The total photospheric motion field

Abstract

Brief consideration is given to the conception of the total photospheric motion field. A synthesis of the most thorough investigations is made and the radial (Vrad) and tangential (Vtg) components of the velocity amplitude of the total photospheric motion field are deduced. At depth logτ5 = −3.0 Vrad and Vtg have average values of 1.2 and 1.7 km s−1 respectively. They increase smoothly with depth and reach their maximum values of Vrad=3.0, Vtg=3.4 km s−1 at depths logτ5= −0.2 and logτ5 = +0.4 respectively. In the deep photospheric layers both components seem to decrease with depth.