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Results for “Solar coronal heating”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Magnetohydrodynamic modeling of the solar corona

The ideal and resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model is used to examine the dynamics and structure of the solar corona. When the coronal magnetic field is deformed by photospheric flow it can evolve to states that become unstable to ideal MHD modes. The nonlinear evolution of these instabilities can lead to the generation of current sheets, field line reconnection, and energy release. The disruption of an arcade field and the kinking of coronal loops is described. The braiding of the large-scale coronal field by convective photospheric motions develops fine-scale structure in the magnetic field and leads to the development of intense current filaments. The resistive dissipation of these currents can provide an efficient coronal heating mechanism.

Mikic, Zoran↗
NASA NTRS1991

PW Vulpeculae - A nova with nearly solar abundances

Optical spectrophotometry of PW Vulpeculae is combined with ultraviolet data to estimate electron temperatures, densities, and abundances in the ejecta of this slow classical nova. The reddening, the distance, and the evolution of the ultraviolet spectrum are discussed. Abundances are nearly solar, with the exception of nitrogen, which is substantially higher. Although neon has been reported to be enhanced in several novae, it does not seem to be the case for PW Vul. Photoionization model calculations of the ejecta that give a reasonable match of the observed emission spectrum are presented. A strong featureless continuum shows that very hot, presumably shock-heated, gas plays a major role in determining the energetics of this nova. Emission from this hot gas is responsible for the ionization of the nebular gas. A calculation of the masses of both the hot coronal gas and the cooler nebular gas shows that the former may account for most of the mass of the ejecta.

Saizar, Pedro↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mass ejections

Observations and model simulations of solar mass ejection phenomena are examined in an investigation of flare processes. Consideration is given to Skylab and other observations of flare-associated sprays, eruptive prominences, surges and coronal transients, and to MHD, gas dynamic and magnetic loop models developed to account for them. Magnetic forces are found to confine spray material, which originates in preexisting active-region filaments, within steadily expanding loops, while surges follow unmoving, preexisting magnetic field lines. Simulations of effects of a sudden pressure pulse at the bottom of the corona are found to exhibit many characteristics of coronal transients associated with flares, and impulsive heating low in the chromosphere is found to be able to account for surges. The importance of the magnetic field as the ultimate source of energy which drives eruptive phenomena as well as flares is pointed out.

Rust, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Observational tests for nonequilibrium ionization in the solar corona

Nonequilibrium ionization may be produced by a variety of processes in the solar corona, for example, by mass flows through the large temperature gradients of the transition region or by impulsive heating and cooling. Any deviation from equilibrium ionization would have a strong effect on the radiation from the corona and on the interpretation of solar observations; hence, it is important to determine observational signatures of nonequilibrium. The temperature-sensitive line ratios can be used as such signatures. We examine the line ratios: C IV I(1548.2 A)/I(312.4 A), O IV I(789.4 A)/I(554.4 A), O V I(629.7 A)/I(172.2 A), O VI I(1031.9 A)/I(173.0 A) and O VI I(1031.9 A)/I(150.1 A). These line ratios are calculated for four coronal loop models that have a steady flow and that are known to have significant departures from equilibrium ionization. Our results indicate that, in general, nonequilibrium causes a considerable reduction in the line ratios, more than an order of magnitude in the downflowing leg of the loop model with the largest mass flows. We find that the C IV line ratio is the most sensitive to nonequilibrium. We discuss the implications of our results for observations, specifically, the observations expected from the upcoming SOHO mission.

Spadaro, D.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Very High Resolution Solar X-ray Imaging Using Diffractive Optics

This paper describes the development of X-ray diffractive optics for imaging solar flares with better than 0.1 arcsec angular resolution. X-ray images with this resolution of the greater than or equal to 10 MK plasma in solar active regions and solar flares would allow the cross-sectional area of magnetic loops to be resolved and the coronal flare energy release region itself to be probed. The objective of this work is to obtain X-ray images in the iron-line complex at 6.7 keV observed during solar flares with an angular resolution as fine as 0.1 arcsec - over an order of magnitude finer than is now possible. This line emission is from highly ionized iron atoms, primarily Fe xxv, in the hottest flare plasma at temperatures in excess of approximately equal to 10 MK. It provides information on the flare morphology, the iron abundance, and the distribution of the hot plasma. Studying how this plasma is heated to such high temperatures in such short times during solar flares is of critical importance in understanding these powerful transient events, one of the major objectives of solar physics.We describe the design, fabrication, and testing of phase zone plate X-ray lenses with focal lengths of approximately equal to 100 m at these energies that would be capable of achieving these objectives. We show how such lenses could be included on a two-spacecraft formation-flying mission with the lenses on the spacecraft closest to the Sun and an X-ray imaging array on the second spacecraft in the focal plane approximately equal to 100 m away. High resolution X-ray images could be obtained when the two spacecraft are aligned with the region of interest on the Sun. Requirements and constraints for the control of the two spacecraft are discussed together with the overall feasibility of such a formation-flying mission.

Dennis, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Multiscale Dynamics of Solar Magnetic Structures

Multiscale topological complexity of the solar magnetic field is among the primary factors controlling energy release in the corona, including associated processes in the photospheric and chromospheric boundaries.We present a new approach for analyzing multiscale behavior of the photospheric magnetic flux underlying these dynamics as depicted by a sequence of high-resolution solar magnetograms. The approach involves two basic processing steps: (1) identification of timing and location of magnetic flux origin and demise events (as defined by DeForest et al.) by tracking spatiotemporal evolution of unipolar and bipolar photospheric regions, and (2) analysis of collective behavior of the detected magnetic events using a generalized version of the Grassberger-Procaccia correlation integral algorithm. The scale-free nature of the developed algorithms makes it possible to characterize the dynamics of the photospheric network across a wide range of distances and relaxation times. Three types of photospheric conditions are considered to test the method: a quiet photosphere, a solar active region (NOAA 10365) in a quiescent non-flaring state, and the same active region during a period of M-class flares. The results obtained show (1) the presence of a topologically complex asymmetrically fragmented magnetic network in the quiet photosphere driven by meso- and supergranulation, (2) the formation of non-potential magnetic structures with complex polarity separation lines inside the active region, and (3) statistical signatures of canceling bipolar magnetic structures coinciding with flaring activity in the active region. Each of these effects can represent an unstable magnetic configuration acting as an energy source for coronal dissipation and heating.

Magnetic fields↗
NASA NTRS2017

Unravelling the Components of a Multi-Thermal Coronal Loop Using Magnetohydrodynamic Seismology

Coronal loops, constituting the basic building blocks of the active Sun, serve as primary targets to help understand the mechanisms responsible for maintaining multi-million Kelvin temperatures in the solar and stellar coronae. Despite significant advances in observations and theory, our knowledge on the fundamental properties of these structures is limited. Here, we present unprecedented observations of accelerating slow magnetoacoustic waves along a coronal loop that show differential propagation speeds in two distinct temperature channels, revealing the multi-stranded and multithermal nature of the loop. Utilizing the observed speeds and employing nonlinear force free magnetic field extrapolations, we derive the actual temperature variation along the loop in both channels, and thus are able to resolve two individual components of the multithermal loop for the first time. The obtained positive temperature gradients indicate uniform heating along the loop, rather than isolated foot point heating.

Prasad, S. Krishna↗
NASA NTRS1986

Astrophysics

The instrumentation, accomplishments and future activities in space astrophysics observations are explored. The Solrad, Orbiting Solar Observatory, Solar Maximum Mission, Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, Uhuru, HEAO-2, IRAS and ESA SAS spacecraft missions and data are summarized. Observations which identified the black hole in Cygnus-1 are described and known gravity-controlled phenomena in the universe are reviewed. Observations at different electromagnetic wavelengths and by particle detectors are outlined, and proposed gravity wave and neutrino detectors are discussed. The implications of the angular, spectral and temporal resolution, polarization, spectral range and observational limits of the instrumentation and data are considered. Current topics of interest in studies of the cosmic background radiation, distance scales, quasars and pulsars, star formation, and coronal heating are outlined. Finally, the design features and observational goals of the NASA Great Observatories space platforms are described.

Gilman, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

The quantitative properties of three soft X-ray flare kernels observed with the AS&E X-ray telescope on Skylab

The physical parameters for the kernels of three solar X-ray flare events have been deduced using photographic data from the S-054 X-ray telescope on Skylab as the primary data source and 1-8 and 8-20 A fluxes from Solrad 9 as the secondary data source. The kernels had diameters of about 5-7 seconds of arc and in two cases electron densities at least as high as 0.3 trillion per cu cm. The lifetimes of the kernels were 5-10 min. The presence of thermal conduction during the decay phases is used to argue: (1) that kernels are entire, not small portions of, coronal loop structures, and (2) that flare heating must continue during the decay phase. We suggest a simple geometric model to explain the role of kernels in flares in which kernels are identified with emerging flux regions.

Kahler, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Microflares and the Statistics of X-Ray Flares

This review surveys the statistics of solar X-ray flares, emphasising the new views that Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) has given us of the weaker events (the microflares). The new data reveal that these microflares strongly resemble more energetic events in most respects; they occur solely within active regions and exhibit high-temperature/nonthermal emissions in approximately the same proportion as major events. We discuss the distributions of flare parameters (e.g., peak flux) and how these parameters correlate, for instance via the Neupert effect. We also highlight the systematic biases involved in intercomparing data representing many decades of event magnitude. The intermittency of the flare/microflare occurrence, both in space and in time, argues that these discrete events do not explain general coronal heating, either in active regions or in the quiet Sun.

Hannah, I. G.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Patterns of Activity in A Global Model of A Solar Active Region

In this work we investigate the global activity patterns predicted from a model active region heated by distributions of nanoflares that have a range of frequencies. What differs is the average frequency of the distributions. The activity patterns are manifested in time lag maps of narrow-band instrument channel pairs. We combine hydrodynamic and forward modeling codes with a magnetic field extrapolation to create a model active region and apply the time lag method to synthetic observations. Our aim is not to reproduce a particular set of observations in detail, but to recover some typical properties and patterns observed in active regions. Our key findings are the following. (1) Cooling dominates the time lag signature and the time lags between the channel pairs are generally consistent with observed values. (2) Shorter coronal loops in the core cool more quickly than longer loops at the periphery. (3) All channel pairs show zero time lag when the line of sight passes through coronal loop footpoints. (4) There is strong evidence that plasma must be re-energized on a timescale comparable to the cooling timescale to reproduce the observed coronal activity, but it is likely that a relatively broad spectrum of heating frequencies are operating across active regions. (5) Due to their highly dynamic nature, we find nanoflare trains produce zero time lags along entire flux tubes in our model active region that are seen between the same channel pairs in observed active regions.

Bradshaw, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A slingshot model for solar flares

Recent observations of intense, impulsive gamma-ray and X-ray-emitting solar flares underline the suddenness of these events. The simultaneous emission of X-rays greater than 40 keV from electron bremsstrahlung and gamma-rays requiring several MeV protons shows that all particles must be accelerated in less than 5 s. This paper proposes a simple model to explain such events, using the energy stored in the stretched field lines of a coronal arch. When reconnection occurs at the top of the arch, field lines retract like stretched rubber bands, sweeping up plasma and acting like a piston or slingshot. When the slug of plasma caught in the magnetic fields strikes the photosphere, it deposits its considerable kinetic energy, heating and compressing the intruding slug. Ten slugs of 100 km radius striking the photosphere may account for the 10 to the 29th ergs radiation from loop flares.

Benford, Gregory↗
NASA NTRS1977

Multiple loop activations and continuous energy release in the solar flare of June 15, 1973

The spatial and temporal evolution of the high-temperature plasma in the solar flare of June 15, 1973, is studied using XUV spectroheliograms and X-ray filtergrams obtained from Skylab. The analysis focuses on the changing forms and brightness of Fe XXIII 263-A and Fe XXIV 255-A images. Temperatures and emission measures computed for different times during the flare are compared with those derived from Solrad-9 flux data, the electron temperature in the bright compact core of the Fe XXIV image is determined, and a coronal origin is suggested for this bright core. The observational evidence shows that the overall flare event involved a number of different preexisting loops and arches which were activated in succession. The activation and heating are found to have persisted well past the end of the burst phase, implying that the energy release did not end when the impulsive phase was over. The overall development of the flare is summarized on the basis of the observed order of appearance of the loops.

Widing, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The physics of solar prominences

The outstanding questions on the formation of quiescent prominences are discussed. One key issue is identified to be the formation of dips in coronal magnetic field lines. A model is presented which can account for such dipped field lines. The critical ingredients of the model are that the prominence magnetic field is a truly three dimensional structure with significant variation along the prominence length, and the magnetic field has strong shear concentrated at the photospheric neutral line. Simulations which demonstrate that these two features lead to dip formation and that the geometry of the dips are such that inverse polarity prominences can be explained are presented. Another key issue is identified to be the formation of prominence condensations on dipped field lines. It is argued that a spatially varying coronal heating rate which is maximum near the chromosphere explain these condensations.

Antiochos, Spiro K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Temperature dependence of the abundances of elements in solar He-3 rich events

The element abundances in solar He-3-rich events are observed to vary with the soft X-ray temperature of the parent flare. The observations are consistent with thermal collisional ionization of the elements to the equilibrium-charge states expected within the flare-heated plasma at (10-15) x 10 to the 6th K. Proposed photoionization mechanisms appear to be excluded. Rapid ionization of the ions requires that the heating occur sufficiently low in the corona that the electron density exceed about (1-5) x 10 to the 8th/cu cm. Heavy-element enhancements might be a signature of material processed in the flash phase of events in contrast to unheated ambient material accelerated by a coronal shock.

Reames, D. V.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Electrostatic waves in the bow shock at Uranus

Electrostatic emissions measured by the Voyager 2 plasma wave detector (PWS) during the inbound crossing of the Uranian bow shock are shown to differ in some aspects from the waves measured during bow shock crossings at Jupiter and Saturn. The wave amplitudes in the foot of the bow shock at Uranus are in general much lower than those detected at the other outer planets due to the unusually enhanced solar wind ion temperature during the crossing. This reduces the effectiveness of wave-particle interactions in heating the incoming electrons. Strong wave emissions are observed in the shock ramp that possibly arise from currents producing a Buneman mode instability. Plasma instrument (PLS) and magnetometer (MAG) measurements reveal a complicated shock structure reminiscent of computer simulations of high-Mach number shocks when the effects of anomalous resistivity are reduced, and are consistent with high ion temperatures restricting the growth of electrostatic waves.

Moses, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Avalanches and the distribution of solar flares

The solar coronal magnetic field is proposed to be in a self-organized critical state, thus explaining the observed power-law dependence of solar-flare-occurrence rate on flare size which extends over more than five orders of magnitude in peak flux. The physical picture that arises is that solar flares are avalanches of many small reconnection events, analogous to avalanches of sand in the models published by Bak and colleagues in 1987 and 1988. Flares of all sizes are manifestations of the same physical processes, where the size of a given flare is determined by the number of elementary reconnection events. The relation between small-scale processes and the statistics of global-flare properties which follows from the self-organized magnetic-field configuration provides a way to learn about the physics of the unobservable small-scale reconnection processes. A simple lattice-reconnection model is presented which is consistent with the observed flare statistics. The implications for coronal heating are discussed and some observational tests of this picture are given.

Lu, Edward T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Coronal holes, the height of the chromosphere, and the origin of spicules

Analysis of 650 microphotometric scans across the solar limb reveals that the H(alpha) chromosphere is slightly taller inside coronal holes than in quiet regions outside holes. The change in height occurs as a step at the hole boundaries; this suggests that the increase with latitude in the average height of spicules found by Lippincott and by Athay was the average result of upward steps at the polar hole boundaries rather than a gradual latitude trend. It is estimated that the power consumed by spicules is of the same order as that returning by conduction from the corona, but the bulk of the spicules (which sets the height of the chromosphere) shows almost no response. It is concluded that spicules are not caused by heat conduction from the corona but are driven from below, suggesting that spicules are more closely connected with the heating of the corona than with its cooling.

Rabin, D.↗