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Alfvén waves and the sunspot phenomenon

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Abstract

Parker's explanation of the sunspot phenomenon in terms of the enhanced emission of Alfvén waves (solar vulcanology) is shown to be compatible with observation only if ∼ 90% of the waves propagate downwards. Further difficulties arise if the region of cooling by Alfvén wave generation is restricted to a depth of 2 Mm. However, it is shown that, if Alfvén wave generation is included in a recent model proposed by Meyer, Schmidt, Weiss and Wilson, these difficulties may be resolved. The problem of the sharp umbra and penumbra boundaries is discussed and it is shown that features of this combined model are relevant to the flare phenomenon.

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Wilson, P.R. Alfvén waves and the sunspot phenomenon. Sol Phys 42, 333–340 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149916

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00149916

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