Solar Velocity Field Research Articles

Does the radial–tangential macroturbulence model adequately describe the spectral line broadening of solar-type stars?

Abstract In incorporating the effect of atmospheric turbulence in the broadening of spectral lines, the so-called radial–tangential macroturbulence (RTM) model has been widely used in the field of solar-type stars, which was devised from intuitive appearance of the granular velocity field of the Sun. Since this model assumes that turbulent motions are restricted to only radial and tangential directions, it has a special broadening function with notably narrow width due to the projection effect, the validity of which has not yet been confirmed in practice. With the aim of checking whether this RTM model adequately represents the actual solar photospheric velocity field, we carried out an extensive study on the non-thermal velocity dispersion along the line of sight (Vlos) by analyzing spectral lines at various points of the solar disk based on locally averaged as well as high-spatial-resolution spectra, and found the following results. First, the center-to-limb run of Vlos derived from ground-based low-resolution spectra is simply monotonic with a slightly increasing tendency, which contradicts the specific trend (an appreciable peak at θ ≃ 45°) predicted from RTM. Second, the Vlos values derived from a large number of spectra based on high-resolution space observation were revealed to follow a nearly normal distribution, without any sign of the peculiar distribution expected for the RTM case. These two observational facts indicate that the actual solar velocity field is not simply dichotomous as assumed in RTM, but directionally more chaotic. We thus conclude that RTM is not an adequate model, at least for solar-type stars, as it would significantly overestimate the turbulent velocity dispersion by a factor of ∼2. The classical Gaussian macroturbulence model should be more reasonable in this respect.

PROPAGATION OF GRAVITY WAVES IN A CONVECTIVE LAYER

We perform numerical simulations of gravity mode propagation in a convective layer to investigate the observed association between small spatial scales and low frequencies in the photospheric velocity fields. According to the linear theory, when the fluid layer is convectively unstable, gravity modes are evanescent waves. However, in simple two-dimensional numerical settings, we find that when the equilibrium structure is modified by coherent large-scale convective motions, the waves injected at the bottom of the layer are no longer evanescent. In this situation, gravity waves can be detected at the surface of the layer. In our simplified model the injected wave's frequency remains unchanged, but its amplitude has a spatial modulation determined by the convective structure. This result may explain some analyses done with the proper orthogonal decomposition method of the solar surface velocity field even though solar convection is far more complex than the convection model considered here.

双透射峰钠原子滤光器在太阳速度场观测中的应用

双透射峰钠原子滤光器在太阳速度场观测中的应用

VARIABILITY OF SURFACE FLOWS ON THE SUN AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR EXOPLANET DETECTION

The published Mount Wilson Doppler-shift measurements of the solar velocity field taken in 1967--1982 are revisited with a more accurate model, which includes two terms representing the meridional flow and three terms corresponding to the convective limb shift. Integration of the recomputed data over the visible hemisphere reveals significant variability of the net radial velocity at characteristic time scales of 0.1--10 years, with a standard deviation of 1.4 \ms. This result is supported by independent published observations. The implications for exoplanet detection include reduced sensitivity of the Doppler method to Earth-like planets in the habitable zone, and an elevated probability of false detections at periods of a few to several years.

Tracking granules on the Sun's surface and reconstructing velocity fields

Context: The determination of horizontal velocity fields at the solar surface is crucial to understanding the dynamics and magnetism of the convection zone of the sun. These measurements can be done by tracking granules. Aims: Tracking granules from ground-based observations, however, suffers from the Earth's atmospheric turbulence, which induces image distortion. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the influence of this noise on the maps of velocity fields. Methods: We use the coherent structure tracking algorithm developed recently and apply it to two independent series of images that contain the same solar signal. Results: We first show that a k-? filtering of the times series of images is highly recommended as a pre-processing to decrease the noise, while, in contrast, using destretching should be avoided. We also demonstrate that the lifetime of granules has a strong influence on the error bars of velocities and that a threshold on the lifetime should be imposed to minimize errors. Finally, although solar flow patterns are easily recognizable and image quality is very good, it turns out that a time sampling of two images every 21 s is not frequent enough, since image distortion still pollutes velocity fields at a 30% level on the 2500 km scale, i.e. the scale on which granules start to behave like passive scalars. Conclusions: The coherent structure tracking algorithm is a useful tool for noise control on the measurement of surface horizontal solar velocity fields when at least two independent series are available.

The Influence of the Evolution of Sunspot Groups on the Determination of the Solar Velocity Field

Meridional motions and differential rotation of stable recurrent sunspot groups from the Greenwich data set are investigated. Simple and complex, as well as younger and older sunspot groups are treated separately. There is no difference in behavior of the meridional motions for the simple and complex sunspot groups, while complex groups rotate faster than the simple ones. If we attribute the differences of rotational velocities to the errors in position determination, it can be concluded that the rotational velocities determined by using sunspot groups as tracers are slightly overestimated. Both the meridional motions and differential rotation show the same dependence on the age, when simple and complex recurrent sunspot groups are considered.

Vorticity and helicity of the solar supergranulation flow-field

Box simulations of rotating convection are presented with the aim to study the divergence-vorticity correlation C computed from the horizontal velocity components of the turbulent flow field. Our investigation is motivated by new observa- tions of the solar velocity field in the upper convection zone using the techniques of so-called time-distance helioseismology (Duvall et al. 1993). From such observations C can be derived directly and because of the close relation to the helicity it is an important quantity for solar dynamo theory. The divergence-vorticity correlation obtained from the simulations with Taylor number 10 3 is found to be in agreement with the observations of supergranulation. In particular, C vanishes at the equator and is negative (positive) in the northern (southern) hemisphere. For larger Taylor numbers the amplitude of C increases, which is con- sistent with the increase in strength of the Coriolis force acting on the turbulent flow. We also demonstrate that the correlation C and the kinetic helicity of the flow field have very similar spatial profiles. The observed values of C, therefore, yield a clear indication of the existence of negative (positive) kinetic helicity in the surface layers of the northern (southern) hemisphere.

Properties of the solar velocity field indicated by motions of coronal bright points

Full-disc solar images obtained with the Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) are used to analyse properties of the solar velocity field by tracing coronal bright points from June 4, 1998 to May 22, 1999. Rotation velocity residuals, meridional motions and their relationship are investigated. Zones of slow and fast rotation found in motions of coronal bright points are consistent with the pattern of torsional oscillations, indicating that the statistical velocity pattern of bright point motions reflects the large-scale plasma flows. A complex pattern of meridional motion is deduced: The equatorward flows are found to dominate at low (B 40 ◦ ) latitudes, whereas at mid-latitudes (B ≈ 10 ◦ −40 ◦ ) a poleward flow is inferred. The complete data set shows no significant correlation between rotation residuals and meridional motions. However, when a subsample of coronal bright points including only the structures (predominantly young bright points) is considered, a statistically significant correlation is found. On average, faster tracers show equatorward motion and the slower ones show poleward motion. Such a segregation is reflected in a statistically significant covariance of the rotation residuals and meridional velocities in the order of −1000 m 2 s −2 , revealing an equatorward transport of angular momentum. The negative value of the covariance is provided by the high velocity tail in the velocity distribution of point-like structures, representing less than 15% of the population. The latitude dependence of the covariance can be expressed as Q = −62 B + 200 m 2 s −2 covering the range B = 0 ◦ -60 ◦ .

Bias in velocity determinations from full-disk solar observations

Estimates for the global solar surface velocity field can be obtained from time series of full-disk solar images. However, bias is introduced by mistakes in the assumptions about the geometry of the observations, and by imperfections in the optical system. I investigate many sources of bias and determine their first-order influence on the measured velocity field (both the transverse and longitudinal components). Results are presented in analytical and pictorial form. By comparing bias velocities of unknown origin with the results, one may obtain clues to the cause of the bias.

Preliminary study of the evolution of solar magnetic structures and photospheric horizontal velocity fields

Abstract In October 1997, we made a coordinated observation of the solar photosphere and chromosphere at Hida observatory (Kyoto university, Japan) and at Teide observatory (Tenerife) over a 10 day. We obtained imaging data series continuously during 6 hr 45 min in G-band (4308 A) observed with the Domeless Solar Telescope (DST) at Hida on 24th October (effective FOV; 96″×99″). Additionally, in this observation, we simultaneously observed image series of the chromosphere during the latter 4 hr 10 min in H α line center and H α ±0.6 A. From these data set, we could detect that emerging flux tubes crossed the photosphere to the chromosphere and that ‘convective collapse’ phenomena appeared at the stage of the spot formation. Moreover, we confirmed that the lifetime of mesogranulation was about 4000 sec (70 min) from the temporal evolution of velocity patterns. We show here only a summary of these observations.

Local solar magnetic and velocity field development and related photospheric and chromospheric activity

We have compiled the results of our long-term studies of the local magnetic field and its activity development, derived from investigating sunspot group evolution, photoelectrically measured longitudinal magnetic and velocity fields, and measurements of sunspot proper motions. We estimate certain regularities according to which the magnetic and velocity fields, and photospheric, as well as chromospheric activities develop. We speculate about the physical background of such processes.

Fractal Flux Tubes of the Solar Magnetic Field

Abstract The small-scale solar magnetic field exceeding a given threshold forms a fractal set. A dimension of this fractal is found from magnetograms with varying linear resolution. The dimension depends on the value of the threshold magnetic field (multifractality). A simple dynamo model explaining the origin of the fractal magnetic structure is considered. The dynamo produces a magnetic field in the form of flux tubes with a fractal distribution of magnetic field across the tube. The observed dimension gives a possibility of estimating a degree of structuredness of the solar velocity field.

A multichannel birefringent filter

A birefringent filter with a large field of view and no additional polarization is discussed. It plays an important role in observing the solar monochromatic image and the solar vector magnetic field. It has only one channel. For simultaneous multichannel observations, the solar spectrograph is better than the birefringent filter. A suggestion was proposed to try to obtain a multichannel birefringent filter which will be used in a new telescope at the Huairou reservoir station of Beijing Observatory. By means of N polarizing beam splitters, (N+1) channels can be divided. In principle, any number of limitless channels can be obtained, thereby subdividing the whole solar spectrum. But since the space in a telescope is limited, the channels to be used are also limited. For the new telescope, 5 and 9 channels are being considered, and the spectral range is from lambda 3800A to lambda 7000A. Many lines are included in this range, for example, H, K, H beta, lambda lambda 5324A, 5250A, 6302A, H alpha, etc., and some of the lines are suited to measure solar velocity fields. According to the character of these lines, the half width of each channel is determined. Moreover, in some channels the solid polarizing Michelson interferometer is considered for measuring velocity field with a lm/s accuracy. The advantages of the filter and problems to be solved are listed.

Discrete subresolution structures in the solar transition zone

During operations on the Spacelab-2 Shuttle mission, the NRL High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS) recorded spectra of a variety of solar features in the 1200–1700 A wavelength region which contains spectral lines and continua well suited for investigating the temperature minimum, the chromosphere and transition zone. These data show that, at the highest spatial resolution, the transition zone spectra are broken up from a continuous intensity distribution along the slit into discrete emission elements. The average dimensions of these discrete transition zone structures is 2400 km along the slit, but an analysis of their emission measures and densities shows that the dimensions of the actual emitting volume is conciderably less. If these structures are modelled as an ensemble of subresolution filaments, we find that these filaments have typical radii of from 3 to 30 km and that the cross-sectional fill factor is in the range from 10−5 to 10−2. The transport of mass and energy through these transition zone structures is reduced by this same factor of 10−5 to 10−2 which has significant consequences for our understanding of the dynamics of the solar atmosphere. Because the HRTS transition zone line profiles are not broadened by resolved large-spatial-scale solar velocity fields, the line widths of the Civ lines have been analyzed. The average line width is 0.195 A (FWHM) and requires an average nonthermal velocity of 16 km s−1 (most-probable) or 19 km s−1 (root-mean-square) which is lower than previously observed values.

Solar magnetic and velocity-field measurements: new instrument concepts

Using a generalized Mueller calculus, a number of new instrument concepts for the recording of solar magnetic and velocity fields are treated: (1) Schemes for the simultaneous recording of all four Stokes parameters, in particular solutions requiring only one piezoelastic modulator, and systems using the beat frequencies of two modulators (to obtain compatibility with the slow readout rate of large array detectors). (2) A system using a solid polarizing Michelson interferometer in combination with broadband prefilters and piezoelastic modulators. (3) A white-light solar magnetometer, an instrument without any spectrally resolving element at all.

Torsional Oscillations of the Sun

AbstractA series of digitized synoptic observations of solar magnetic and velocity fields has been carried out at the Mount Wilson Observatory since 1967. In recent studies (Howard and LaBonte, 1980; LaBonte and Howard, 1981), the existence of slow, large-scale torsional (toroidal) oscillations of the Sun has been demonstrated. Two modes have been identified. The first is a travelling wave, symmetric about the equator, with wave number 2 per hemisphere. The pattern-alternately slower and faster than the average rotation–starts at the poles and drifts to the equator in an interval of 22 years. At any one latitude on the Sun, the period of the oscillation is 11 years, and the amplitude is 3 m s-1. The magnetic flux emergence that is seen as the solar cycle occurs on average at the latitude of one shear zone of this oscillation. The amplitude of the shear is quite constant from the polar latitudes to the equator. The other mode of torsional oscillation, superposed on the first mode, is a wave number 1 per hemisphere pattern consisting of faster than average rotation at high latitudes around solar maximum and faster than average rotation at low latitudes near solar minimum. The amplitude of the effect is about 5 m s1-. For the first mode, the close relationship in latitude between the activity-related magnetic flux eruption and the torsional shear zone suggests strongly that there is a close connection between these motions and the cycle mechanism. It has been suggested (Yoshimura, 1981; Schüssler, 1981) that the effect is caused by a subsurface Lorentz force wave resulting from the dynamo action of magnetic flux ropes. But, this seems unlikely because of the high latitudes at which the shear wave is seen to originate and the constancy of the magnitude of the shear throughout the life time of the wave.

Torsional oscillations of the Sun

A series of digitized synoptic observations of solar magnetic and velocity fields has been carried out at the Mount Wilson Observatory since 1967. In recent studies (Howard and LaBonte, 1980; LaBonte and Howard, 1981), the existence of slow, large-scale torsional (toroidal) oscillations of the Sun has been demonstrated. Two modes have been identified. The first is a travelling wave, symmetric about the equator, with wave number 2 per hemisphere. The pattern-alternately slower and faster than the average rotation-starts at the poles and drifts to the equator in an interval of 22 years. At any one latitude on the Sun, the period of the oscillation is 11 years, and the amplitude is 3 m s-1. The magnetic flux emergence that is seen as the solar cycle occurs on average at the latitude of one shear zone of this oscillation. The amplitude of the shear is quite constant from the polar latitudes to the equator. The other mode of torsional oscillation, superposed on the first mode, is a wave number 1 per hemisphere pattern consisting of faster than average rotation at high latitudes around solar maximum and faster than average rotation at low latitudes near solar minimum. The amplitude of the effect is about 5 m s-1. For the first mode, the close relationship in latitude between the activity-related magnetic flux eruption and the torsional shear zone suggests strongly that there is a close connection between these motions and the cycle mechanism. It has been suggested (Yoshimura, 1981; Schussler, 1981) that the effect is caused by a subsurface Lorentz force wave resulting from the dynamo action of magnetic flux ropes. But, this seems unlikely because of the high latitudes at which the shear wave is seen to originate and the constancy of the magnitude of the shear throughout the life time of the wave.

A two-dimensional solar spectrometer

A precise two-dimensional positioning device has been developed for use in conjunction with a resonant scattering spectrometer to study the spatial distribution of solar velocity fields. The principle of operation and constructional details are discussed and the experimental performance is evaluated. As an illustration of its use preliminary data obtained from a meridional scan are presented.

A two dimensional solar spectrometer

A precise two-dimensional positioning device has been developed for use in conjunction with a resonant scattering spectrometer to study the spatial distribution of solar velocity fields. The principle of operation and constructional details are discussed and the experimental performance is evaluated. As an illustration of its use preliminary data obtained from a meridional scan are presented.

The orientation of the solar rotation axis from Doppler velocity observations

Mt. Wilson observations of solar velocity fields have been examined for evidence that the rotation axis of the nonmagnetic gas at the solar surface is oriented differently than the axis found by Carrington (1863) from sunspot observations. No difference is found with an accuracy of 0°.15 in the angle of inclination of the axis to the ecliptic.