The origin of spicules and heating of the lower transition region
Abstract
A model of the solar corona and transition region is proposed in which the atmosphere is kinematic rather than static. The kinematic character results from an assumed lack of stationarity in the energy input, which is considered to fluctuate both spatially and temporally. Fluctuations in the energy input lead to two types of atmospheric regions: one that is experiencing a diminishing heating rate and another that is experiencing an increasing heating rate. Regions of diminishing heating are associated with decreasing temperatures and downflow, whereas regions of increasing heating are associated with rising temperatures and upflow. Spicules are a possible manifestation of the upflow as an aftermath of the downflow. The heating of spicule material results in an emission measure closely resembling that observed in the temperature range 30,000-300,000 K.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1086/162700
- Bibcode:
- 1984ApJ...287..412A
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Heating;
- Solar Atmosphere;
- Solar Corona;
- Spicules;
- Atmospheric Models;
- Chromosphere;
- Cooling;
- Gas Flow;
- Solar Physics