Advancing Understanding of Solar Cycle Dynamics: Periodicities, Hemispheric Asymmetries, and Geomagnetic Connections

Solar magnetic activity, manifesting as sunspots, flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), is the fundamental driver of space weather. This activity is modulated by the 11-year Schwabe cycle, its primary temporal framework. However, the Sun's behavior exhibits greater complexity, including a spectrum of other periodicities and persistent hemispheric asymmetries whose physical origins remain elusive. Understanding these dynamics—their periodicities, asymmetries, and geomagnetic signatures—is crucial for improving solar activity predictions and mitigating space weather risks.

This research topic aims for a fundamental breakthrough in understanding the complex dynamics governing solar cycle evolution. Beyond the established 11-year cycle, we seek to elucidate the physical mechanisms behind the full spectrum of solar periodicities and the persistent hemispheric asymmetries observed in magnetic flux emergence and solar activity. A key focus is their origins and impact on the solar-terrestrial connection, specifically through correlations with geomagnetic activity.

To achieve this, we encourage contributions leveraging long-term multi-wavelength observations, advanced analytical techniques (e.g., wavelet analysis, machine learning), and sophisticated dynamo models. We aim to synthesize research that quantitatively links cycle-dependent properties of solar active regions with global magnetic field evolution, and how these relationships manifest in geomagnetic indices. Ultimately, this topic seeks to consolidate these insights into significantly improved, physically grounded predictive models for solar cycle strength and space weather forecasting.

We invite original research and review articles advancing our understanding of solar cycle dynamics. Submissions are encouraged to explore multi-scale solar periodicities, the physical mechanisms driving hemispheric asymmetries in magnetic flux and sunspot distribution, and their quantitative links to geomagnetic activity. Specific themes of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Multi-scale periodicities in solar activity and their physical origins.
• Causes and consequences of hemispheric asymmetries in the solar magnetic field.
• Correlations between solar and geomagnetic parameters.
• The role of active region evolution in global cycle dynamics.
• Improved predictive models for solar cycle strength and space weather, incorporating asymmetries and geomagnetic precursors.

We welcome observational studies, theoretical models, data-driven analyses, and comprehensive reviews. Novel perspectives or methodologies aligned with the broader scope are also encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Solr Cycle, Magnetic Activity, Periodicity and asymmetry, geomagnetic activity, predictive model

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.