Facular Models, the K-Line, and Magnetic Fields

1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-264
Author(s):  
G. A. Chapman

Photospheric faculae are now believed to be closely associated with the small-scale solar magnetic field. In order to obtain reliable observations of solar magnetic fields, one needs to have a good description of faculae, which is presently lacking. The problem in obtaining good observational data is severe because faculae are usually not spatially resolved, particularly so in the case of spectroscopic observations. Proper use of spectroscopic observations also requires some knowledge of solar velocity fields and atomic physics in the case of a non LTE analysis. Many of these problems can be avoided by making use of the wings of the Ca II K-line. The wing of this line is unaffected by magnetic and velocity effects. The formation of the line has become increasingly well understood and most of the wing (with the exception of the inner 1 - 2 Å) is formed in LTE. The line is so strong that its formation spans the whole depth of the photosphere.

1993 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoxiang Ai

AbstractThe historical development of optical instruments for solar physics is outlined, from white light to unpolarized and polarized monochromatic light, to Stokes profiles and simultaneous fields of view, from points to lines, plane to cube. An evolutionary series and classificaton of instruments for the solar magnetic field is described. As a next step the 2-D real time polarizing spectrograph has been proposed. The planned instruments in China for measurements of solar magnetic and velocity fields are briefly introduced.


1971 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 76-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Smithson ◽  
R. B. Leighton

For many years solar magnetic fields have been measured by a variety of techniques, all of which exploit the Zeeman splitting of lines in the solar spectrum. One of these techniques (Leighton, 1959) involves a photographic subtraction of two monochromatic images to produce a picture of the Sun in which the line-of-sight component of the solar magnetic field appears as various shades of gray. In a magnetogram made by this method, zero field strength appears as neutral gray, while magnetic fields of one polarity or the other appear as lighter or darker areas, respectively. Figure 1 shows such a magnetogram.


1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-100
Author(s):  
S.K. Solanki

Considerable progress has been made during the last four years in the theoretical and empirical investigation of the small scale solar magnetic field and associated phenomena. Although the basic outlines established in the 1970s of the structure of the field, namely small fluxtubes or magnetic elements with kllogauss fields embedded in a relatively field free medium have survived, many of the details have changed and some of the large gaps in our knowlegde of these captivating structures have been filled. In the following we briefly outline some of the highlights.


1976 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 47-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Bumba

The characteristics of the large-scale distribution of the solar magnetic fields on the basis of a series of solar magnetic synoptic charts covering more than 15 years of observations are given. The major part of our information concerns the morphology and only some results deal with the kinematics of the field distribution. Results of averaged solar magnetic field fluxes and polarity reversal studies as well as of preliminary investigation of the very-low angular resolution magnetic measurements are given. The regular zonal and sectoral distribution of photospheric background fields, the different role or visibility of structures in both polarities is discussed. The reflection of both main types of the longitudinal distribution of large-scale solar background magnetic fields (the 27-day, the 28–29-day successions, the ‘supergiant’ structures) in the interplanetary magnetic field distribution is also considered.


1977 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Harvey

If the Sun is observed like a star, without spatial resolution, its magnetic field seldom exceeds 1 Gauss. But with high spatial resolution the field is seen to be largely concentrated into kG structures. Observations of the structure and dynamics of solar magnetic fields can therefore provide a guide to the nature of magnetic fields of other stars which cannot be resolved. Solar activity and the structure of the chromosphere and inner corona are intimately linked with magnetism and a complete understanding of these features often depends on magnetic field details. There are unsolved physical problems involving solar magnetic fields which have challenged many physicists. For example, confinement of small-scale fields in kG structures is a problem of current interest (Parker, 1976; Piddington, 1976; Spruit, 1976). Solar observers are no less challenged since the Sun presents us with a complicated magnetic field having a range of scales from global to less than the scale of our best observations as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3. This paper is a survey of observational techniques and results at the small-scale end of the spectrum of sizes in the solar photosphere. This topic has been frequently reviewed (e.g. Athay, 1976; Beckers, 1976; Deubner, 1975; Howard, 1972; Mullan, 1974; Severny, 1972; Stenflo, 1975) so that recent work is emphasized here.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 877-879
Author(s):  
J.-C. Vial

Excellent review papers have been presented in this session by S. Solanki (Manifestations of solar magnetic fields), K. Dere (Coronal Mass Ejections and interplanetary ejecta) and W. Droege (Particle acceleration by waves and fields) and the relevant texts can be found in this volume.The Joint Discussion benefited from three contributed papers: X-Ray/Radio network flares of the quiet Sun by A.O. Benz, S. Krucker, L.W. Acton, and T.S. Bastian (presented by A.O. Benz) Radio observations of coronal X-ray jets by M.R. Kundu


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 857-860
Author(s):  
S.K. Solanki

AbstractThe magnetism of the Sun manifests itself in innumerable ways, many of which constitute what is referred to as solar magnetic activity, while others are counted among the phenomena of the quiet Sun. After a brief overview of the structure of the solar magnetic field, a few examples of its manifestations are pointed out.


1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 1163-1170 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. CHAUHAN ◽  
U. C. PANDEY ◽  
S. DEV

Even though the standard solar model (SSM) has been very successful in predicting the thermal and nuclear evolution of the Sun, it does not throw enough light on solar magnetic activity. In the absence of a generally accepted theory of solar dynamo, various general arguments have been put forth to constrain solar magnetic fields. In the absence of reliable knowledge of solar magnetic fields from available astrophysical data, it may be worthwhile to constrain the solar magnetic fields from solar neutrino observations assuming Resonant Spin-Flavor Precession (RSFP) to be responsible for the solar neutrino deficit. The configuration of solar magnetic field derived in this work is in reasonably good agreement with the magnetic field distribution proposed by Akhmedov et al. (Sov. Phys. JETP68, 250 (1989)). However, the magnetic field distribution in the radiation zone used by Pulido (Phys. Rep.211, 167 (1992)) is ruled out. The magnitude of the magnetic field in the radiation and convective zones of the Sun are very sensitive to the value chosen for the neutrino magnetic moment. However, any change in the value of neutrino magnetic moment does not affect the magnetic field distribution as it only scales the magnetic field strength at different points by the same amount.


1971 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 547-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Newkirk

The general properties of large scale solar magnetic fields are reviewed. In order of size these are: (1) Active region, generally bipolar fields with a lifetime of about two solar rotations. These are characterized by fields of several hundred G and display differential rotation similar to that found for the photosphere. (2) UM regions which appear to be the remnants of active region fields dispersed by the action of supergranulation convection and distorted by differential rotation. These are characterized by fields of a few tens of gauss and have lifetimes of several solar rotations. (3) The polar fields which are built up over the solar cycle by the preferential migration of a given polarity towards the poles. The poloidal fields are of a few gauss in magnitude and reverse sign in about 22 yr. (4) The large scale sector fields. These appear closely related to the interplanetary sector structure, cover tens of degrees in longitude, and stretch across the equator with the same polarity. This pattern endures for periods of up to a year or more, is not distorted by differential rotation, and has a rotation period of about 27 days. The presence of these long enduring sector fields may be related to the phenomenon of active solar longitudes. The consequences of large scale fields are examined with particular emphasis on the effects displayed by the corona. Calculated magnetic field patterns in the corona are compared with the density structure of the corona with the conclusion that: (1) Small scale structures in the corona, such as rays, arches, and loops, reflect the shape of the field and appear as magnetic tubes of force preferentially filled with more coronal plasma than the background. (2) Coronal density enhancements appear over plages where the field strength and presumably the mechanical energy transport into the corona are higher than normal. (3) Coronal streamers form above the ‘neutral line’ between extended UM regions of opposite polarity. The role played by coronal magnetic fields in transient events is also discussed. Some examples are: (1) The location of Proton Flares in open, diverging configurations of the field. (2) The expulsion of ‘magnetic bottles’ into the interplanetary medium by solar flares. (3) The relation of Type IV radio bursts to the ambient field configuration. (4) The guiding of Type II burst exciters by the ambient magnetic field. (5) The magnetic connection between widely separated active regions which display correlated radio bursts.


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