Effects of Hysteresis Between Maximum CME Speed Index and Typical Solar Activity Indicators During Cycle 23

Abstract

Using the smoothed time series of maximum CME speed index for solar cycle 23, it is found that this index, analyzed jointly with six other solar activity indicators, shows a hysteresis phenomenon. The total solar irradiance, coronal index, solar radio flux (10.7 cm), Mg II core-to-wing ratio, sunspot area, and Hα flare index follow different paths for the ascending and the descending phases of solar cycle 23, while a saturation effect exists at the maximum phase of the cycle. However, the separations between the paths are not the same for the different solar activity indicators used: the Hα flare index and total solar irradiance depict broad loops, while the Mg II core-to-wing ratio and sunspot area depict narrow hysteresis loops. The lag times of these indices with respect to the maximum CME speed index are discussed, confirming that the hysteresis represents a clue in the search for physical processes responsible for changing solar emission.