polar holes. The groove observations (supported by appropriate modeling) show that during the last solar minimum the mass flux of the fast solar wind from the north and south polar holes were different from each other: a true north-south asymmetry between the polar regions was detected. During the solar minimum, the area occupied by the slow solar wind was quite stable and offset slightly to the south with respect to the solar equator: it extended to about 30°N and 35°S from the beginning of observations in May 1996 till 1998. Then it expanded by about north and south, and subsequently migrated towards southern latitudes, so that it engulfed the south pole in May/June 2000. The north region of the fast wind survived longer and disappeared as late as November/December 2001. To check for the persistence of the north-south asymmetry, we analyze as a proxy the net sunspot area in the north and south hemispheres of the Sun during the 12 past solar cycles. Small north-south asymmetries are found to be commonplace during the past cycles, but the polarity of the asymmetries changes, leaving no statistically significant remnant asymmetry. This suggests that the solar dynamo is solely responsible for the asymmetry, with no remnant magnetic field from the protosolar nebula.