Heating of the solar chromosphere by ionization pumping

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

8

Atmospheric Heating, Chromosphere, Compression Waves, Magnetohydrodynamic Waves, Solar Atmosphere, Energy Dissipation, Equations Of Motion, Gas Ionization, Hydrogen, Shock Waves, Solar Corona, Thermodynamics

Scientific paper

A new theory is proposed to explain the heating of the solar chromosphere, and possibly the corona, by the dissipation of hydrodynamic compression waves. The basis of the dissipative mechanism, here referred to as ionization pumping, is hysteresis caused by irreversible relaxation of the chromospheric medium to ionization equilibrium following pressure perturbations. In the middle chromosphere, where hydrogen is partially ionized, it is shown that ionization pumping will cause strong dissipation of waves whose periods are 200s or less. This could cause heating of the chromosphere sufficient to compensate for the radiative losses. The mechanism retains a high efficiency for waves of arbitrarily small amplitude and, thus, can be more efficient than shock dissipation for small perturbations in pressure. The formation of shocks therefore is not required for the dissipation of waves whose periods are several minutes or less.

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

Heating of the solar chromosphere by ionization pumping 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 Heating of the solar chromosphere by ionization pumping, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Heating of the solar chromosphere by ionization pumping will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1786306

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