Irradiance and solar cycle variability: Clues in cycle phase properties

Abstract

We see solar cycle-related variations in almost every coronal, chromospheric, and photospheric measurement obtained over a several-years timescale. With such an abundant observational foundation, we should expect our physical models of the solar cycle to be overconstrained. In fact this is not the case and the "standard dynamo model" is not predictive. This paper describes some new thoughts on how solar irradiance variations may provide clues to the solar cycle regulation mechanism near the radiative-convection zone boundary. © 2004 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.