ROTATION RATES OF CORONAL HOLES AND THEIR PROBABLE ANCHORING DEPTHS

From 2001-2008, we use full-disk, SOHO/EIT 195 Å calibrated images to determine latitudinal and day-to-day variations of the rotation rates of coronal holes (CHs). We estimate the weighted average of heliographic coordinates such as latitude and longitude from the central meridian on the observed solar disk. For different latitude zones between 40° north and 40° south, we compute rotation rates and find that, irrespective of their area, the number of days observed on the solar disk, and their latitudes, CHs rotate rigidly. Combined for all the latitude zones, we also find that CHs rotate rigidly during their evolution history. In addition, for all latitude zones, CHs follow a rigid body rotation law during their first appearance. Interestingly, the average first rotation rate (∼438 nHz) of CHs, computed from their first appearance on the solar disk, matches the rotation rate of the solar interior only below the tachocline.