Certain problems of solar and heliospheric physics in the light of novel satellite data

Abstract

Recent satellite data have given a better insight into the possible nature of extremely strong disturbances on the Sun and in the heliosphere by relating them to processes in the solar interior. The energy, momentum, and mass transfer on various spatiotemporal scales are organized in the Sun into a hierarchy of coupled nonlinear processes. Confirmation has been given to the fact that coronal mass ejections and solar flares are not linked causally but merely reflect the existence of two channels of free-energy dissipation in the solar atmosphere in the form of plasma motion and plasma emission; their relative role can be described by a corresponding nondimensional parameter. Information on the global asymmetry of the solar emission and active processes has been gained. A great diversity in the geometry of eruptive events (not necessarily associated with magnetic reconnection) has been revealed. In our opinion, the basic unresolved problems in the investigation of solar activity dictate the necessity of carrying out more accurate, absolutely calibrated measurements of the whitelight solar emission at appropriately high spatiotemporal resolutions. The development of direct and indirect techniques of measuring the electric fields and currents with the aim of reconstructing the solar and heliospheric current system remains a challenging task.