scholarly journals Magnetohydrodynamic calculation of the temperature and wind velocity profile of the solar transition region. Preliminary results.

2018 ◽  
Vol 145 ◽  
pp. 03009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todor M. Mishonov ◽  
Albert M. Varonov ◽  
Nedeltcho I. Zahariev ◽  
Rositsa V. Topchiyska ◽  
Boian V. Lazov ◽  
...  

The sharp almost step like increase the temperature in the transition region (TR) between chromosphere and solar corona is well-known from decades; for first time we are giving a detailed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) calculation of the height dependence of the temperature. The width of the transition region is evaluated by maximal value of the logarithmic derivative of the temperature. At fixed heating, only MHD can give such a narrow width and in such sense, even the qualitative agreement with the observational data, gives the final verdict what the heating mechanism of the solar corona is. Static profiles of the temperature and wind velocity are calculated for static frequency dependent spectral density of the incoming MHD waves; no time dependent computer simulations. At fixed spectral density of MHD waves, the MHD calculation predicts height dependence of the non-thermal broadening of spectral lines and its angular dependence. For illustration is used one dimensional approximation of completely ionized hydrogen plasma in weak magnetic field, but it is considered that the width of the TR is weakly dependent with respect of further elaboration. The analyzed MHD calculation is a numerical confirmation of the qualitative concept of self-induced opacity of the plasma with respect to MHD waves. The plasma viscosity strongly increases with the temperature. Heated by MHD waves, plasma increases the wave absorption and this positive feedback leads to further heating. The static temperature profile is a result of a self-consistent calculation of propagation of MHD wave through the static background of wind and temperature profile. The numerical method allows consideration of incoming MHD waves with an arbitrary spectral density. Further elaboration of the method are briefly discussed: influence of second viscosity in the chromospheric part of the TR, influence of the magnetic field on the coronal side of the TR and investigation of such type effects on the width of the TR.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zihao Yang ◽  
Christian Bethge ◽  
Hui Tian ◽  
Steven Tomczyk ◽  
Richard Morton ◽  
...  

<p>Magnetoseismology, a technique of magnetic field diagnostics based on observations of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves, has been widely used to estimate the field strengths of oscillating structures in the solar corona. However, previously magnetoseismology was mostly applied to occasionally occurring oscillation events, providing an estimate of only the average field strength or one-dimensional distribution of field strength along an oscillating structure. This restriction could be eliminated if we apply magnetoseismology to the pervasive propagating transverse MHD waves discovered with the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter (CoMP). Using several CoMP observations of the Fe XIII 1074.7 nm and 1079.8 nm spectral lines, we obtained maps of the plasma density and wave phase speed in the corona, which allow us to map both the strength and direction of the coronal magnetic field in the plane of sky. We also examined distributions of the electron density and magnetic field strength, and compared their variations with height in the quiet Sun and active regions. Such measurements could provide critical information to advance our understanding of the Sun's magnetism and the magnetic coupling of the whole solar atmosphere.</p>


2001 ◽  
Vol 203 ◽  
pp. 353-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Nakariakov

Recent discoveries of MHD wave motions in the solar corona done with EUV imaging telescopes onboard SOHO and TRACE provide an observational basis for the MHD seismology of the corona. Measuring the properties of MHD waves and oscillations (periods, wavelengths, amplitudes, temporal and spatial signatures), combined with theoretical modeling of the wave phenomena, allow us to determine values of the mean parameters of the corona (the magnetic field strength, transport coefficients, etc.). As an example, we consider post-flare decaying oscillations of loops, observed with TRACE (14th July 1998 at 12:55 UT). An analysis of the oscillations shows that they are quasi-harmonic, with a period of about 265 s, and quickly decaying with the decay time of about 14.5 min. The period of oscillations allows us to determine the Alfvén speed in the oscillating loop about 770 km/s. This value can be used for deduction of the value of the magnetic field in the loop (giving 10-30 G). The decay time, in the assumption that the decay is caused by viscous (or resistive) dissipation, gives us the Reynolds number of 105.3-6.1 (or the Lundquist number of 105.0-5.8).


2018 ◽  
Vol 614 ◽  
pp. A110 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Zacharias ◽  
V. H. Hansteen ◽  
J. Leenaarts ◽  
M. Carlsson ◽  
B. V. Gudiksen

Context. The measured average velocities in solar and stellar spectral lines formed at transition region temperatures have been difficult to interpret. The dominant redshifts observed in the lower transition region naturally leads to the question of how the upper layers of the solar (and stellar) atmosphere can be maintained. Likewise, no ready explanation has been made for the average blueshifts often found in upper transition region lines. However, realistic three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamics (3D rMHD) models of the solar atmosphere are able to reproduce the observed dominant line shifts and may thus hold the key to resolve these issues. Aims. These new 3D rMHD simulations aim to shed light on how mass flows between the chromosphere and corona and on how the coronal mass is maintained. These simulations give new insights into the coupling of various atmospheric layers and the origin of Doppler shifts in the solar transition region and corona. Methods. The passive tracer particles, so-called corks, allow the tracking of parcels of plasma over time and thus the study of changes in plasma temperature and velocity not only locally, but also in a co-moving frame. By following the trajectories of the corks, we can investigate mass and energy flows and understand the composition of the observed velocities. Results. Our findings show that most of the transition region mass is cooling. The preponderance of transition region redshifts in the model can be explained by the higher percentage of downflowing mass in the lower and middle transition region. The average upflows in the upper transition region can be explained by a combination of both stronger upflows than downflows and a higher percentage of upflowing mass. The most common combination at lower and middle transition region temperatures are corks that are cooling and traveling downward. For these corks, a strong correlation between the pressure gradient along the magnetic field line and the velocity along the magnetic field line has been observed, indicating a formation mechanism that is related to downward propagating pressure disturbances. Corks at upper transition region temperatures are subject to a rather slow and highly variable but continuous heating process. Conclusions. Corks are shown to be an essential tool in 3D rMHD models in order to study mass and energy flows. We have shown that most transition region plasma is cooling after having been heated slowly to upper transition region temperatures several minutes before. Downward propagating pressure disturbances are identified as one of the main mechanisms responsible for the observed redshifts at transition region temperatures.


1974 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 295-298
Author(s):  
A. H. Gabriel

The structure of the quiet solar atmosphere is dominated by effects due to the magnetic field distributions produced by field concentrations at the supergranual boundary regions. This effect has been studied by previous workers (Kopp and Kuperus, 1968, Kopp, 1972), and is also evident in the enhanced intensity at the SBR's of spectral lines formed in the upper chromosphere and transition region. An attempt is being made to evaluate the field distributions more precisely, taking into account the physical processes involved in the interactions between the field and plasma, and thereby to predict the intensity distributions expected for the EUV spectra. This work is not yet complete, but some important results can be foreseen.


2020 ◽  
Vol 643 ◽  
pp. A140
Author(s):  
H. Mészárosová ◽  
P. Gömöry

Aims. We study the physical properties and behaviour of the solar atmosphere during the GOES X1.6 solar flare on 2014 September 10. Methods. The steady plasma flows and the fast sausage MHD waves were analysed with the wavelet separation method. The magnetically coupled atmosphere and the forced magnetic field reconnection were studied with the help of the Vertical-Current Approximation Non-linear Force-Free Field code. Results. We studied a mechanism of MHD wave transfer from the photosphere without dissipation or reflection before reaching the corona and a mechanism of the wave energy distribution over the solar corona. We report a common behaviour of (extreme)ultraviolet steady plasma flows (speed of 15.3 → 10.9 km s−1) and fast sausage MHD waves (Alfvén speed of 13.7 → 10.3 km s−1 and characteristic periods of 1587 → 1607 s), propagating in cylindrical plasma waveguides of the individual atmospheric layers (photosphere → corona) observed by SDO/AIA/HMI and IRIS space instruments. A magnetically coupled solar atmosphere by a magnetic field flux tube above a sunspot umbra and a magnetic field reconnection forced by the waves were analysed. The solar seismology with trapped, leakage, and tunnelled modes of the waves, dissipating especially in the solar corona, is discussed with respect to its possible contribution to the outer atmosphere heating. Conclusions. We demonstrate that a dispersive nature of fast sausage MHD waves, which can easily generate the leaky and other modes propagating outside of their waveguide, and magnetic field flux tubes connecting the individual atmospheric layers can distribute the magnetic field energy across the active region. This mechanism can contribute to the coronal energy balance and to our knowledge on how the coronal heating is maintained.


2018 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. A32
Author(s):  
S. S. A. Silva ◽  
J. C. Santos ◽  
J. Büchner ◽  
M. V. Alves

Context. Heat flux is one of the main energy transport mechanisms in the weakly collisional plasma of the solar corona. There, rare binary collisions let hot electrons travel over long distances and influence other regions along magnetic field lines. Thus, the fully collisional heat flux models might not describe transport well enough since they consider only the local contribution of electrons. The heat flux in weakly collisional plasmas at high temperatures with large mean free paths has to consider the nonlocality of the energy transport in the frame of nonlocal models in order to treat energy balance in the solar atmosphere properly. Aims. We investigate the impact of nonlocal heat flux on the thermal evolution and dynamics of the solar atmosphere by implementing a nonlocal heat flux model in a 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the solar corona. Methods. We simulate the evolution of solar coronal plasma and magnetic fields considering both a local collision dominated and a nonlocal heat flux model. The initial magnetic field is obtained by a potential extrapolation of the observed line-of-sight magnetic field of AR11226. The system is perturbed by moving the plasma at the photosphere. We compared the simulated evolution of the solar atmosphere in its dependence on the heat flux model. Results. The main differences for the average temperature profiles were found in the upper chromosphere/transition region. In the nonlocal heat transport model case, thermal energy is transported more efficiently to the upper chromosphere and lower transition region and leads to an earlier heating of the lower atmosphere. As a consequence, the structure of the solar atmosphere is affected with the nonlocal simulations producing on average a smoother temperature profile and the transition region placed about 500 km higher. Using a nonlocal heat flux also leads to two times higher temperatures in some of the regions in the lower corona. Conclusions. The results of our 3D MHD simulations considering nonlocal heat transport supports the previous results of simpler 1D two-fluid simulations. They demonstrated that it is important to consider a nonlocal formulation for the heat flux when there is a strong energy deposit, like the one observed during flares, in the solar corona.


2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (2) ◽  
pp. 2018-2029
Author(s):  
Philip G Judge

ABSTRACT In the context of the solar atmosphere, we re-examine the role of neutral and ionized species in dissipating the ordered energy of intermediate-mode MHD waves into heat. We solve conservation equations for the hydrodynamics and for hydrogen and helium ionization stages, along closed tubes of magnetic field. First, we examine the evolution of coronal plasma under conditions where coronal heating has abruptly ceased. We find that cool (<105K) structures are formed lasting for several hours. MHD waves of modest amplitude can heat the plasma through ion–neutral collisions with sufficient energy rates to support the plasma against gravity. Then we examine a calculation starting from a cooler atmosphere. The calculation shows that warm (>104) K long (> several Mm) tubes of plasma arise by the same mechanism. We speculate on the relevance of these solutions to observe properties of the Sun and similar stars whose atmospheres are permeated with emerging magnetic fields and stirred by convection. Perhaps this elementary process might help to explain the presence of ‘cool loops’ in the solar transition region and the production of broad components of transition region lines. The production of ionized hydrogen from such a simple and perhaps inevitable mechanism may be an important step towards finding the more complex mechanisms needed to generate coronae with temperatures in excess of 106K, independent of a star’s metallicity.


1998 ◽  
Vol 185 ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
S. Parhi ◽  
B.P. Pandey ◽  
M. Goossens ◽  
G.S. Lakhina

The solar corona supports a variety of waves generated by convective upwelling motion in the photosphere. In order to explain the observed coronal temperature profile, resonant absorption of MHD waves by coronal plasma (Goossens et al, 1995) has been proposed as a possible candidate. The physical picture is that the footpoint motion in the photosphere constantly stirs the coronal plasma leading to the MHD wave generation which is then resonantly absorbed producing the enhanced heating of the corona. Here we consider the problem of MHD wave propagation in a twisted solar corona.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 559-564
Author(s):  
P. Ambrož ◽  
J. Sýkora

AbstractWe were successful in observing the solar corona during five solar eclipses (1973-1991). For the eclipse days the coronal magnetic field was calculated by extrapolation from the photosphere. Comparison of the observed and calculated coronal structures is carried out and some peculiarities of this comparison, related to the different phases of the solar cycle, are presented.


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