Self-consistent magnetohydrodynamic coronal hole flows

Magnetic fields are thought to play a crucial role in determining the dynamics and energetics of coronal hole flows. In this paper we investigate the possibility that the large scale structure of the magnetic field and plasma within a coronal hole may be determined from the effects of plasma-magnetic field interactions. The overall state is then governed by a complex balance of inertial, pressure gravitational and magnetic forces. Integration of the highly non-linear system of differential equations, which describe the plasma-magnetic field coupling, is made possible by employing a numerical iterative technique developed by Pneuman and Kopp (1971). The method of solution is modified and extended to describe thermally conductive plasma flow in coronal holes. We consider the features of a typical converged solution, representing the distribution of velocity, temperature, density and magnetic field strength within a coronal hole.     

Meterwave observations of a coronal hole

We present meterwave maps showing a coronal hole at 30.9, 50.0, and 73.8 MHz using the Clark Lake Radioheliograph in October 1984. The coronal hole seen against the disk at all three frequencies shows interesting similarities to, and significant differences from its optical signatures in He i l10830 spectroheliograms.Using the model of coronal holes by Dulk et al. (1977) we derive the electron density from the radio observations of the brightness temperature. The discrepancy between the density value derived from the Skylab EUV data and that computed from our radio data is even larger than in Dulk et al. 's comparison at similar and higher frequencies.     

Ion-cyclotron waves in solar coronal hole

We investigate the effect of the plume/interplume lane (PIPL) structure of the solar polar coronal hole (PCH) on the propagation characteristics of ion-cyclotron waves (ICW). The gradients of physical parameters determined by SOHO and TRACE satellites both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field are considered with the aim of determining how the efficiency of the ICR process varies along the PIPL structure of PCH. We construct a model based on the kinetic theory by using quasi-linear approximation. We solve the Vlasov equation for O VI ions and obtain the dispersion relation of ICW. The resonance process in the interplume lanes is much more effective than in the plumes, agreeing with the observations which show the source of fast solar wind is interplume lanes. The solution of the Vlasov equation in PIPL structure of PCH, the physical parameters of which display gradients along and perpendicular direction to the external magnetic field, is thus obtained in a more general form than the previous investigations.     

Short term evolution of coronal hole boundaries

In an examination of the evolution of coronal hole boundaries on a time scale of 1 day, we find that 38% of all the boundaries of coronal holes observed near central meridan passage during the Skylab period shifted in location by >1° heliocentric in 1 day. Of these boundary changes, 70% were on a scale 3 times the average supergranulation cell size. However, large-scale shifts in the boundary locations also occurred, which involved changes in the X-ray emission from these areas of the Sun. X-ray emitting structures on the borders of isolated and evolving holes were less clearly defined than those on the boundaries of well-established, elongated holes. There were generally more changes in the boundaries of the most rapidly evolving holes, but no simple relationship between the amount of change and the rate of hole growth or decay.Skylab Solar Workshop post-doctoral appointee 1975–1976. The Skylab Solar Workshops are sponsored by NASA and NSF and managed by the High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmosoheric Research.     

Cyclic variations of the polar coronal hole

The extension of the polar coronal holes has been studied for four cycles (1940–1978), using the observations of the corona line 530.3 nm. For about 7 years of each cycle, including sunspot minimum, the polar hole exists permanently and has a diameter of about 40° or even more. For about 3 years around sunspot maximum no polar hole does exist (Figure 5). The boundary of the hole is flanked at a distance of 10° by the polar zone of the corona and at one of 20° by that of the prominences. In the polar caps, so far they are occupied by the holes, polar photospheric faculae and the well-known plumes of the polar corona are found, and the polar crown of prominences, encircling the polar hole, is the belt where the reversal of the magnetic polarity takes place.     

The coronal structure of active regions

A four-parameter model which assumes a Gaussian dependence of both temperature and pressure on distance from center is used to fit the compact part of coronal active regions as observed in X-ray photographs from a rocket experiment. The four parameters are the maximum temperature T _M, the maximum pressure P _M= 2N_MkT_M, the width of the pressure distribution σ _P, and the width of the temperature distribution σ _T = α^1/2σ_P. The maximum temperature T _M ranges from 2.2 to 2.8 × 10⁶K, and the maximum density N _M from 2 to 9 × 10⁹cm^?3. The range of σ _P is from 2 to 4 × 10⁹ cm and that of α from 2 to 7.     

Inferences of plasma parameters from coronal hole observations

The temperature in the acceleration region of the solar wind remains one of the most elusive parameters to measure. Knowledge of the temperature as well as its gradient in the inner corona is fundamental for placing constraints on physical mechanisms thought to be responsible for the coronal heating process, as well as for understanding the flow properties of the solar wind. Estimates of the helium abundance is essential for understanding the puzzling behavior of heavier ions in the solar wind. As an illustration of the difficulties and uncertainties involved in the inferences of plasma parameters in the wolar wind acceleration region, The inference of electron temperature and helium abundance will be described. Prospects for future observations will be briefly discussed.     

Observation of a coronal hole at 85 GHz

A coronal hole was observed at 85 GHz(3.5 mm-) on November 24, 1970, when a spectacular coronal hole was observed in soft X-rays by AS&E. The millimeter counterpart of the hole is much weaker and less widespread than in X-rays. The brightness temperature inside the hole was in most places about 100–200 K lower than the mean brightness temperature of the Sun at 85 GHz.     

Determination and analysis of coronal hole radio spectra

Solar radio maps obtained by our group and others over a wide wavelength range (millimeter to meter) and over a considerable time span (1973–1978) have allowed us to compute the radio spectrum of an average coronal hole, i.e., the brightness temperature inside a coronal hole normalized by the brightness temperature of the quiet Sun outside the coronal hole measured at several different radio wavelengths. This radio spectrum can be used to obtain the changes of the quiet Sun atmosphere inside coronal holes and also as an additional check for coronal hole profiles obtained by other methods. Using a standard solar atmosphere and a computer program which included ray tracing, we have tried to reproduce the observed radio spectrum by computing brightness temperatures at many different wavelengths for a long series of modifications in the electron density, neutral particle density and temperature profiles of the standard solar atmosphere. This analysis indicates that inside an average coronal hole the following changes occur: the upper chromosphere expands by about 20% and its electron density and temperature decrease by about 10%. The transition zone experiences the largest change, expanding by a factor of about 6, its electron density decreases by a similar factor, and its temperature decreases by about 50%. Finally in the corona the electron density decreases by about 20% and the temperature by about 15%.     

Radio and EUV observations of a coronal hole

We present observations of a coronal hole made with the EUV spectroheliometer of the Harvard College aboard Skylab and with high resolution (2–4) radio telescopes at Culgoora and Fleurs Australia and Bonn, West Germany. We attempt to derive the density and temperature distributions in the transition region and inner corona from the combined observations. No one standard model can explain both sets of observations; characteristically, models based on EUV data yield higher radio brightnesses than are observed, while models based on radio data yield lower EUV line intensities than are observed. The discrepancy is essentially that the electron density inferred from the EUV data is about three times that inferred from the radio data.After examining several possible modifications of the standard models we suggest that the discrepancy would disappear if the abundances of the heavier elements were increased by about a factor of 10. Such increases could result from differential diffusion in the large temperature gradient of the transition region. We conclude therefore that models which incorporate thermal diffusion, as well as mass outflow and departures from ionization equilibrium, offer the greatest hope of reconciling the EUV and radio observations of coronal holes.     

Magnetic source regions of coronal mass ejections

The majority of flare activity arises in active regions which contain sunspots, while Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) activity can also originate from decaying active regions and even so-called quiet solar regions which contain a filament. Two classes of CME, namely flare-related CME events and CMEs associated with filament eruption are well reflected in the evolution of active regions. The presence of significant magnetic stresses in the source region is a necessary condition for CME. In young active regions magnetic stresses are increased mainly by twisted magnetic flux emergence and the resulting magnetic footpoint motions. In old, decayed active regions twist can be redistributed through cancellation events. All the CMEs are, nevertheless, caused by loss of equilibrium of the magnetic structure. With observational examples we show that the association of CME, flare and filament eruption depends on the characteristics of the source regions:

?the strength of the magnetic field, the amount of possible free energy storage,

?the small- and large-scale magnetic topology of the source region as well as its evolution (new flux emergence, photospheric motions, cancelling flux), and

?the mass loading of the configuration (effect of gravity). These examples are discussed in the framework of theoretical models.

     

Connection of coronal holes with active regions

We have determined two qualitative parameters for 643 coronal holes (CHs). Parameter A characterizes the magnetic-field variation in CHs depending on the height. Parameter B characterizes the connection between the magnetic field in a CH and the polar field at the photosphere level. A comparison of these parameters corresponding to CH with and without active regions (ARs) has led to the following conclusions: the formation of AR in CH is a frequent phenomenon, since the former exist in every other CH for at least 1 day; unlike the case of a CH without an AR, the configuration of the magnetic field above the CH with an AR often changes with the height: two out of three CHs have the opposite sign of the magnetic field in photosphere, as compared to the sign of the polar magnetic field; the areas of ARs in CHs do not differ from those for many other ARs outside of CHs.     

On the Electron density in a coronal hole

Electron density in a coronal hole is rediscussed using the new calculation for the Mgviii 436.62/430.47 density-sensitive theoretical line ratio and with the help of available observations.     

Observations of the birth of a small coronal hole

Using soft X-ray data from the S-054 X-ray spectrographic telescope aboard Skylab, we observed temporal changes in the emission structure of the X-ray corona associated with the birth of a small coronal hole. Designated as CH6, this coronal hole was born near the equator in a time interval less than 9 1/2 hr. By constructing a light curve for a point near the center of CH6, we observed a sudden 40% decrease in X-ray emission associated with the birth of this coronal hole. On a time scale of hours, the growth of CH6 in area proceeded faster than the average rate predicted by the diffusion of solar fields. The short term decay of CH6 followed the diffusive rate to within experimental uncertainty, On a time scale of one rotation, the subsequent development of CH6 was not consistent with steady growth at the average rate predicted by diffusion.Skylab Solar Workshop Post-Doctoral Appointee, 1975–1977. The Skylab Solar Workshops are sponsored by NASA and NSF and managed by the High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research.     

The magnetic and thermodynamical structure of a coronal hole

A nonpolytropic model of a polar coronal hole at 2 R R 5 R is constructed. Our main assumptions are: (1) the magnetic structure of the Sun can be described by a combination of dipole-like and radial fields; (2) in the magnetically dominated region [(v ²/2) < (B ²/8)] the influence of the outflow on the magnetic structure is negligible. The magnetic and thermodynamic structures are obtained by solving the force balance equation for plasma with the observationally derived electron density. Profiles of velocities in the acceleration regime are presented and the influence of the outflow on the thermodynamic structure of the solar corona above the polar region is discussed.This paper is the first part of a joint project of the Space Environment Laboratory, the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, and the High Altitude Observatory, NCAR. The second paper by Munro and Tzur is in preparation.Work done while at the Space Environment Laboratory, NOAA, ERL, Boulder, CO 80303, U.S.A.1982–83 Visiting Fellow at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, National Bureau of Standards and University of Colorado.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.Visitor at NCAR.     

An explanation of the observed differences between coronal holes and quiet coronal regions

The main differences between a coronal hole and quiet coronal regions are explained by a reduction of the thermal conduction coefficient by transverse components of the magnetic field in the transition region of quiet coronal regions.Calculations of minimum flux coronae show that if the flux of energy heating the corona is maintained constant while the thermal conductivity in the transition region is reduced, the coronal temperature, the pressure in the transition region and the corona, and the temperature gradient in the transition region all increase. At the same time the intensities of lines emitted from the transition region are almost unchanged. Thus all the main spectroscopically observed differences between coronal holes and quiet coronal regions are explained.The flux of energy heating the corona in both coronal holes and quiet coronal regions is 3.0 × 10⁵ erg cm^-2 s^-1.The energy lost from coronal holes by the high speed streams in the solar wind is not sufficient to explain the difference in the coronal temperature in coronal holes and quiet coronal regions. The most likely explanation of the high velocity streams in the solar wind associated with coronal holes is that of Durney and Hundhausen.     

Brightness distribution at the base of a coronal hole

A coronal hole was observed for three days of its passage near the central meridian of the Sun. Spectrograms containing strong lines of ionized calcium were obtained. The central intensities of the Ca II H, K, and λ849.8 nm lines in the region of the coronal hole and in the quiet-Sun region outside its boundaries were measured. Only the line profiles that were confidently identified as being undisturbed even by weak flocculi were selected. All profiles were averaged in each of the two chromospheric network components (network and cell), and the average profiles were calculated using all of the available data (network+cell). Small differences were found between the central intensities of the Ca II H and K lines inside and outside the coronal hole, with the hole being brighter than the quiet region. A detailed statistical analysis shows that these small differences are real at high confidence levels owing to the large sample sizes. A difference of the same sign is slightly noticeable in the infrared line, but its confidence level is less than 90%. The chromosphere in the coronal hole is brightened by the cell alone; in the network, the chromospheric foot of the coronal hole does not differ from the quiet region. Comparison with the results of other authors obtained from observations in higher atmospheric layers suggests that the network also contains a brightness peak that subsequently gives way to a characteristic depression, but it lies higher than that in the cell.     

Measuring electron density in coronal active regions

In order to study the electron density at the scale of the most encountered structures in coronal active regions a new multichannel coronagraph associated with a photoelectric spectrograph is now used at the Pic-du-Midi Observatory. In its quasi-routine mode this instrument, which is described in this paper, works with a 30 field aperture in a parallel manner with aK-polarimeter. On each observed region it obtains maps of intensities of the 3388, 10747, and 10798 Å emission lines due to Fexiii ion. Each measurement point is associated with a quasi-simultaneous image of the emission corona structures viewed in the light of the5303 Å line of Fexiv. Three examples of observations are given and the capabilities are discussed.Measuring electron density in coronal active regions. II A multichannel photoelectric coronagraph with a photo-electric spectrograph and a reflex monitor at5303 Å.LA du CNRS No. 040285.     

Measuring electron density in coronal active regions

The new coronameter described in this paper, now in service at Pic du Midi Observatory, has been designed for the study of coronal condensations with a 30 spatial resolution. The instrument associates measurements of the K-corona polarized light with simultaneous pictures of the coronal structures as seen in the light of the green emission line of Fe xiv (5303 Å). It has allowed us to engage in an extensive program of observation devoted to the study of electron density in active coronal regions. As an example we present results concerning a coronal condensation observed on 1980 February 15, which is some hours before the time of the India-Kenya total eclipse.L. A. du C.N.R.S. No. 040285.     

The source regions of solar coronal mass ejections

Knowledge of the origin of the solar coronal mass ejection (CME) may be crucial to our understanding of several active solar phenomena, such as flares, as well as to the structure and stability of the corona and the prediction of interplanetary disturbances. In recent years, two camps of opinion have emerged, based on the belief that CMEs either commonly originate from structures intimately linked to active regions or they originate from coronal hole regions. This present study investigates the locations of 95 CME events observed during 1984–1986 relative to coronal hole and active region features. We find no evidence to support the coronal hole hypothesis and many indications that active regions are indeed associated with the source regions of CMEs.