The Non-radial Propagation of Coronal Streamers within a Solar Cycle

Abstract

We have analyzed the shape of the solar corona using the data of daily observations with Mark-III/IV (1980-2008) and SOHO/LASCO-2 (1996-2009) telescopes. The angles of deviation of coronal rays from the radial direction Δθ vary cyclically, reaching the maximum deviation toward the solar equator at the minimum of the solar activity. We consider the relations between the angles of deviation of coronal rays and the parameters of the heliospheric current sheet, and discuss the hypothesis according to which the variations of the inclination Δθ of coronal rays can affect the parameters of the solar wind and the indices of geomagnetic perturbations at the minima of the solar activity cycles.