John Doty wrote:

In article , "starman"
wrote:

John Doty wrote:

In article , "starman"
wrote:

Great report. Are these events more likely to happen during the
decline of a solar cycle?

Yes. In the declining part of the cycle flares are generally less
frequent but more energetic.

Is that because the magnetic field lines become more 'twisted' (for lack
of a better word) during the declining phase of the cycle?
---

Other way around. The field is less tangled, so there are fewer
opportunities for reconnection. However, this also means that if
reconnection occurs, it can rearrange the field on a large scale,
releasing a lot of energy.

--
John Doty

I thought the solar cycle is primarily driven by the effect of the sun's
differential rotation on it's magnetic field. If this is correct, how
does it relate to what you say (above) about the field lines becoming
less 'twisted' during the declining phase of the cycle?


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