The coronal streamer belt and the last two minima of activity of the sun

The structure of the streamer belt and the dynamics of mass ejections during the last two minima of solar activity in 1996–1997 and 2008–2009 are analyzed based on observations from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO). Certain features are revealed in the characteristics of the streamer belt in the last minimum between cycles 23 and 24 compared with the previous minimum between cycles 22 and 23 of solar activity. The connection is considered between the photospheric activity and sector structure of the global solar magnetic field with the topology and dynamics of the streamer belt. Models are briefly discussed that explain the observed phenomena. Data published in scientific journals and on the Internet are used.