Synoptic charts of solar magnetic fields

Time-latitude and time-longitude distributions of solar surface magnetic fields are analyzed employing classical and modified synoptic charts. The equatorial branch in solar cycle 23 in the southern hemisphere lasted two years longer than its northern counterpart. The most remarkable finding is that in the present solar cycle a pole-ward migrating magnetic field branch is absent on the southern hemisphere, while on the northern one is well developed. This feature was not observed in previous solar cycles for the same period after cycles' onsets.