Submillimeter Diagnostics of the Response of the Solar Chromosphere to Compressional Waves
Abstract
The NASA Infrared Telescope Facility has been used to observe local continuum brightness variations of the quiet sun in 350 and 800 micron radiation simultaneously. Variations of order 5 K are found at both wavelengths, with a strong correlation between the two. The 800 micron variations lag behind the 350 micron variations by 25-35 deg in phase. This is similar to unexpected phase shifts reported by Lites and Chipman in 1979 and Lites, Chipman, and White in 1982 between velocity and intensity for certain chromospheric lines. It is proposed that the phase lags observed are the result of nonadiabatic response of the chromosphere to compression, which could be an important mechanism for dissipation of mechanical energy.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1086/165027
- Bibcode:
- 1987ApJ...313..877L
- Keywords:
-
- Chromosphere;
- Compression Waves;
- Infrared Astronomy;
- Solar Atmosphere;
- Submillimeter Waves;
- Dynamic Characteristics;
- Line Spectra;
- Phase Deviation;
- Power Spectra;
- Space Infrared Telescope Facility;
- Solar Physics;
- INFRARED: SOURCES;
- SUN: CHROMOSPHERE