On the properties of faculae at the poles of the Sun

Abstract

Context.Faculae at the poles of the Sun, or polar faculae (PFe), take part in the solar magnetic cycle. Their occurrence maximum is shifted by 5–6 years with respect to the sunspot cycle. PFe are stable phenomena, with lifetimes of several hours to days, and harbour magnetic fields of kilo-Gauss strength. Yet their role for the global magnetic field at the solar poles is unknown.