On Solving the Coronal Heating Problem |
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Authors: | James A Klimchuk |
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Institution: | (1) Space Science Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | The question of what heats the solar corona remains one of the most important problems in astrophysics. Finding a definitive
solution involves a number of challenging steps, beginning with an identification of the energy source and ending with a prediction
of observable quantities that can be compared directly with actual observations. Critical intermediate steps include realistic
modeling of both the energy release process (the conversion of magnetic stress energy or wave energy into heat) and the response
of the plasma to the heating. A variety of difficult issues must be addressed: highly disparate spatial scales, physical connections
between the corona and lower atmosphere, complex microphysics, and variability and dynamics. Nearly all of the coronal heating
mechanisms that have been proposed produce heating that is impulsive from the perspective of elemental magnetic flux strands.
It is this perspective that must be adopted to understand how the plasma responds and radiates. In our opinion, the most promising
explanation offered so far is Parker's idea of nanoflares occurring in magnetic fields that become tangled by turbulent convection.
Exciting new developments include the identification of the “secondary instability” as the likely mechanism of energy release
and the demonstration that impulsive heating in sub-resolution strands can explain certain observed properties of coronal
loops that are otherwise very difficult to understand. Whatever the detailed mechanism of energy release, it is clear that
some form of magnetic reconnection must be occurring at significant altitudes in the corona (above the magnetic carpet), so
that the tangling does not increase indefinitely. This article outlines the key elements of a comprehensive strategy for solving
the coronal heating problem and warns of obstacles that must be overcome along the way. |
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