Abstract
The sunspot models published so far do not reproduce the observed run of the umbral continuum intensities over the entire spectral range 0.5 < λ < 4 μm. Moreover, in several previous models is the temperature gradient smaller than both the adiabatic and the radiative equilibrium gradient.
Agreement between intensities computed from acceptable models and measured intensities can be obtained by introducing an additional opacity for λ ≲ 0.8 μm, which is probably caused by the crowding of atomic and molecular lines. We present a new umbral model atmosphere with a wavelength dependent opacity enhancement factor which explains the continuum intensities and also reproduces plausible center-to-limb variations and line profiles. This model is in radiative equilibrium down to τ0.5 = 1.5, with an effective temperature of 4000 ± 100K. For the deeper superadiabatic layers a small but probably significant departure from radiative equilibrium is indicated by the intensities in the range 1.5 < λ < 2.4 μm.
The uncertainties in the present model and the effect of the additional opacity on line profiles are briefly discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bond, G. R. and Siewert, C. E.: 1970, J.Quant. Spect. Rad. Transf. 10, 865.
Cox, A. N. and Stewart, J. N.: 1970, Astrophys. J. Suppl. 19, 243.
Coupiac, P. and Koutchmy, S.: 1972, Astron. Astrophys. 16, 272.
Engvold, O.: 1973, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. 10, 11.
Garz, T., Holweger, H., Kock, M., and Richter, J.: 1969, Astron. Astrophys. 2, 446.
Gingerich, O., Noyes, R. W., Kalkofen, W., and Cluny, Y.: 1971, Solar Phys. 18, 347.
Gokhale, M. H. and Zwaan, C.: 1972, Solar Phys. 26, 52.
Hall, D. N. B.: 1970, Thesis, Kitt Peak National Obs. Contribution No. 556.
Hall, D. N. B.: 1974, private communication.
Hénoux, J. C.: 1968, Ann. Astrophys. 31, 511.
Hénoux, J. C.: 1969, Astron. Astrophys. 2, 288.
Holweger, H.: 1970, Astron. Astrophys. 4, 11.
Kneer, F.: 1972, Astron. Astrophys. 18, 39.
Makita, M: 1968, Solar Phys. 3, 557.
Maltby, P.: 1970, Solar Phys. 13, 312.
Maltby, P.: 1971, Solar Phys. 18, 3.
Maltby, P.: 1974, private communication.
Maltby, P. and Staveland, L.: 1971, Solar Phys. 18, 443.
Mattig, W.: 1971, Solar Phys. 18, 434.
Mykland, N.: 1973, Solar Phys. 28, 49.
Peyturaux, R.: 1952, Ann. Astrophys. 15, 302.
Rossbach, M. and Schröter, E. H.: 1970, Solar Phys. 12, 95.
Staveland, L.: 1970, Solar Phys. 12, 328.
Stellmacher, G. and Wiehr, E.: 1970, Astron. Astrophys. 7, 432.
Stellmacher, G. and Wiehr, E.: 1972, Astron. Astrophys. 19, 293.
Webber, J. C.: 1971, Solar Phys. 16, 340.
Wöhl, H., Wittmann, A., and Schröter, E. H.: 1970, Solar Phys. 13, 104.
Yun, H. S.: 1971, Solar Phys. 16, 379.
Zwaan, C.: 1965, Rech. Astron. Obs. Utrecht 17, Part 4.
Zwaan, C.: 1968, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 6, 135.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zwaan, C. Structure of sunspots. Sol Phys 37, 99–111 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157847
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00157847