A Discussion on the physics of the solar atmosphere - Spectroscopic studies of the solar corona at x-ray wavelengths

The spatial distribution of the emission in several X-ray lines is discussed with emphasis on temperature dependence and association with active regions. New results are presented for the trio of helium-like O vii lines which demonstrate (1) a spatial variation in the density dependent forbidden to intersystem line ratio, and (2) a strong spatial variation in the intensity of the O vii resonance line relative to the optically forbidden transitions. The second effect appears to be caused by resonance scattering by material in the line of sight.

2000 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 443-444
Author(s):  
B. T. Welsch ◽  
D. W. Longcope

“Transient brightenings” (or “microflares”) regularly deposit 1027 ergs of energy in the solar corona, and account for perhaps 20% of the active corona's power (Shimizu 1995). We assume these events correspond to episodes of magnetic reconnection along magnetic separators in the solar corona. Using the techniques of magnetic charge topology, we model active region fields as arising from normally distributed collections of “magnetic charges”, point-like sources/sinks of flux (or field lines). Here, we present statistically determined separator (X-ray loop) lengths, derived from first principles. We are in the process of statistical calculations of heating rates due to reconnection events along many separators.


1994 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 159-171
Author(s):  
Ester Antonucci

The coronal features observed in X-ray emission, varying from the small-scale, short-lived bright points to the large-scale, long-lived coronal holes, are closely associated with the coronal magnetic field and its topology, and their variability depends strongly on the solar cycle. Here we discuss the spatial distribution of the coronal structures, the frequency distribution of the brightness variations in active regions, and the role of magnetic reconnection in determining the variability of the coronal features, on the basis of the new observations of the soft X-ray emission recently obtained with the Yohkoh satellite and the NIXT experiment.


1971 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 181-181
Author(s):  
L. W. Acton ◽  
R. C. Catura ◽  
J. L. Culhane ◽  
A. J. Meyerott

A rocket payload is being prepared for the purpose of examining the spatial distribution of line emission from two important ions, Ovii and Neix, in the solar corona. The payload will contain the following integrated set of instruments.(1) A pair of X-ray spectrometers utilizing KAP crystals of approximately 100 cm2 area.(2) An optical aspect camera with a 1 Å bandpass H-α filter to measure the location of the field of view of the X-ray systems on the sun through out the rocket flight.(3) A collimated proportional counter spectrometer operating in the 3 to 15 keV range.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 163-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Hiei

AbstractSolar coronal features seen in X-ray emission change on two different timescales: a) flare loops and transient brightenings in active regions show a rapid variability, b) quiet region loops are quasi-steady and change only slowly with time. This different time behavior has been analyzed on the basis of Yohkoh SXT observations and we report here on the results from our analysis, mainly focussing on quiet loop variability.


2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 213-220
Author(s):  
Richard Canfield ◽  
Alexei Pevtsov

AbstractObservations of the strength and spatial distribution of vector magnetic fields in active regions have revealed several fundamental properties of the twist of their magnetic fields. First, the handedness of this twist obeys a hemispheric rule: left-handed in the northern hemisphere, right-handed in the southern. Second, the rule is weak; active regions often disobey it. It is statistically valid only in a large ensemble. Third, the rule itself, and the amplitude of the scatter about the rule, are quantitatively consistent with twisting of fields by turbulence as flux tubes buoy up through the convection zone. Fourth, there is considerable spatial variation of twist within active regions. However, relaxation to a linear force-free state, which has been documented amply in laboratory plasmas, is not observed.


1975 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 109-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole Jordan

The structure of solar active regions derived from EUV and soft X-ray observations is reviewed. The methods by which the emission measure as a function of temperature can be interpreted are discussed. The models of density and temperature which can be made from a variety of combinations of the emission measure with information on the spatial distribution of material, are broadly consistent. They show that the plasma at low heights over the central parts of an active region is hotter and denser than that which extends to greater heights. It appears that much of the emitting material exists in the form of loop structures, presumably magnetically controlled flux tubes. Analytical relationships between the physically important parameters describing the properties of the active region at Te > 2 × 105 K are developed and discussed.


1968 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 404-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner M. Neupert

The observations of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission lines of Feix through Fe XVI made by OSO-I have been applied to a study of the solar corona above active regions. Ultraviolet and radio emission are determined for several levels of activity classified according to the type of sunspot group associated with the active region. Both radio emission and line radiation from Fe XVI, the highest stage of ionization of Fe observed, are observed to increase rapidly with the onset of activity and are most intense over an E spot group early in the lifetime of the active region. As activity diminishes, radiation from Fe XV and Fe XIV becomes relatively more prominent. Preliminary X-ray data from OSO-III obtained during a flare are introduced. These indicate that radiation from the highest stage of iron thus far observed, Fe XXV, reaches a maximum first in an X-ray burst and that maxima in lower stages of ionization follow, with delays from 2 to 15 min.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 431-434
Author(s):  
M. Minarovjech ◽  
M. Rybanský

AbstractThis paper deals with a possibility to use the ground-based method of observation in order to solve basic problems connected with the solar corona research. Namely:1.heating of the solar corona2.course of the global cycle in the corona3.rotation of the solar corona and development of active regions.There is stressed a possibility of high-time resolution of the coronal line photometer at Lomnický Peak coronal station, and use of the latter to obtain crucial observations.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
A. H. Gabriel

The development of the physics of the solar atmosphere during the last 50 years has been greatly influenced by the increasing capability of observations made from space. Access to images and spectra of the hotter plasma in the UV, XUV and X-ray regions provided a major advance over the few coronal forbidden lines seen in the visible and enabled the cooler chromospheric and photospheric plasma to be seen in its proper perspective, as part of a total system. In this way space observations have stimulated new and important advances, not only in space but also in ground-based observations and theoretical modelling, so that today we find a well-balanced harmony between the three techniques.


1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Gelfreikh

AbstractA review of methods of measuring magnetic fields in the solar corona using spectral-polarization observations at microwaves with high spatial resolution is presented. The methods are based on the theory of thermal bremsstrahlung, thermal cyclotron emission, propagation of radio waves in quasi-transverse magnetic field and Faraday rotation of the plane of polarization. The most explicit program of measurements of magnetic fields in the atmosphere of solar active regions has been carried out using radio observations performed on the large reflector radio telescope of the Russian Academy of Sciences — RATAN-600. This proved possible due to good wavelength coverage, multichannel spectrographs observations and high sensitivity to polarization of the instrument. Besides direct measurements of the strength of the magnetic fields in some cases the peculiar parameters of radio sources, such as very steep spectra and high brightness temperatures provide some information on a very complicated local structure of the coronal magnetic field. Of special interest are the results found from combined RATAN-600 and large antennas of aperture synthesis (VLA and WSRT), the latter giving more detailed information on twodimensional structure of radio sources. The bulk of the data obtained allows us to investigate themagnetospheresof the solar active regions as the space in the solar corona where the structures and physical processes are controlled both by the photospheric/underphotospheric currents and surrounding “quiet” corona.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document