scholarly journals Observational Evidence for Small‐Scale Mixture of Weak and Strong Fields in the Quiet Sun

2004 ◽  
Vol 616 (1) ◽  
pp. 587-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Socas‐Navarro ◽  
B. W. Lites
Keyword(s):  
Observational Evidence ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Scale Mixture ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Strong Fields

scholarly journals Transient brightenings in the quiet Sun detected by ALMA at 3 mm

2020 ◽  
Vol 638 ◽  
pp. A62 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nindos ◽  
C. E. Alissandrakis ◽  
S. Patsourakos ◽  
T. S. Bastian
Keyword(s):  
Solar Atmosphere ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Chromosphere ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Brightness Temperatures ◽  
Weak Preference ◽  
Thermal Origin ◽  
First Time

Aims. We investigate transient brightenings, that is, weak, small-scale episodes of energy release, in the quiet solar chromosphere; these episodes can provide insights into the heating mechanism of the outer layers of the solar atmosphere. Methods. Using Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations, we performed the first systematic survey for quiet Sun transient brightenings at 3 mm. Our dataset included images of six 87″ × 87″ fields of view of the quiet Sun obtained with angular resolution of a few arcsec at a cadence of 2 s. The transient brightenings were detected as weak enhancements above the average intensity after we removed the effect of the p-mode oscillations. A similar analysis, over the same fields of view, was performed for simultaneous 304 and 1600 Å data obtained with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. Results. We detected 184 3 mm transient brightening events with brightness temperatures from 70 K to more than 500 K above backgrounds of ∼7200 − 7450 K. All events showed light curves with a gradual rise and fall, strongly suggesting a thermal origin. Their mean duration and maximum area were 51.1 s and 12.3 Mm2, respectively, with a weak preference of appearing at network boundaries rather than in cell interiors. Both parameters exhibited power-law behavior with indices of 2.35 and 2.71, respectively. Only a small fraction of ALMA events had either 304 or 1600 Å counterparts but the properties of these events were not significantly different from those of the general population except that they lacked their low-end energy values. The total thermal energies of the ALMA transient brightenings were between 1.5 × 1024 and 9.9 × 1025 erg and their frequency distribution versus energy was a power law with an index of 1.67 ± 0.05. We found that the power per unit area provided by the ALMA events could account for only 1% of the chromospheric radiative losses (10% of the coronal ones). Conclusions. We were able to detect, for the first time, a significant number of weak 3 mm quiet Sun transient brightenings. However, their energy budget falls short of meeting the requirements for the heating of the upper layers of the solar atmosphere and this conclusion does not change even if we use the least restrictive criteria possible for the detection of transient brightenings.

scholarly journals High Angular Resolution Stokes V Spectra in Penumbrae

1993 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 192-195
Author(s):  
J. Sánchez Almeida ◽  
V. Martínez Pillet ◽  
J. Trujillo Bueno ◽  
B.W. Lites
Keyword(s):  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Continuum Intensity

AbstractStokes I and V profiles of Fel 630.1 nm and Fel 630.2 nm observed in a sunspot with an angular resolution ≥0.5” are analyzed. We find asymmetric V-profiles whose shapes are in agreement with previous determinations having lower angular resolution (~5”). We also find a correlation between penumbral small scale variations of continuum intensity and velocity. Although it involves smaller velocities, such correlation resembles that existing in the quiet sun as a consequence of convection.

scholarly journals Emergence of small-scale magnetic flux in the quiet Sun

2020 ◽  
Vol 633 ◽  
pp. A67 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Kontogiannis ◽  
G. Tsiropoula ◽  
K. Tziotziou ◽  
C. Gontikakis ◽  
C. Kuckein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Coronal Emission ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Multi Wavelength ◽  
Modelling Studies

Context. We study the evolution of a small-scale emerging flux region (EFR) in the quiet Sun, from its emergence in the photosphere to its appearance in the corona and its decay. Aims. We track processes and phenomena that take place across all atmospheric layers; we explore their interrelations and compare our findings with those from recent numerical modelling studies. Methods. We used imaging as well as spectral and spectropolarimetric observations from a suite of space-borne and ground-based instruments. Results. The EFR appears in the quiet Sun next to the chromospheric network and shows all morphological characteristics predicted by numerical simulations. The total magnetic flux of the region exhibits distinct evolutionary phases, namely an initial subtle increase, a fast increase with a Co-temporal fast expansion of the region area, a more gradual increase, and a slow decay. During the initial stages, fine-scale G-band and Ca II H bright points coalesce, forming clusters of positive- and negative-polarity in a largely bipolar configuration. During the fast expansion, flux tubes make their way to the chromosphere, pushing aside the ambient magnetic field and producing pressure-driven absorption fronts that are visible as blueshifted chromospheric features. The connectivity of the quiet-Sun network gradually changes and part of the existing network forms new connections with the newly emerged bipole. A few minutes after the bipole has reached its maximum magnetic flux, the bipole brightens in soft X-rays forming a coronal bright point. The coronal emission exhibits episodic brightenings on top of a long smooth increase. These coronal brightenings are also associated with surge-like chromospheric features visible in Hα, which can be attributed to reconnection with adjacent small-scale magnetic fields and the ambient quiet-Sun magnetic field. Conclusions. The emergence of magnetic flux even at the smallest scales can be the driver of a series of energetic phenomena visible at various atmospheric heights and temperature regimes. Multi-wavelength observations reveal a wealth of mechanisms which produce diverse observable effects during the different evolutionary stages of these small-scale structures.

scholarly journals Why are CMEs large-scale coronal events: nature or nurture?

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 3077-3088 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. van Driel-Gesztelyi ◽  
G. D. R. Attrill ◽  
P. Démoulin ◽  
C. H. Mandrini ◽  
L. K. Harra
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Observational Evidence ◽  
Angular Width ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Apparent Contradiction ◽  
Lower Corona ◽  
Magnetic Structures ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Scale Response

Abstract. The apparent contradiction between small-scale source regions of, and large-scale coronal response to, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) has been a long-standing puzzle. For some, CMEs are considered to be inherently large-scale events – eruptions in which a number of flux systems participate in an unspecified manner, while others consider magnetic reconnection in special global topologies to be responsible for the large-scale response of the lower corona to CME events. Some of these ideas may indeed be correct in specific cases. However, what is the key element which makes CMEs large-scale? Observations show that the extent of the coronal disturbance matches the angular width of the CME – an important clue, which does not feature strongly in any of the above suggestions. We review observational evidence for the large-scale nature of CME source regions and find them lacking. Then we compare different ideas regarding how CMEs evolve to become large-scale. The large-scale magnetic topology plays an important role in this process. There is amounting evidence, however, that the key process is magnetic reconnection between the CME and other magnetic structures. We outline a CME evolution model, which is able to account for all the key observational signatures of large-scale CMEs and presents a clear picture how large portions of the Sun become constituents of the CME. In this model reconnection is driven by the expansion of the CME core resulting from an over-pressure relative to the pressure in the CME's surroundings. This implies that the extent of the lower coronal signatures match the final angular width of the CME.

scholarly journals Observations of Magnetic Features with the German Solar Telescopes at the Observatorio del Teide/Tenerife

1990 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
F. Kneer ◽  
D. Soltau ◽  
E. Wiehr
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Fine Structure ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Velocity Fluctuation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Field Variation ◽  
Magnetic Field Variation ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Magnetic Features ◽  
Solar Telescopes

The German solar facilities at the Obsrvatorio del Teide are described first. Then, a few examples of recent results from magnetic features are given: spatial variation and velocity fluctuation of small-scale magnetic fluxtubes in the quiet Sun, Evershed flow and magnetic field in connection with penumbral fine structure, and magnetic field variation in sunspot umbrae.

scholarly journals The influence of stratification upon small-scale convectively-driven dynamos

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S271) ◽  
pp. 197-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Bushby ◽  
Michael R. E. Proctor ◽  
Nigel O. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Magnetic Reynolds Number ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Quiet Sun ◽  
Electrically Conducting ◽  
Solar Observations ◽  
Electrically Conducting Fluid ◽  
Convective Motions

AbstractIn the quiet Sun, convective motions form a characteristic granular pattern, with broad upflows enclosed by a network of narrow downflows. Magnetic fields tend to accumulate in the intergranular lanes, forming localised flux concentrations. One of the most plausible explanations for the appearance of these quiet Sun magnetic features is that they are generated and maintained by dynamo action resulting from the local convective motions at the surface of the Sun. Motivated by this idea, we describe high resolution numerical simulations of nonlinear dynamo action in a (fully) compressible, non-rotating layer of electrically-conducting fluid. The dynamo properties depend crucially upon various aspects of the fluid. For example, the magnetic Reynolds number (Rm) determines the initial growth rate of the magnetic energy, as well as the final saturation level of the dynamo in the nonlinear regime. We focus particularly upon the ways in which the Rm-dependence of the dynamo is influenced by the level of stratification within the domain. Our results can be related, in a qualitative sense, to solar observations.

scholarly journals Solar activities observed with the New Vacuum Solar Telescope

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S320) ◽  
pp. 315-320
Author(s):  
Shuhong Yang ◽  
Jun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Flux Rope ◽  
Observational Evidence ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Telescope ◽  
New Name ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Filament Activation ◽  
First Time

AbstractBased on the New Vacuum Solar Telescope observations, some new results about the solar activities are obtained. (1) In the Hα line, a flux rope tracked by filament activation is detected for the first time. There may exist some mild heating during the filament activation. (2) The direct observations illustrate the mechanism of confined flares, i.e., the flares are triggered by magnetic reconnection between the emerging loops and the pre-existing loops and prevented from being eruptive by the overlying loops. (3) The solid observational evidence of magnetic reconnection between two sets of small-scale loops is reported. The successive slow reconnection changes the conditions around the reconnection area and leads to the rapid reconnection. (4) An ensemble of oscillating bright features rooted in a light bridge is observed and given a new name, light wall. The light wall oscillations may be due to the leakage of p-modes from below the photosphere.

scholarly journals Small-scale swirl events in the quiet Sun chromosphere

2009 ◽  
Vol 507 (1) ◽  
pp. L9-L12 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wedemeyer-Böhm ◽  
L. Rouppe van der Voort
Keyword(s):  
Small Scale ◽  
Quiet Sun
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