Observability of coronal heating processes

Abstract

The mechanisms that could possibly heat the corona are briefly reviewed with emphasis on their observability. Observing enhanced wave flux at footpoints of active regions would confirm wave heating. Observation of nonthermal electrons in tiny coronal events (nanoflares) would confirm dissipation of current sheets. Presence of large scale flows in coronal arcades would underline the importance of turbulent resistivity for coronal heating. A comparison of HeI absorption in quiet and active regions demonstrates the difficulty of interpreting data that connect chromospheric dynamics with coronal heating. Finally, the implications of the search for observations of coronal heating processes are mentioned.