Is the Solar Chromosphere Heated by Acoustic Waves?

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

11

Hydrodynamics, Shock Waves, Sun: Chromosphere, Sun: Oscillations

Scientific paper

Space observations with TRACE have measured only 10% of the energy flux required to heat the nonmagnetic part of the solar chromosphere and have thereby called into question the theory of chromospheric heating by acoustic waves. To explain the deficit in the measured flux, heating by processes related to the magnetic field and the limited spatial resolution of the space observations have been invoked. This paper argues that radiation emerging from the nonmagnetic chromosphere shows that the heating mechanism is dissipation of acoustic waves. The full energy flux required for acoustic heating of the chromosphere must therefore pass through the photosphere. The explanation of the missing flux by the limited spatial resolution of TRACE confirms the principle of the effect, but the test is preliminary since the hydrodynamic model on which the test is based has temperature fluctuations that far exceed those of the Sun. The shape of the acoustic spectrum observed with TRACE appears to support the theory of wave generation in the solar convection zone. But the low energy flux and the limited acoustic frequency range of the observations prevent a definitive conclusion.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Is the Solar Chromosphere Heated by Acoustic Waves? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Is the Solar Chromosphere Heated by Acoustic Waves?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Is the Solar Chromosphere Heated by Acoustic Waves? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1527433

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.