Global Pattern of the Magnetic Field Vector Above Neutral Lines from 1974 to 1982: Pic-du-Midi Observations of Prominences

Abstract

The magnetic field vectors derived from the Hanle effect measured in prominences during the ascending phase and maximum of Cycle 21 have been plotted on the corresponding synoptic maps of Meudon Observatory (e.g., Figure 2). Most of these measurements have been performed in a single line, He I D3. Our previous analysis of 2-line measurements have already proven that prominence magnetic fields have Inverse polarity (Bommier et al. 1994) and remain close to the horizontal plane (Bommier et al. 1986, 1994). We also found earlier that the field component along the filament axis shows a remarkable large scale pattern, especially at high latitudes (Leroy et al. 1983). Given the geometry of horizontal Inverse field, we reinvestigate this large scale organization through our complete set of observations (296 prominences). These new maps fully confirm and extend to medium latitudes the law of reversal of the axial field from one prominence band to the adjacent ones (see Figure 2). This behavior, together with the Inverse polarity pattern, gives a picture consistent with a North-South global field distorted by the differential rotation (see Figure 3).