An investigation of the structure of coronal active regions

The temperature and density structure of a typical coronal active region is deduced from X-ray observations of several active regions. Observations of the limb transits of three regions from OSO-5 indicate that the X-ray emission originates between 2 × 10⁴ km and 1.5 × 10⁵ km. An emission measure-temperature distribution is deduced from high resolution X-ray spectra obtained with a rocket observation of two similar regions. These observations are combined to give a model of a typical active region, the temperature varying from 2 to 6 × 10⁶ K with corresponding densities between 2 × 10⁹ and 10¹⁰ cms^–3.     

Morphology and spatial distribution of XUV and X-ray emissions in an active region observed from Skylab

We studied the morphology and spatial distribution of loops in an active region, using coordinated observations obtained with both the S082A XUV spectroheliograph and the S056 grazingincidence X-ray telescope on Skylab. The active region loops in the temperature range 5 × 10⁵ –3 × 10⁶ K fall basically into two distinctive groups: the hot loops with temperatures 2–3 × 10⁶ K as observed in coronal lines and X-rays, and the relatively cool loops with temperature 5 × 10⁵ –1 × 10⁶ K as observed in transition-zone lines (Ne vii, Mg ix). The brightest hot coronal loops in the active region are mostly low-lying, compact, closely-packed, and show greater stability than the transition-zone loops, which are fewer in number, large, and slender. The observed aspect ratio of the hot coronal loops is in the range of 0.1 and 0.2, which are almost two orders of magnitude larger than those for the Ne vii loops. Brief discussion of the MHD stability of the loops in terms of the aspect ratio is presented.     

Soft X-ray enhancement during flares

The estimates of quiescent and flare time temperatures of soft X-ray emitting regions on the Sun are obtained for flares observed during March–August 1967 from X-ray observations in two soft X-ray bands, 2–12 Å (Explorer-33 data) and 8–12 Å (OSO-3 data). It is concluded that hot coronal condensation, originally at 2–3 × 10⁶ K, is raised to the temperature of about 4–5 × 10⁶ K and is responsible for soft X-ray enhancement.On leave from Physics Department, College of Engineering, Aurangabad, India.     

The XUV structure of solar active regions

XUV spectroheliograms of 2 active regions are studied. The images are due to lines emitted at temperatures between 8 x 10⁴ K and 2 x 10⁶ K and thus are indicative of transition region and coronal structures. The hot coronal lines are formed solely in loop structures which connect regions of opposite photospheric magnetic polarity but are not observed over sunspots. Transition region lines are emitted in plages overlying regions of intense photospheric magnetic field and in loops or loop-segments connecting such regions. The hot coronal loops are supported hydrostatically while only some of the transition zone loops are. The coronal and transition zone loops are distinctly separated and are not coaxial. A comparison of direct measurements of electron densities using density sensitive line ratios with indirect measurements using emission measures and path lengths shows the existence of fine structures of less than a second of arc in transition region loops. From a similar analysis, hot coronal loops do not have any fine structure below about 2 seconds of arc.     

Electron density and temperature structure of two limb active regions observed by SOHO-CDS

The analysis of two active regions on the limb using observations from SOHO-CDS allows us to determine the electron density and temperature distribution of the coronal emission. We find that the active regions have hot cores (3×10⁶ K) with larger cooler (10⁶ K) loop structures extending above the limb. The electron number density, determined using the Si X diagnostic line ratio, is found to be highest in the active region core (greater than 2.3×10⁹ cm^–3). Electron number density values are determined for a range of spectral lines from different ions and are found to increase with temperature between 0.8 and 2.5×10⁶ K. These results are consistent with recent models of enhanced heating along the compact core of active regions, where the magnetic field shear is strongest.     

Extreme ultraviolet spectra of solar active regions and their analysis

Extreme ultraviolet spectra of several active regions are presented and analyzed. Spectral intensities of 3 active regions observed with the NRL Skylab XUV spectroheliograph (170–630 Å) are derived. From this data density sensitive line ratios of Mg viii, Si x, S xii, Fe ix, Fe x, Fe xi, Fe xii, Fe xiii, Fe xiv, and Fe xv are examined and typically yield, to within a factor of 2, electron pressures of 1 dyne cm^–2 (n _e T = 6 × 10¹⁵ cm^–3 K). The differential emission measure of the brightest 35 × 35 portion of an active region is obtained between 1.4 × 10⁴ K and 5 × 10⁶ K from HCO OSO-VI XUV (280–1370 Å) spectra published by Dupree et al. (1973). Stigmatic EUV spectra (1170–1710 Å) obtained by the NRL High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS) are also presented. Doppler velocities as a function of position along the slit are derived in an active region plage and sunspot. The velocities are based on an absolute wavelength scale derived from neutral chromospheric lines and are accurate to ±2 km s^–1. Downflows at 10⁵ K are found throughout the plage with typical velocities of 10 km s^–1. In the sunspot, downflows are typically 5 to 20 km s^–1 over the umbra and zero over the penumbra. In addition localized 90 and 150 km s^–1 downflows are found in the umbra in the same 1 × 1 resolution elements which contain the lower velocity downflows. Spectral intensities and velocities in a typical plage 1 resolution element are derived. The velocities are greatest ( 10 km s^–1) at 10⁵ K with lower velocities at higher and lower temperatures. The differential emission measure between 1.3 × 10⁴ K and 2 × 10⁶ K is derived and is found to be comparable to that derived from the OSO-VI data. An electron pressure of 1.4 dynes cm^–2 (n _e T = 1.0 × 10¹⁶ cm^–3 K) is determined from pressure sensitive line ratios of Si iii, O iv, and N iv. From the data presented it is shown that convection plays a major role in determining the structure and dynamics of the active region transition zone and corona.     

Study of the June 30, 1973 trans-polar coronal hole

Radially and tangentially polarized pictures of the solar corona obtained near 4500 Å during the 30 June, 1973 solar total eclipse have been used to derive a model of a trans-polar coronal hole. The hole is identified by using OSO-7 EUV spectroheliograms. The line of sight coincides with the privileged plan of the hole over the N-polar region. A new method of absolute calibration is used. The Saito (1970) method is applied to determine the electron densities. Extrapolated values of densities down to the surface are lower than have ever been observed although derived hydrostatic temperatures are certainly not: N _e × 10⁷ cm^–3 and T = 2 × 10⁶ K. The morphological peculiarities of polar regions are considered.On leave from Institut d'Astrophysique, CNRS, Paris as NRC Research Associate.     

Large-Scale Structure of the Atmosphere of the Quiet Sun,Coronal Holes,and Plages as Deduced by Tomography Study

We present here the results of emission tomography studies, based on a new differential deconvolution method (DDM) of Laplace transform inversion, which we use for reconstruction of the coronal emission measure distributions in the quiet Sun, coronal holes and plage areas. Two methods are explored. The first method is based on the deconvolution of radioemission brightness spectra in a wide wavelength range (1 mm–100 cm) for temperature profile reconstructions from the corona to the deeper chromosphere. The second method uses radio brightness measurements in the cm–dm range to give a coronal column emission measure (EM).Our results are based on RATAN-600 observations in the range 2.0–32 cm supplemented by the data of other observatories during the period near minimum solar activity. This study gives results that agree with known estimates of the coronal EM values, but reveals the absence of any measurable quantities of EM in the transition temperature region 3 × 10⁴ –10⁵ K for all studied large-scale structures. The chromospheric temperature structure (T _e = 20,000–5800 K) is quite similar for all objects with extremely low-temperature gradients at deep layers.Some refraction effects were detected in the decimeter range for all Types of large-scale structures, which suggests the presence of dense and compact loops (up to N _e =(1–3)× 10⁹ cm^-3 number density) for the quiet-Sun coronal regions with temperature T _e > 5× 10^-5 K.     

Early evolution of an X-ray emitting solar active region

The birth and early evolution of a solar active region has been investigated using X-ray observations from the Lockheed Mapping X-Ray Heliometer on board the OSO-8 spacecraft. X-ray emission is observed within three hours of the first detection of H plage. At that time, a plasma temperature of 4 × 10⁶ K in a region having a density of the order of 10¹⁰ cm^–3 is inferred. During the fifty hours following birth almost continuous flares or flare-like X-ray bursts are superimposed on a monotonically increasing base level of X-ray emission produced by plasma with a temperature of the order 3 × 10⁶ K. If we assume that the X-rays result from heating due to dissipation of current systems or magnetic field reconnection, we conclude that flare-like X-ray emission soon after active region birth implies that the magnetic field probably emerges in a stressed or complex configuration.     

A comparison of three solar active regions based on their soft X-ray line spectra

A rocket-borne, collimated spectrometer has obtained the soft X-ray (1.0–2.2 nm) spectra of three solar active regions. The principal features of the spectra are described and are then used to determine the conditions in the active regions. An isothermal (single temperature) model is not able to describe the observed spectra so that a continuous distribution of emission measure with temperature is introduced.This distribution, based on that proposed by Chambe, is then used to investigate the structure of the active regions. Several simple models are considered. It is shown that each active region has a hot, dense core surrounded by a large outer volume through which the temperature and density fall until normal coronal conditions are reached.Two of the regions exhibited similar characteristics with the cores having electron densities 10¹⁰ cm^–3 and temperatures of at least 4 × 10⁶K. Even the third region, which was much less impressive and quite compact in H, appears to have had a small amount of this dense plasma in its central core.     

The coronal and transition region temperature structure of a solar active region

Using measurements of EUV and X-ray spectral lines we derive the differential emission measure vs electron temperature T from the transition region to the corona of an active region (10⁵ T <5 × 10⁶ K). The total emission measure and radiative losses are of order 3 × 10⁴⁸ cm^–3 and 4 × 10²⁶ ergss^–1 respectively. The emission measure at T > 10⁶ K (i.e. that mainly responsible for the X-ray emission) is about 75% of the total. We also examine the use of Mg x 625 Å as an indicator of coronal electron density. A set of theoretical energy balance models of coronal loops in which the loop divergence is a variable parameter is presented and compared with the observations. Particular attention is given to the limitations inherent in any such comparison.     

Solar soft X-ray flare spectra from OSO-4

Solar flare spectral data, covering the wavelength range 0.7–8.5 Å, are derived from the NRL Bragg crystal spectrometers aboard OSO-4. A detailed analysis of the soft X-ray spectra for the 3b flare of 16 November 1967 (2140 UT) is presented, and it is found that electron temperatures derived from continua and emission lines are compatible with a two or more component plasma, differing in temperature by 6–10 × 10⁶K.     

Energy balance in a magnetically confined coronal structure observed by OSO-7

A model of a coronal region of enhanced Fexv and Fexvi emission is developed and its energy balance is examined using extreme ultraviolet observations from OSO-7 together with calculations of possible force-free coronal magnetic field configurations. The coronal emissions overlying the photospheric boundary between regions of opposite magnetic polarity are found to be associated with generally non-potential (current-carrying) magnetic fields in the forms of arches with footpoints in regions of opposite polarity. The orientation of these arches relative to the neutral line changes with degree of ionization of the emitting ion (which we infer from our limb observations to be a function of height) and may be evidence of differing electric currents along various field lines. The appearance of a coronal arch, seen side-on, can conveniently be represented by a parabola and a detailed analysis (Appendix) shows this to be a realistic approximation that should be generally useful in analyzing two-dimensional pictures of coronal structures. Applying this analysis to the most prominent coronal region observed in the radiations of Fexv and Fexvi, we find a maximum in the electron temperature, T _e , of 2.6 × 10⁶K at the top of arches whose heights are 20000–40000 km and whose footpoints are separated by ≈ 100000 km. A temperature gradient of ▽T _e ≈5 × 10^-5K cm^-1 is found in this coronal structure. Radiative losses are typically fifteen times greater than conductive losses and the energy deposition required to maintain the coronal feature is nearly uniformly distributed along its length.     

Temperature structure of active regions deduced from the helium-like sulphur lines

Solar active-region temperatures have been determined from the full-Sun spectra of helium-like sulphur (Sxv) observed by the Bragg Crystal Spectrometer on board theYohkoh satellite. The average temperature deduced from Sxv is demonstrated to vary with the solar activity level: A temperature of 2.5 × 10⁶ K is derived from the spectra taken during low solar activity, similar to the general corona, while 4 × 10⁶ K is obtained during a higher activity phase. For the latter, the high-temperature tail of the differential emission measure of active regions is found most likely due to the superposition of numerous flare-like events (micro/nano-flares).     

The Balmer 9 and Balmer 11 lines of He ii in the Sun

We identify the Balmer 9 and 11 lines of He ii at 959 Å and 942 Å in solar spectra. These lines are produced mainly by recombination following photoionization of He ii by coronal XUV radiation. From analysis of the line intensities, we confirm the theoretical model of Avrett et al. (1976), who found that an appreciable amount of He⁺⁺ is present at temperatures of 1–2 × 10⁴ K and that the anomalously strong He ii 304 line is produced primarily by collisional excitation. We also confirm the suggestion of Kohl (1977) that the photoionization-recombination process is more important in active regions than in the quiet Sun, and we find that the 304 line is produced largely by recombination in solar flares.     

Solar wind heavy ions from flare-heated coronal plasma

Information concerning the coronal expansion is carried by solar wind heavy ions. Distinctly different energy-per-charge ion spectra are found in two classes of solar wind having the low kinetic temperatures necessary for E/q resolution of the ion species. Heavy ion spectra which can be resolved are most frequently observed in the low-speed interstream (IS) plasma found between high speed streams; the streams are thought to be coming from coronal holes. Although the sources of the IS plasma are uncertain, the heavy ion spectra found there contain identifiable peaks of O, Si, and Fe ions. Such spectra indicate that the IS ionization state of O is established in coronal gas at T 2.1 × 10⁶ K while that of Fe is frozen in farther out at 1.5 × 10⁶ K. On occasion anomalous spectra are found outside IS flows in solar wind with abnormally depressed local kinetic temperatures. The anomalous spectra contain Fe¹⁶⁺ ions, not usually found in IS flows, and the derived coronal freezing in temperatures are significantly higher; for two of the best cases values of 3.4 × 10⁶ K were found for the O ions and 2.9 × 10⁶ K for Fe ions. The coronal sources of some of these ionizationally hot flows are identified as solar flares. The appearance of abnormally depressed kinetic temperatures in solar wind coming from flare-heated coronal gas lends support to earlier speculation that flares can expel plasma enclosed in magnetic bottles or bubbles. In transit to 1 AU the gas is sufficiently isolated from the hot corona that it cools anomalously.The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory requests that the publisher identify this article as work performed under the auspices of the Department of Energy.By acceptance of this article, the publisher recognizes that the U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, royalty-free license to publish or reproduce the published form of this contribution, or to allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes.     

Nonthermal velocities in the solar transition zone observed with the high-resolution telescope and spectrograph

Data obtained during the first rocket flight of the NRL High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS) have been used to study nonthermal velocities for spectral lines primarily covering the temperature range 10⁴ to 2 × 10⁶ K. The high spectral and spatial resolution, combined with an enhanced dynamic intensity range of the reduced data, has enabled us to study the distribution of the nonthermal velocities for quiet and active regions. Average values of the nonthermal velocities peak at about 27 km s^–1 at 10⁵ K for the quiet regions, with a wide distribution of nonthermal velocities for each line. The active region nonthermal velocities have a narrower distribution which is weighted towards higher values. The SiIV and C IV line profiles are not well described by a single Gaussian, indicating that high-velocity components (above 30 km s^–1) are present in the quiet-Sun spectra. The radiative losses for all plasma above l0⁵ K have been calculated for the quiet Sun, an active region and a coronal hole. These have been compared with the acoustic wave flux inferred from the nonthermal line widths. There appears to be a sufficient flux of waves to heat these regions of the atmosphere.     

The solar corona above active regions: A comparison of extreme ultraviolet line emission with radio emission

The observation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission lines of Fe ix through Fe xvi made by Orbiting Solar Observatory-1 are discussed and applied to a study of the solar corona above active regions. Ultraviolet and radio emission are determined and compared for several levels of activity classified according to the type of sunspot group associated with the active region. Both radio emission and line radiation from Fe xvi, the highest stage of ionization of Fe observed, are observed to increase rapidly with the onset of activity and are most intense over an E-spot group early in the lifetime of the active region. As activity diminishes, radiation from Fe xv and Fe xvi becomes relatively more prominent. The observations imply that the coronal temperature reaches a maximum during the period of highest activity, as indicated by sunspot-group complexity and the occurrence of chromospheric flares. A maximum coronal electron temperature of 4.0 × 10⁶ °K is estimated when taking into account the mechanism of dielectronic recombination. Concurrently, the average coronal electron density increases by a factor of 10–12. Both electron temperature and density decrease as activity subsides. The coronal temperature above the remaining Ca ii plage is estimated to be 2.5–3.0 × 10⁶ °K after flare activity has ceased and sunspots have disappeared.     

Line width observation of Heii 4686 Å and Hei 4713 Å in the chromosphere

Line profiles of He ii 4686 Å and He i 4713 Å from active regions in the chromosphere were observed during the total solar eclipse of February 16, 1980, with a grazing incidence objective grating spectrograph. The Doppler width of the He i triplet line of 4713 Å increases with height and the average width is compatible with width of metallic and hydrogen lines, suggesting that the kinetic temperature of He i triplet emitting region is T 8000 K. This can only be explained by recombination after photo-ionization due to coronal UV radiation. The Doppler width of the Paschen line of He ii 4686 is, without any correction for the separation of subcomponents of the line nor non-thermal velocity, 18.4 km s^-1. This line width also shows a tendency to increase with height. After comparison with Doppler widths of He i 4713 and the EUV lines, and a necessary subtraction of non-thermal velocity, it is shown that this line is emitted in a 2 × 10⁴ K temperature region, which again supports the view that this line is emitted through the recombination process after photoionization due to coronal XUV radiation below 228 Å.     

Spatial and temporal variations of solar coronal loops

Skylab EUV observations of an active region near the solar limb were analyzed. Both cool (T < 10⁶ K) and hot (T > 10⁶ K) loops were observed in this region. For the hot loops the observed intensity variations were small, typically a few percent over a period of 30 min. The cool loops exhibited stronger variations, sometimes appearing and disappearing in 5 to 10 min. Most of the cool material observed in the loops appeared to be caused by the downward flow of coronal rain and by the upward ejection of chromospheric material in surges. The frequent EUV brightenings observed near the loop footpoints appear to have been produced by both in situ transient energy releases (e.g. subflares) and the infall/impact of coronal rain. The physical conditions in the loops (temperatures, densities, radiative and conducting cooling rates, cooling times) were determined. The mean energy required to balance the radiative and conductive cooling of the hot loops is approximately 3 × 10^–3 erg cm^–3 s^–1. One coronal heating mechanism that can account for the observed behavior of the EUV emission from McMath region 12634 is heating by the dissipation of fast mode MHD waves.