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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) |
