Activity-Cycle Variations of Convection Scales in Subsurface Layers of the Sun

Abstract

We use subsurface-flow velocity maps inferred by time--distance helioseismology from Doppler measurements with the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to investigate variations of large-scale convection during Solar Cycles 24 and 25 in the 19-Mm-deep layer. The spatial power spectra of the horizontal-flow divergence reveal well-defined characteristic scales of solar supergranulation in the upper 4 Mm layer, while the giant-cell scale is prominent below levels of d ~ 8 Mm. We find that the characteristic scales of supergranulation remain stable while the giant scales increase during the periods of the 11-year activity cycle maxima. The power of the giant-cell scales increases with the enhancement of solar activity. This may be due to large-scale flows around active regions and, presumably, solar-cycle variations of the convection-zone stratification.

arXiv comment12 pages, 8 figures

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