Abstract
The Stokes components of He i D3 emission in two quiescent prominences, using full spectral profile measurements, are analyzed to derive vector magnetic fields. Two independently developed schemes, based on the Hanle effect, are used for interpretation. They involve solutions of the statistical equilibrium equations for the He i D3 multiplet, including the effect of coherency and full level crossing, which predict the magnetic field dependence of the observed polarization. Derived magnetic field vector solutions for each pair of linear polarization Stokes profiles corresponding to an observational point in the prominence are, intrinsically, not uniquely determined, and a set of possible solutions is usually obtained. However, mutual consistency of these solutions with those independently predicted by the form of the circular polarized component, allow, in almost all cases, rejection of all solutions of a set except one symmetrical pair. Of such a pair, a unique solution can be determined with a high confidence level by reference to independent potential field information. Field vectors are found usually to be close to horizontal and normal to the prominence surface, but extreme exceptions are found. Field values range from 6 G to 60 G. The derived vectorfield configurations and their magnitudes are briefly discussed relative to these prominences and to different quiescent prominence models.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Athay, R. C., Querfeld, C. W., Smartt, R. N., Degl'Innocenti, E. L., and Bommier, V.: 1983, Solar Phys. 89, 3.
Baur, T. G., House, L. L., and Hull, H. K.: 1980, Solar Phys. 65, 111.
Baur, T. G., Elmore, D. E., Lee, R. H., Querfeld, C. W., and Rogers, S. R.: 1981, Solar Phys. 70, 395.
Bevington, P. R.: 1969, Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Bommier, V.: 1977, thèse de 3e cycle, Paris VI University.
Bommier, V.: 1980, Astron. Astrophys. 87, 109.
Bommier, V. and Sahal-Brechot, S.: 1978, Astron. Astrophys. 69, 57.
Bommier, V., Leroy, J. L., and Sahal-Brechot, S.: 1981, Astron. Astrophys. 100, 231.
House, L. L. and Smartt, R. N.: 1979, IAU Colloq. 44, 81.
House, L. L. and Smartt, R. N.: 1982, Solar Phys. 80, 53 (Paper I).
Hyder, C. L.: 1964, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Colorado.
Hyder, C. L.: 1965, Astrophys. J. 141, 1374.
Kippenhahn, R. and Schlüter, A.: 1957, Z. Astrophys. 43, 36.
Landi Degl'Innocenti, E.: 1982, Solar Phys. 79, 291.
Leroy, J. L.: 1977, Astron. Astrophys. 60, 79.
Leroy, J. L.: 1978, Astron. Astrophys. 64, 247.
Leroy, J. L.: 1979, in E. Jensen, P. Maltby, and F. Q. Orrall (eds.), Physics of Solar Prominences, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, Oslo, p. 56.
Leroy, J. L., Ratier, G., and Bommier, V.: 1977, Astron. Astrophys. 54, 811.
Lyot, B.: 1937, Bull. Soc. Astr. France 51, 203.
Marquardt, D. W.: 1963, J. Soc. Ind. Appl. Math. 11, 431.
Rust, D. M.: 1972, Air Force Surveys in Geophysics, No. 237 (AFCRL-72-0048).
Sahal-Brechot, S., Bommier, V., and Leroy, J. L.: 1977, Astron. Astrophys. 59, 223.
Tandberg-Hanssen, E.: 1974, Solar Prominences, D. Reidel, Dordrecht.
Thiessen, G.: 1951, Z. Astrophys. 30, 8.
Warwick, J. W. and Hyder, C. L.: 1965, Astrophys. J. 141, 1362.
Zanstra, H.: 1950, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 110, 491.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Querfeld, C.W., Smartt, R.N., Bommier, V. et al. Vector magnetic fields in prominences. Sol Phys 96, 277–292 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149684
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149684