Middle Chromosphere Research Articles

Viscous heating and instabilities in the partially ionized solar atmosphere

Abstract In weak magnetic fields (≲ 50 G), parallel and perpendicular viscosities, mainly from neutrals, may exceed magnetic diffusivities (Ohm, Hall, ambipolar) in the middle and upper chromosphere. Ion-driven gyroviscosity may dominate in the upper chromosphere and transition region. In strong fields (≳ 100 G), viscosities primarily exceed diffusivities in the upper chromosphere and transition region. Parallel and perpendicular viscosities, being similar in magnitude, dampen waves and potentially compete with ambipolar diffusion in plasma heating, potentially inhibiting Hall and ambipolar instabilities when equal. The perpendicular viscosity tensor has two components, ν1 and ν2, which differ slightly and show weak dependence on ion magnetization. Their differences, combined with shear, may destabilize waves, though magnetic diffusion introduces a cutoff for this instability. In configurations with a magnetic field B having vertical (bz = Bz/|B|) and azimuthal (by = By/|B|) components, and a wavevector k with radial ($\hat{k}_x=k_x/|{\bf k}|$) and vertical ($\hat{k}_z=k_z/|{\bf k}|$) components, parallel viscosity and Hall diffusion can generate the viscous-Hall instability. Gyroviscosity further destabilizes waves in the upper regions. These findings indicate that the solar atmosphere may experience various viscous instabilities, revealing complex interactions between viscosity, magnetic fields, and plasma dynamics across different atmospheric regions.

A magnetic reconnection model for the hot explosion with both ultraviolet and Hα wing emissions

Context. Ellerman bombs (EBs) with significant Hα wing emissions and ultraviolet bursts (UV bursts) with strong Si IV emissions are two kinds of small transient brightening events that occur in the low solar atmosphere. The statistical observational results indicate that about 20% of the UV bursts connect with EBs. While some promising models exist for the formation mechanism of colder EBs in conjunction with UV bursts, the topic remains an area of ongoing research and investigation. Aim. We numerically investigated the magnetic reconnection process between the emerging arch magnetic field and the lower atmospheric background magnetic field. We aim to find out if the hot UV emissions and much colder Hα wing emissions can both appear in the same reconnection process and how they are located in the reconnection region. Methods. The open-source code NIRVANA was applied to perform the 2.5D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation. We developed the related sub-codes to include the more realistic radiative cooling process for the photosphere and chromosphere and the time-dependent ionization degree of hydrogen. The initial background magnetic field is 600 G, and the emerged magnetic field in the solar atmosphere is of the same magnitude, meaning that it results in a low- β magnetic reconnection environment. We also used the radiative transfer code RH1.5D to synthesize the Si IV and Hα spectral line profiles based on the MHD simulation results. Results. Magnetic reconnection between emerged and background magnetic fields creates a thin, curved current sheet, which then leads to the formation of plasmoid instability and the nonuniform density distributions. Initially, the temperature is below 8000 K. As the current sheet becomes more vertical, denser plasmas are drained by gravity, and hotter plasmas above 20 000 K appear in regions with lower plasma density. The mix of hot tenuous and much cooler dense plasmas in the turbulent reconnection region can appear at about the same height, or even in the same plasmoid. Through the reconnection region, the synthesized Si IV emission intensity can reach above 106 erg s−1 sr−1 cm−2 Å−1 and the spectral line profile can be wider than 100 km s−1, the synthesized Hα line profile also show the similar characteristics of a typical EB. The turbulent current sheet is always in a dense plasma environment with an optical depth larger than 6.5 × 10−5 due to the emerged magnetic field pushing high-density plasmas upward. Conclusions. Our simulation results indicate that the cold EB and hot UV burst can both appear in the same reconnection process in the low chromosphere, the EB can either appear several minutes earlier than the UV burst, or they can simultaneously appear at the similar altitude in a turbulent reconnection region below the middle chromosphere.

Impulsively generated waves in two-fluid plasma in the solar chromosphere: Heating and generation of plasma outflows

Context. We present new insights into impulsively generated Alfvén and magneto-acoustic waves in the partially ionized two-fluid plasma of the solar atmosphere and their contribution to chromospheric heating and plasma outflows. Aims. Our study attempts to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for chromospheric heating and excitation of plasma outflows that may contribute to the generation of the solar wind in the upper atmospheric layers. The main aim of this work is to investigate the impulsively generated waves by taking into account two-fluid effects. These effects may alter the wave propagation leading to attenuation and collisional plasma heating. Methods. The two-fluid equations were solved by the JOint ANalytical Numerical Approach (JOANNA) code in a 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) framework to simulate the dynamics of the solar atmosphere. Here, electrons + ions (protons) and neutrals (hydrogen atoms) are treated as separate fluids, which are coupled via ion-neutral collisions. The latter acts as a dissipation mechanism for the energy carried by the waves in two-fluid plasma and may ultimately lead to the frictional heating of the partially ionized plasma. The waves in two-fluid plasma, which are launched from the top of the photosphere, are excited by perturbations induced by localized Gaussian pulses in the horizontal components of the ion and neutral velocities. Results. In the middle and upper chromosphere, a substantial fraction of the energy carried by large amplitude waves in the two-fluid plasma is dissipated in ion-neutral collisions, resulting in the thermalization of wave energy and generation of plasma outflows. We find that coupled Alfvén and magneto-acoustic waves are more effective in heating the chromosphere than magneto-acoustic waves. Conclusions. Large-amplitude waves in the two-fluid plasma may be responsible for heating the chromosphere. The net flow of ions is directed outward, leading to plasma outflows in the lower solar corona, which may contribute to the solar wind at higher altitudes The primary source of wave energy dissipation in the current paradigm comes from collisions between ions and neutrals.

Bridging High-density Electron Beam Coronal Transport and Deep Chromospheric Heating in Stellar Flares

The optical and near-ultraviolet (NUV) continuum radiation in M-dwarf flares is thought to be the impulsive response of the lower stellar atmosphere to magnetic energy release and electron acceleration at coronal altitudes. This radiation is sometimes interpreted as evidence of a thermal photospheric spectrum with T ≈ 104 K. However, calculations show that standard solar flare coronal electron beams lose their energy in a thick target of gas in the upper and middle chromosphere (log10 column mass/[g cm−2] ≲ −3). At larger beam injection fluxes, electric fields and instabilities are expected to further inhibit propagation to low altitudes. We show that recent numerical solutions of the time-dependent equations governing the power-law electrons and background coronal plasma (Langmuir and ion-acoustic) waves from Kontar et al. produce order-of-magnitude larger heating rates than those that occur in the deep chromosphere through standard solar flare electron beam power-law distributions. We demonstrate that the redistribution of beam energy above E ≳ 100 keV in this theory results in a local heating maximum that is similar to a radiative-hydrodynamic model with a large, low-energy cutoff and a hard power-law index. We use this semiempirical forward-modeling approach to produce opaque NUV and optical continua at gas temperatures T ≳ 12,000 K over the deep chromosphere with log10 column mass/[g cm−2] of −1.2 to −2.3. These models explain the color temperatures and Balmer jump strengths in high-cadence M-dwarf flare observations, and they clarify the relation among atmospheric, radiation, and optical color temperatures in stellar flares.

An evaluation of different recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in solar flares

Context. Radiative losses are an indispensable part of the numerical simulation of flares. Detailed calculations could be computationally expensive, especially in the chromosphere. There have been some approximate recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in flares, yet their feasibility in flare simulations needs further evaluation. Aims We aim to evaluate the performance of different recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in flare simulations. Methods. We compared the atmospheric structure and the line profiles in beam-heated flares calculated with detailed radiative losses and the approximate recipes. Results. Both the Gan & Fang (1990, ApJ, 358, 328; hereafter GF90) and Hong, J., et al. (2022, A&A, 661, A77) recipes provide acceptable total radiative losses compared with the detailed treatment, but there are discrepancies in the different atmospheric layers during the different evolutionary phases, which lead to misestimations of temperature and line intensity. The recipe of GF90 overestimates the coolings in the upper chromosphere greatly when the temperature exceeds 105 K, which also affects the flare evolution and the line asymmetries. Radiative heating in the middle chromosphere only functions in the initial stage and could be safely neglected. However, radiative heating from the Lyman continuum could dominate near the transition region.

Irregular Spatial Distributions of Spectral Line Parameters in the Middle Solar Chromosphere Revealed from Analysis of Solar Flash Mg i b 2 Spectra

This paper presents the analytical results of solar Mg i b 2 flash spectra, obtained by the prototype Fiber Arrayed Solar Optic Telescope in process of the 2013 Gabon total solar eclipse. The analysis reveals irregular distributions of the spectral line parameters like ratio of line source function to continuum one β, ratio of line emissivity to continuum emissivity ζ, ratio of the continuum opacity to the line opacity r 0, line center optical depth τ 0, the line width Δλ D , and the line-of-sight velocity v los, while the approximately spherical symmetry can be found in the maps of integrated line intensity and continuum intensity. These irregular distributions originate from those of line profile features like the maximum intensity, the line width and line center wavelength. It is also found from the recovered line center optical depth τ 0 that in the middle chromosphere, the optical depth is not small due to non-ignorable absorption and the long light path along the line-of-sight. Finally, we show that the excessive broadening of spectral lines can be due to co-existence of multiple radiative sources with different line-of-sight velocities unresolved in one detector pixel.

High-frequency Wave Power Observed in the Solar Chromosphere with IBIS and ALMA

Abstract We present observational constraints on the chromospheric heating contribution from acoustic waves with frequencies between 5 and 50 mHz. We use observations from the Dunn Solar Telescope in New Mexico, complemented with observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array collected on 2017 April 23. The properties of the power spectra of the various quantities are derived from the spectral lines of Ca ii 854.2 nm, H i 656.3 nm, and the millimeter continuum at 1.25 and 3 mm. At the observed frequencies, the diagnostics almost all show a power-law behavior, whose particulars (slope, peak, and white-noise floors) are correlated with the type of solar feature (internetwork, network, and plage). In order to disentangle the vertical versus transverse Alfvénic plasma motions, we examine two different fields of view: one near disk center, and the other close to the limb. To infer the acoustic flux in the middle chromosphere, we compare our observations with synthetic observables from the time-dependent radiative hydrodynamic RADYN code. Our findings show that acoustic waves carry up to about 1 kW m−2 of energy flux in the middle chromosphere, which is not enough to maintain the quiet chromosphere. This is in contrast to previous publications.

The Alfvénic nature of chromospheric swirls

Context.Observations show that small-scale vortical plasma motions are ubiquitous in the quiet solar atmosphere. They have received increasing attention in recent years because they are a viable candidate mechanism for the heating of the outer solar atmospheric layers. However, the true nature and the origin of these swirls, and their effective role in the energy transport, are still unclear.Aims.We investigate the evolution and origin of chromospheric swirls by analyzing numerical simulations of the quiet solar atmosphere. In particular, we are interested in finding their relation with magnetic field perturbations and in the processes driving their evolution.Methods.The radiative magnetohydrodynamic code CO5BOLD is used to perform realistic numerical simulations of a small portion of the solar atmosphere, ranging from the top layers of the convection zone to the middle chromosphere. For the analysis, the swirling strength criterion and its evolution equation are applied in order to identify vortical motions and to study their dynamics. As a new criterion, we introduce the magnetic swirling strength, which allows us to recognize torsional perturbations in the magnetic field.Results.We find a strong correlation between swirling strength and magnetic swirling strength, in particular in intense magnetic flux concentrations, which suggests a tight relation between vortical motions and torsional magnetic field perturbations. Furthermore, we find that swirls propagate upward with the local Alfvén speed as unidirectional swirls driven by magnetic tension forces alone. In the photosphere and low chromosphere, the rotation of the plasma co-occurs with a twist in the upwardly directed magnetic field that is in the opposite direction of the plasma flow. All together, these are clear characteristics of torsional Alfvén waves. Yet, the Alfvén wave is not oscillatory but takes the form of a unidirectional pulse. The novelty of the present work is that these Alfvén pulses naturally emerge from realistic numerical simulations of the solar atmosphere. We also find indications of an imbalance between the hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic baroclinic effects being at the origin of the swirls. At the base of the chromosphere, we find a mean net upwardly directed Poynting flux of 12.8 ± 6.5 kW m−2, which is mainly due to swirling motions. This energy flux is mostly associated with large and complex swirling structures, which we interpret as the superposition of various small-scale vortices.Conclusions.We conclude that the ubiquitous swirling events observed in numerical simulations are tightly correlated with perturbations of the magnetic field. At photospheric and chromospheric levels, they form Alfvén pulses that propagate upward and may contribute to chromospheric heating.

IRIS observations of chromospheric heating by acoustic waves in solar quiet and active regions

Aims. To study the heating of solar chromospheric magnetic and nonmagnetic regions by acoustic and magnetoacoustic waves, the deposited acoustic-energy flux derived from observations of strong chromospheric lines is compared with the total integrated radiative losses. Methods. A set of 23 quiet-Sun and weak-plage regions were observed in the Mg II k and h lines with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). The deposited acoustic-energy flux was derived from Doppler velocities observed at two different geometrical heights corresponding to the middle and upper chromosphere. A set of scaled nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium 1D hydrostatic semi-empirical models – obtained by fitting synthetic to observed line profiles – was applied to compute the radiative losses. The characteristics of observed waves were studied by means of a wavelet analysis. Results. Observed waves propagate upward at supersonic speed. In the quiet chromosphere, the deposited acoustic flux is sufficient to balance the radiative losses and maintain the semi-empirical temperatures in the layers under study. In the active-region chromosphere, the comparison shows that the contribution of acoustic-energy flux to the radiative losses is only 10−30%. Conclusions. Acoustic and magnetoacoustic waves play an important role in the chromospheric heating, depositing a main part of their energy in the chromosphere. Acoustic waves compensate for a substantial fraction of the chromospheric radiative losses in quiet regions. In active regions, their contribution is too small to balance the radiative losses and the chromosphere has to be heated by other mechanisms.

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATIONS OF K Ca II LINE PROFILE SHAPES IN DIFFERENT STRUCTURES OF THE SOLAR CHROMOSPHERE. II. DETERMINATION TECHNIQUE AND CORRELATION RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE K CA II LINE PARAMETERS FOR K1 AND K2 FEATURES

We have studied two regions located at the base of a coronal hole. For the K₁ intensity minima and K₂ peaks, which form between the upper photosphere and the lower chromosphere and in the lower chromosphere respectively, a number of Ca II line parameters have been computed. We have improved the determination technique for ∆λᴋ₁ᵥ and ∆λᴋ₁ᵣ, ∆λᴋ₂ᵥ and ∆λᴋ₂ᵣ line profile shifts, including certain cases when their direct determination was complicated. We have determined Iᴋ₁ᵥ, Iᴋ₁ᵣ, Iᴋ₂ᵥ, Iᴋ₂ᵣ intensities, K₁ minima and K₂ peaks separations SEPᴋ₁ = ∆λᴋ₁ᵣ – ∆λᴋ₁ᵥ, SEPᴋ₂ = ∆λᴋ₂ᵣ – ∆λᴋ₂ᵥ, respectively. We have constructed scatter plots and have computed correlation relationships between parameters relating to different levels of atmosphere.
 We have obtained the following results.
 The intensities observed in the lower and middle chromosphere are connected closer than intensities related to the upper photosphere and middle chromosphere.
 The structures with a stronger magnetic field are brighter at the upper photosphere and lower chromosphere levels as compared to the structures with a weaker magnetic field.
 K₁ minima separations are of greater value for the structures with a stronger magnetic field relative to the structures with a weaker magnetic field, whereas K₂ peaks separations demonstrate the opposite behavior. They are lower for the structures with a stronger magnetic field. It is true not only for the chosen structures belonging to quiet regions but also for the plage, though we need additional statistics for plages.
 The relation between shifts of K₁ minima and K₂ peak intensities for violet and red wings appeared to be weak. This may be due to the considerable contribution of random movements to the velocity field at the upper photosphere and lower chromosphere levels or due to different forming levels for the profile violet and red wings.

Пространственные и временные вариации формы контуров линии K Ca II в различных структурных образованиях солнечной хромосферы. II. Методика определения и корреляционные соотношения между параметрами линии для участков K₁ и K₂

We have studied two regions located at the base of a coronal hole. For the K₁ intensity minima and K₂ peaks, which form between the upper photosphere and the lower chromosphere and in the lower chromosphere respectively, a number of Ca II line parameters have been computed. We have improved the determination technique for ∆λᴋ₁ᵥ and ∆λᴋ₁ᵣ, ∆λᴋ₂ᵥ and ∆λᴋ₂ᵣ line profile shifts, including certain cases when their direct determination was complicated. We have determined Iᴋ₁ᵥ, Iᴋ₁ᵣ, Iᴋ₂ᵥ, Iᴋ₂ᵣ intensities, K₁ minima and K₂ peaks separations SEPᴋ₁ = ∆λᴋ₁ᵣ – ∆λᴋ₁ᵥ, SEPᴋ₂ = ∆λᴋ₂ᵣ – ∆λᴋ₂ᵥ, respectively. We have constructed scatter plots and have computed correlation relationships between parameters relating to different levels of atmosphere.
 We have obtained the following results.
 The intensities observed in the lower and middle chromosphere are connected closer than intensities related to the upper photosphere and middle chromosphere.
 The structures with a stronger magnetic field are brighter at the upper photosphere and lower chromosphere levels as compared to the structures with a weaker magnetic field.
 K₁ minima separations are of greater value for the structures with a stronger magnetic field relative to the structures with a weaker magnetic field, whereas K₂ peaks separations demonstrate the opposite behavior. They are lower for the structures with a stronger magnetic field. It is true not only for the chosen structures belonging to quiet regions but also for the plage, though we need additional statistics for plages.
 The relation between shifts of K₁ minima and K₂ peak intensities for violet and red wings appeared to be weak. This may be due to the considerable contribution of random movements to the velocity field at the upper photosphere and lower chromosphere levels or due to different forming levels for the profile violet and red wings.

Characterization of shock wave signatures at millimetre wavelengths from Bifrost simulations.

Observations at millimetre wavelengths provide a valuable tool to study the small-scale dynamics in the solar chromosphere. We evaluate the physical conditions of the atmosphere in the presence of a propagating shock wave and link that to the observable signatures in mm-wavelength radiation, providing valuable insights into the underlying physics of mm-wavelength observations. A realistic numerical simulation from the three-dimensional radiative magnetohydrodynamic code Bifrost is used to interpret changes in the atmosphere caused by shock wave propagation. High-cadence (1 s) time series of brightness temperature (Tb) maps are calculated with the Advanced Radiative Transfer code at the wavelengths 1.309 mm and 1.204 mm, which represents opposite sides of spectral band 6 of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). An example of shock wave propagation is presented. The brightness temperatures show a strong shock wave signature with large variation in formation height between approximately 0.7 and 1.4 Mm. The results demonstrate that millimetre brightness temperatures efficiently track upwardly propagating shock waves in the middle chromosphere. In addition, we show that the gradient of the brightness temperature between wavelengths within ALMA band 6 can potentially be used as a diagnostics tool in understanding the small-scale dynamics at the sampled layers. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'High-resolution wave dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere'.

Observational study of chromospheric heating by acoustic waves

Aims. Our aim is to investigate the role of acoustic and magneto-acoustic waves in heating the solar chromosphere. Observations in strong chromospheric lines are analyzed by comparing the deposited acoustic-energy flux with the total integrated radiative losses. Methods. Quiet-Sun and weak-plage regions were observed in the Ca II 854.2 nm and Hα lines with the Fast Imaging Solar Spectrograph (FISS) at the 1.6-m Goode Solar Telescope on 2019 October 3 and in the Hα and Hβ lines with the echelle spectrograph attached to the Vacuum Tower Telescope on 2018 December 11 and 2019 June 6. The deposited acoustic energy flux at frequencies up to 20 mHz was derived from Doppler velocities observed in line centers and wings. Radiative losses were computed by means of a set of scaled non-local thermodynamic equilibrium 1D hydrostatic semi-empirical models obtained by fitting synthetic to observed line profiles. Results. In the middle chromosphere (h = 1000–1400 km), the radiative losses can be fully balanced by the deposited acoustic energy flux in a quiet-Sun region. In the upper chromosphere (h > 1400 km), the deposited acoustic flux is small compared to the radiative losses in quiet as well as in plage regions. The crucial parameter determining the amount of deposited acoustic flux is the gas density at a given height. Conclusions. The acoustic energy flux is efficiently deposited in the middle chromosphere, where the density of gas is sufficiently high. About 90% of the available acoustic energy flux in the quiet-Sun region is deposited in these layers, and thus it is a major contributor to the radiative losses of the middle chromosphere. In the upper chromosphere, the deposited acoustic flux is too low, so that other heating mechanisms have to act to balance the radiative cooling.

On the Formation of Lyman β and the O i 1027 and 1028 Å Spectral Lines

Abstract We study the potential of Lyman β and the O i 1027 and 1028 Å spectral lines to help in understanding the properties of the chromosphere and transition region (TR). The oxygen transitions are located in the wing of Lyman β, which is a candidate spectral line for the solar missions Solar Orbiter/Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment and Solar-C (EUVST). We examine the general spectroscopic properties of the three transitions in the quiet Sun by synthesizing them assuming nonlocal thermal equilibrium and taking into account partial redistribution effects. We estimate the heights where the spectral lines are sensitive to the physical parameters, computing the response functions to temperature and velocity using a 1D semiempirical atmospheric model. We also synthesize the intensity spectrum using the 3D enhanced network simulation computed with the Bifrost code. The results indicate that Lyman β is sensitive to the temperature from the middle chromosphere to the TR, while it is mainly sensitive to the line-of-sight (LOS) velocity at the lower atmospheric layers, around 2000 km above the optical surface. The O i lines form lower in the middle chromosphere, being sensitive to the LOS velocities at heights lower than those covered by Lyman β. The spatial distribution of the intensity signals computed with the Bifrost atmosphere, as well as the inferred velocities from the line core Doppler shift, confirms the previous results. Therefore, these results indicate that the spectral window at 1025 Å contains several spectral lines that complement each other to seamlessly trace the thermal structure and gas dynamics from the middle chromosphere to the lower TR.

The penumbral solar filaments from the photosphere to the chromosphere

The magnetic field structure of sunspots above the photosphere remain poorly understood due to limitations in observations and the complexity of these atmospheric layers. In this regard, we studied the large isolated sunspot (70”× 80”) located in the active region NOAA 12546 with spectro-polarimetric measurements acquired along the Fe I 617.3 nm and Ca II 854.2 nm lines with the IBIS/DST instrument, under excellent seeing conditions lasting more than three hours. Using the Non Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium inversion code we inverted both line measurements simultaneously to retrieve the three-dimensional magnetic and thermal structure of the penumbral region from the bottom of the photosphere to the middle chromosphere. The analysis of data acquired at spectral ranges unexplored allow us to show clear evidence of the spine and intra-spine structure of the magnetic field at chromospheric heights. In particular, we found a peak-to-peak variations of the magnetic field strength and inclination of about 200 G and 10° chromospheric heights, respectively, and of about 300 G and 20° in the photosphere. We also investigated the structure of the magnetic field gradient in the penumbra along the vertical and azimuthal directions, confirming previous results reported in the literature from data taken at the spectral region of the He I 1083 nm triplet.

The Formation Height of Millimeter-wavelength Emission in the Solar Chromosphere

Abstract In the past few years, the ALMA radio telescope has become available for solar observations. ALMA diagnostics of the solar atmosphere are of high interest because of the theoretically expected linear relationship between the brightness temperature at millimeter wavelengths and the local gas temperature in the solar atmosphere. Key for the interpretation of solar ALMA observations is understanding where in the solar atmosphere the ALMA emission originates. Recent theoretical studies have suggested that ALMA bands at 1.2 (band 6) and 3 mm (band 3) form in the middle and upper chromosphere at significantly different heights. We study the formation of ALMA diagnostics using a 2.5D radiative MHD model that includes the effects of ion–neutral interactions (ambipolar diffusion) and nonequilibrium ionization of hydrogen and helium. Our results suggest that in active regions and network regions, observations at both wavelengths most often originate from similar heights in the upper chromosphere, contrary to previous results. Nonequilibrium ionization increases the opacity in the chromosphere so that ALMA mostly observes spicules and fibrils along the canopy fields. We combine these modeling results with observations from IRIS, SDO, and ALMA to suggest a new interpretation for the recently reported “dark chromospheric holes,” regions of very low temperatures in the chromosphere.

Chromospheric Heating by Acoustic Waves Compared to Radiative Cooling. II. Revised Grid of Models

Abstract Acoustic and magnetoacoustic waves are considered to be possible agents of chromospheric heating. We present a comparison of deposited acoustic energy flux with total integrated radiative losses in the middle chromosphere of the quiet Sun and a weak plage. The comparison is based on a consistent set of high-resolution observations acquired by the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer instrument in the Ca ii 854.2 nm line. The deposited acoustic-flux energy is derived from Doppler velocities observed in the line core and a set of 1737 non-local thermodynamic equilibrium 1D hydrostatic semi-empirical models, which also provide the radiative losses. The models are obtained by scaling the temperature and column mass of five initial models by Vernazza et al. (1981; VAL) B–F to get the best fit of synthetic to observed profiles. We find that the deposited acoustic-flux energy in the quiet-Sun chromosphere balances 30%–50% of the energy released by radiation. In the plage, it contributes by 50%–60% in locations with vertical magnetic field and 70%–90% in regions where the magnetic field is inclined more than 50° to the solar surface normal.

Semi-empirical model atmospheres for the chromosphere of the sunspot penumbra and umbral flashes

Context. The solar chromosphere and the lower transition region are believed to play a crucial role in the heating of the solar corona. Models that describe the chromosphere (and the lower transition region), accounting for its highly dynamic and structured character are, so far, found to be lacking. This is partly due to the breakdown of complete frequency redistribution (CRD) in the chromospheric layers and also because of the difficulty in obtaining complete sets of observations that adequately constrain the solar atmosphere at all relevant heights. Aims. We aim to obtain semi-empirical model atmospheres that reproduce the features of the Mg II h&k line profiles that sample the middle chromosphere with focus on a sunspot. Methods. We used spectropolarimetric observations of the Ca II 8542 Å spectra obtained with the Swedish 1 m Solar Telescope and used NICOLE inversions to obtain semi-empirical model atmospheres for different features in and around a sunspot. These were used to synthesize Mg II h&k spectra using the RH1.5D code, which we compared with observations taken with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). Results. Comparison of the synthetic profiles with IRIS observations reveals that there are several areas, especially in the penumbra of the sunspot, where most of the observed Mg II h&k profiles are very well reproduced. In addition, we find that supersonic hot down-flows, present in our collection of models in the umbra, lead to synthetic profiles that agree well with the IRIS Mg II h&k profiles, with the exception of the line core. Conclusions. We put forward and make available four semi-empirical model atmospheres. Two for the penumbra, reflecting the range of temperatures obtained for the chromosphere, one for umbral flashes, and a model representative of the quiet surroundings of a sunspot.

The 3D structure of the penumbra at high resolution from the bottom of the photosphere to the middle chromosphere

AbstractSunspots are the most prominent feature of the solar magnetism in the photosphere. Although they have been widely investigated in the past, their structure remains poorly understood. Indeed, due to limitations in observations and the complexity of the magnetic field estimation at chromospheric heights, the magnetic field structure of sunspot above the photosphere is still uncertain. Improving the present knowledge of sunspot is important in solar and stellar physics, since spot generation is seen not only on the Sun, but also on other solar-type stars. In this regard, we studied a large, isolated sunspot with spectro-polarimeteric measurements that were acquired at the Fe I 6173 nm and Ca II 8542 nm lines by the spectropolarimeter IBIS/DST under excellent seeing conditions lasting more than three hours. Using the Non-LTE inversion code NICOLE, we inverted both line measurements simultaneously, to retrieve the three-dimensional magnetic and thermal structure of the penumbral region from the bottom of the photosphere to the middle chromosphere. Our analysis of data acquired at spectral ranges unexplored in previous studies shows clear spine and intra-spine structure of the penumbral magnetic field at chromopheric heights. Our investigation of the magnetic field gradient in the penumbra along the vertical and azimuthal directions confirms results reported in the literature from analysis of data taken at the spectral region of the He I 1083 nm triplet.

Height Dependence of the Penumbral Fine-scale Structure in the Inner Solar Atmosphere

Abstract We studied the physical parameters of the penumbra in a large and fully developed sunspot, one of the largest over the last two solar cycles, by using full-Stokes measurements taken at the photospheric Fe i 617.3 nm and chromospheric Ca ii 854.2 nm lines with the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer. Inverting measurements with the Non-LTE inversion COde (NICOLE) code, we obtained the three-dimensional structure of the magnetic field in the penumbra from the bottom of the photosphere up to the middle chromosphere. We analyzed the azimuthal and vertical gradient of the magnetic field strength and inclination. Our results provide new insights on the properties of the penumbral magnetic fields in the chromosphere at atmospheric heights unexplored in previous studies. We found signatures of the small-scale spine and intraspine structure of both the magnetic field strength and inclination at all investigated atmospheric heights. In particular, we report typical peak-to-peak variations of the field strength and inclination of ≈300 G and ≈20°, respectively, in the photosphere, and of ≈200 G and ≈10° in the chromosphere. In addition, we estimated the vertical gradient of the magnetic field strength in the studied penumbra: we find a value of ≈0.3 G km−1 between the photosphere and the middle chromosphere. Interestingly, the photospheric magnetic field gradient changes sign from negative in the inner to positive in the outer penumbra.