VELOCITY STRUCTURES FROM SUNSPOT STATISTICS IN CYCLE-10 TO CYCLE-22-I- ROTATIONAL VELOCITY

Data from the whole era of modern sunspot observations (1853-1996) fro m four different sources is considered. We find that rotation is conti nuously changing, not only in the course of a cycle but also in a long er time period. We also find strong fluctuations in the equatorial rot ation in the course of a sunspot cycle which can be connected with the observed north/south asymmetry of rotation. The importance of age dep endence on rotation is emphasized, both for non-recurrent and recurren t sunspots as the slowing down of rotation along with the age is confi rmed.