Latitudinal Dependence of Supergranular Area and Fractal Dimension

Abstract

Abstract: A dependence of the area of supergranular cells with respect to the Latitude is studied and it is found that the
cells are situated symmetrically about the ±250latitude. Fractal dimension of the supergranular cells also shows a marginal latitudinal dependence, variation being in the range 1.6–1.7 in the latitudinal limits of ±300. Fractal dimension D for supergranulation is obtained according to the relation P ∝ AD/2 where ‘A is the area and ‘P’ is the perimeter of the supergranular cells. A difference in the fractal dimension between the active and quiet region cells is noted which is conjectured to be due to the magnetic activity level.Supergranular cells are essentially a manifestation of convective phenomena. They can shed light on the physical conditions in the convection zone of the Sun. Moreover, supergranules play a key role in the transport and dispersal of magnetic fields as it is an important step in our quest to understand the solar cycle.