Could any one guide be on solar cycle, why it count 9 to 14 yrs long?
Question:
Answer:
It varies between about 9.5 and 12.5 years, but is around 11. At the beginning of a cycle the solar magnetic field resembles a dipole which axis is aligned with Sun's rotation axis. During the following 5-6 years towards the maximum this nice configuration is totally destroyed, leaving the Sun, magnetically, in a disorganized state with streamers and holes scattered all over different latitudes. During the latter part of the cycle the dipole field is restored. When a new dipole is reformed, it has an opposite orientation (polarity) than the old one: this creates a 22-year cycle for the Sun, the so-called double-solar-cycle.
It does vary but the rule of thumb is 11 years for each cycle.Hope that helps! ;-)=
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