Heliographic Distribution of Sunspots, 1988-1999

Volume 28 number 2 (2000)

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Raymond R. Thompson

Maple Observatory

Abstract

The heliographic latitude and longitude of 1338 penumbral sunspots observed by the author during cycle 22 were plotted on a Mercator-style map of the solar surface in order to study their distribution. Scarcity of spots along the equator and in high latitudes was evident, as were dense clumps and spot-free areas elsewhere. Analysis suggests that the sunspot distribution may not be completely random, but may be somewhat related to photosphere dynamics and interior convective processes.