Speaker
Description
First Name: Shaonwita
Last Name: Pal
Affiliation: CESSI, IISER Kolkata
All Authors: Shaonwita Pal, Dibyendu Nandi
Abstract: The Sun’s polar magnetic fields play a fundamental role in governing solar cycle amplitude and the large-scale evolution of solar magnetism. Yet, these high-latitude magnetic fields are difficult to constrain with ground-based or space-based observations due to the observational limitations imposed by viewing from near the ecliptic plane. This challenge has motivated novel mission concepts, such as the SO/PHI instrument on Solar Orbiter, designed to image the polar regions from higher heliographic latitudes. In this work, we address the problem of constraining high-latitude magnetic fields and investigate their physical origin and role in modulating the solar cycle using data-driven simulations of magnetic field evolution. We particularly focus on the transition from the record-breaking Solar Cycle 19 to the much weaker Cycle 20, demonstrating how stochastic variations in the polar field source can account for such extreme variability. Extending this framework, we model the coronal magnetic structure and optimize the reconstruction of the open solar flux, resolving its century-scale discrepancy. The reconstructed maps provide a self-consistent magnetic linkage from the solar surface to the heliosphere. Ongoing and future observations from Solar Orbiter (SO/PHI) and Aditya-L1/VELC will be instrumental in validating and refining this framework, leading to improved understanding and prediction of solar magnetic activity.