Modulation in the solar irradiance due to surface magnetism during cycles 21, 22 and 23

Abstract

Magnetic field indices derived from synoptic magnetograms of the Mt. Wilson Observatory, i.e. Magnetic Plage Strength Index (MPSI) and Mt. Wilson Sunspot Index (MWSI), are used to study the effects of surface magnetism on total solar irradiance variability during solar cycles 21, 22 and 23. We find that most of the solar cycle variation in the total solar irradiance can be accounted for by the absolute magnetic field strength on the solar disk, if fields associated with dark and bright regions are considered separately. However, there is a large scatter in the calculated and observed values of TSI during solar cycle 21. On the other hand, the multiple correlation coefficients obtained for solar cycles 22 and 23 are 0.88 and 0.91 respectively. Furthermore, separate regression analyses for solar cycles 22 and 23 do not show any significant differences in the total solar irradiance during these cycles. Our study further strengthens the view that surface magnetism indeed plays a dominant role in modulating solar irradiance.