The shape of sunspots and activity cycles

Abstract The paper presents the results of the analysis of the geometric characteristics of sunspots for the period of 15-24 cycles of activity according to the data of Kislovodsk (1956-2021) and RGO (1918-1972). To study the shape of sunspots, we used the method of obtaining the average density of the distribution, as well as the average values of the ratio of the extent of the spots in latitude and longitude. The deviation of the shape of sunspots from the axisymmetric configuration is investigated. It was found that the spots, as a rule, have an ellipsoid shape, and the major axis of the ellipse, as a rule, is elongated along longitude and has a predominant slope to the equator, different in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The relationship between the shape of sunspots in the current cycle and the amplitude of the next cycle of activity is found. The greater the elongation of the spots along the longitude in the current cycle, the more powerful the next cycle of activity will be.