Wednesday

A large-scale survey of Active Regions (AR) has been carried out over approximately 8 years, or the entire SDO dataset. Using a 2-stage identification process all observed ARs are identified and tracked in 5 different EUV wavelengths (131, 171, 193, 211 and 304). This reduced set of data leads to several different avenues of research. This first study focuses on active longitudes (AL). Plotting the mean longitudinal positions of these ARs over the entire time period reveals several bands of increased AR frequency drifting faster than the Carrington rotation rate. These bands can last for several years, and are regions that host several distinct ARs over these long periods. Understanding ALs can lead to a better understanding of the production and transport of the magnetic field within the solar interior, and can contribute towards predicting increased space weather risk over long timescales.