Shown is the Field Mapping version 1p07 interface. This directs cellular automata to follow our algorithms written in the Netlogo 4.1.3 language. The blue slider bars on the left and below allow various parameters to be set, and the display in the center progresses through time, allowing large-scale solar fields to be “mapped.” The time history of the fields is displayed in the two plots to the right of the interface. The white monitors also provide instantaneous values of various parameters to be displayed. There are two graphs on the right; the lower one labeled Plot A, displays the polar field variations. In it are three colored curves: blue, red, and black. The blue curve displays the amount and sign of the magnetic flux in the northern magnetic pole, namely, the mean field above 60 degrees latitude. The red curve, similarly counts the mean field in the Southern polar region. The black curve marks the Absolute Value Sum of the red and blue curves. So, this curve in black displays the amount of magnetic flux in the polar regions. It has been artificially placed 60 units downwards, for increased clarity, so 0 lies at the bottom of the graph. It essentially reaches a peak, during a solar cycle minimum. The very astute observer will observe a fourth black curve at the bottom of the graph. This last curve at the bottom of Plot A shows when the total polar field values reach a “peak.” This is taken as the start of a new cycle and is shown as a uniform tiny “blip” in this bottom curve. Thus one can count solar cycles with these blips. The second plot, towards the right of the display, is Plot B. It shows the mean latitude of all active regions born during a tick unit of time. In this manner one may observe the solar cycle “butterfly graph,” although only roughly, as the graph program does not average, and so forth.
