A first order analysis of variations of the limb darkening and the shapes for solar Fraunhofer lines

New center-to-limb measurements in FeI lines show changes in both the line profiles and the limb darkening curves that appear to be characteristic of many other solar lines. Here we seek the constraints placed on the atmospheric model by these effects. We find that in addition to a depth varying source function we must also allow the ratio of the continuous absorption coefficient to the total absorption coefficient to pass through a minimum in the mid-photosphere. Such an effect is consistent with inward increases of the Doppler width and damping constant in the upper photosphere and an inward increase of the ionization for both iron and hydrogen in the low photosphere.The National Center for Atmospheric Research and Kitt Peak National Observatory are sponsored by the National Science Foundation.