Abstract
A simple geometric model is proposed to explain the recently reported effect of the prolateness of the solar chromosphere. We assume that a specific dynamical part of the solar atmosphere above the 2 Mm level, being a mixture of moving up and down jets of chromospheric matter with the coronal plasma between them, is responsible for the solar prolateness. Due to the dynamic nature of this layer, the magnetic field is considered to play a very important role in the density distribution with the height, guiding the mass flows along the field lines. The difference of the magnetic field topology in the polar and the equatorial regions leads to different heights of the chromospheric limb. Calculations show a satisfactory coincidence with observations when the mean separation between opposite polarity concentrations is about 9 Mm. The possible observational signature of this network in low photospheric and chromospheric layers is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andreev, A. S. and Kosovichev, A. G.: 1994, Space Sci. Rev. 70, 53.
Auchere, F, Boulade, S., Koutchmy, S., Smartt. R. N., Delaboudinière, J. P., Georgakilas, A., Gurman, J. B., and Artzner, G. E.: 1998, Astron. Astrophys. 366, L57.
Ayres, T. R.: 1994 in D. M. Rabin, J. T. Jefferies, and C. Lindsey (eds.), 'Infrared Solar Physics', Proc. IAU. Symp. 154, 11.
Baudin, F., Molowny-Horas, R., and Koutchmy, S.: 1997, Astron. Astrophys. 326, 842.
Beckers, J. M.: 1968, Solar Phys. 3, 367.
Dame, L. and Martic, M.: 1987, Astrophys. J. 314, L15.
Dara, H. C., Koutchmy. S., and Suematsu, Y.: 1998, in S. Koutchmy, P. Martens, and K. Shibata (eds.), Solar Jets and Coronal Plumes, Proc. Int. Meeting, Guadeloupe. France, 23- 28 February 1998, ESA 421, p. 55.
Dunn, R. B.: 1965, 'Photometry of the Solar Chromosphere', Thesis, Environmental Research Papers, No. 109.
Filippov, B. P.: 1993, Astron. Reports 37, 547.
Foing, B. and Bonnet, R. M.: 1984, Astron. Astrophys. 136, 133.
Fracastoro, M. G.; 1948, Publ. R. Oss. Arcetri 64, 44.
Georgakilas, A. A., Koutchmy, S., and Alissandrakis C. E.: 1999, Astron. Astrophys. 341, 610.
Gu, Y., Jefferies, J. T., and Avrett, E. H.: 1997, Astrophys. J. 484, 960.
Hollweg, J. V.: 1972, Cosmic Electrodynamics 2, 423.
Johannesson, A. and Zirin, H.: 1996, Astrophys. J. 471, 510.
Koutchmy, S., Smartt, R. N., Auchere, F., Boulade, S., Gurman, J. B., Baudin, F., Delaboudinière, J.-P., Georgakilas, A., Hegwer, S., Armstrong, B., Gilliam, D., and Gilliam, L.: 1998, NOAO Newsletter 56, 7.
Koutchmy, S., Di Folco, E., Auchere, F., Baudin, F., Delaboudinière, J-P., Koutchmy, O., Noens, J-C., Rondi, S., Jimenez. R., and Smartt, R. N.: 1999, Plasma Dynamics and Diagnostics in the Solar Transition Region and Corona, Proc. 8th SOHO Workshop, Paris, France, 22- 25 June 1999, ESA SP-446, p. 385.
Lorrain, P. and Koutchmy, S.: 1996, Solar Phys. 165, 115.
Mouradian, Z.: 1974, Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 279, 683.
November, L. J., Toomre, J., and Gebbie, K. B.: 1981, Astrophys. J. 245, L123.
Noyes, R. W. and Hall, D. N. B.: 1972, Astrophys. J. 176, L89.
Pikelner, S. B.: 1971, Comments Astrophys. Space Phys. 3, 33.
Roberts, B. and Mangeney, A.: 1982, Monthly Notices Royal Astron. Soc. 198, 7.
Rozelot, J. P. and Rosch, J.: 1996, Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris 322, 637.
Secchi, S. J.: 1877, Le Soleil, Gauthier-Villars, p. 38.
Simon, G. W. and Leighton, R. B.: 1964, Astrophys. J. 140, 1120.
Solanki, S. K., Livingston, W., and Ayres, T.: 1994, Science 263, 64.
Suematsu, Y.: 1998, in S. Koutchmy, P. Martens, and K. Shibata (eds.), Solar Jets and Coronal Plumes, Proc. Int. Meeting, Guadeloupe, France, 23- 28 February 1998, ESA 421, p. 19.
Suematsu, Y., Shibata, K., Nishikawa, T., and Kitai, R.: 1982, Solar Phys. 75, 99.
Title, A. M., and Schrijver, C. J.: 1998, in R. A. Donahue and J. A. Bookbinder (eds.), The Tenth Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar System and the Sun, ASP Conf. Ser. 154, 345.
Vernazza, J. E., Avrett, E. H., and Loeser, R.: 1981, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 45, 2108.
Uchida, Y.: 1969, Publ. Astron. Soc. Japan 21, 128.
Zachariadis, Th. C., Georgakilas, A. A., Koutchmy, S., and Alissandrakis, C. E.: 1999, Solar Phys. 184, 77.
Zhang, J., White, S. M., and Kundu, M. R.: 1998, Astrophys. J. 504, L127.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Filippov, B., Koutchmy, S. On the origin of the prolate solar chromosphere. Solar Physics 196, 311–320 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005296100860
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005296100860