The formation of a penumbra as observed with the German VTT and SoHO/MDI

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

6 pages, 4 figures, submitted to IAU S 273

Scientific paper

The generation of magnetic flux in the solar interior and its transport to the outer solar atmosphere will be in the focus of solar physics research for the next decades. One key-ingredient is the process of magnetic flux emergence into the solar photosphere, and the reorganization to form the magnetic phenomena of active regions like sunspots and pores. On July 4, 2009, we observed a region of emerging magnetic flux, in which a proto-spot without penumbra forms a penumbra within some 4.5 hours. This process is documented by multi-wavelength observations at the German VTT: (a) imaging, (b) data with high resolution and temporal cadence acquired in Fe I 617.3 nm with the 2D imaging spectropolarimter GFPI, and (c) scans with the slit based spectropolarimeter TIP in Fe I 1089.6 nm. MDI contiuum maps and magnetograms are used to follow the formation of the proto-spot, and the subsequent evolution of the entire active region. During the formation of the penumbra, the area and the magnetic flux of the spot increases. The additional magnetic flux is supplied by the adjacent region of emerging magnetic flux: As emerging bipole separate, the poles of the spot polarity migrate towards the spot, and finally merge with it. As more and more flux is accumulated, a penumbra forms. From inversions we infer maps for the magnetic field and the Doppler velocity (being constant along the line-of-sight). We calculate the magnetic flux of the forming spot and of the bipole footpoints that merge with the proto-spot. We witness the onset of the Evershed flow and the associated enhance of the field inclination as individual penumbral filaments form. Prior to the formation of individual penumbral sectors we detect the existence of 'counter' Evershed flows. These in-flows turn into the classical radial Evershed outflows as stable penumbra segments form.

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

The formation of a penumbra as observed with the German VTT and SoHO/MDI 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 The formation of a penumbra as observed with the German VTT and SoHO/MDI, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The formation of a penumbra as observed with the German VTT and SoHO/MDI will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-638601

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