Solar Rotation

 

Description

Solar rotation is able to vary with latitude because the Sun is composed of a gaseous plasma. The rate of rotation is observed to be fastest at the equator (latitude φ=0 deg), and to decrease as latitude increases. The differential rotation rate is usually described by the equation shown.

A current set of accepted average values is:

  • A= 14.713 deg/day (± 0.0491)
  • B= -2.396 deg/day (± 0.188)
  • C= -1.787 deg/day (± 0.253)

Variables

ω
angular velocity (°/day)
A
constant – current set of accepted average values : 14.713 deg/day (± 0.0491) (°/day)
B
constant – current set of accepted average values : -2.396 deg/day (± 0.188) (°/day)
ϕ
solar latitude (degree)
C
constant – current set of accepted average values : -1.787 deg/day (± 0.253) (°/day)