Phase difference between the two components of the solar cycle

Abstract

It is confirmed that near each solar minimum the latitude zone over which the small sunspot groups are distributed expands a few years before the expansion of the latitude zone of the large spot groups takes place. It is found that this expansion of the latitude zone of the small spot groups also preceeds the increase in the mean latitude of the small spot groups. These obsevations indicate that the thinner flux tubes of each fresh solar cycle start emerging earlier than the thicker flux tubes of the same cycle.