From the history of solar magnetic observations, we know that each sunspot cycle ends at high latitudes with the establishment of a new large-scale dipole-type field. Standard solar dynamo scenarios predict that the amplitude of this field generally determines the amplitude of the subsequent 11-year sunspot cycle. Furthermore, helioseismology shows that a new magnetic activity cycle begins at high latitudes near the bottom of the convective zone. Therefore, the accuracy of sunspot cycle prediction depends on knowledge of the spatial distribution and topology of the magnetic field in the polar regions, as well as knowledge of large-scale flows not only on the surface but also deep within the Sun. Thus, polar space missions can provide valuable information about the nature of the solar dynamo and the possibility of long-term solar cycle prediction.

Valery PIPIN博士是俄罗斯伊尔库茨克日地物理研究所太阳物理学部的首席科学家。其主要研究方向为太阳及其他恒星全球磁活动性与较差自转的本质机制，近期工作主要致力于天体物理发电机中的磁螺旋度研究，以及太阳与恒星发电机的非线性模型构建。

Dr.Valery PIPIN is the Leading scientist of Solar Physics Department of Institute solar-terrestrial physics, Irkutsk, Russia. The main research interest is the nature of global magnetic activity and differential rotation on the Sun and other stars. The latest work is devoted to study the magnetic helicity in astrophysical dynamos and development of nonlinear models of the solar and stellar dynamo.