Dynamics of the Sun’s Polar Field: Possible Insights from Out of the Ecliptic Observations

Abstract:

The solar polar fields play a crucial role in sustaining the solar dynamo mechanism. Observations and computational modelling indicates that the surface dynamics of active regions mediated via plasma flows, which leads to the polar field build-up, is a fundamental aspect of the solar dynamo mechanism; in fact, this surface mediated flux dynamics also known as the Babcock-Leighton mechanism, is now implicated to be the leading contributor to the Sun’s polar field, and thus also provides a window to the future solar cycle. This emergent understanding is one of the major drivers of novel mission concepts aiming to image the solar high latitudes from out of the ecliptic locations. Based on numerical simulations of the near-surface magnetic field dynamics and the Sun’s polar landscape, here we discuss what new insights may be provided by out-of-the ecliptic solar physics missions.