Modelling the Large Scale Structure of the Solar Corona
Abstract
We report on recent attempts to find a quantitative description of both the magnetic field and the distribution of plasma in the lower corona that matches the white light images of the K-corona. We use the magnetostatic model of Bogdan and Low and data obtained by the High Altitude Observatory K-Coronameter (1.2 - 2.3 Rsun) and the Solar Maximum Mission Coronameter/Polarimeter (1.5 - 4 Rsun). By varying parameters in the Bogdan and Low model we are able to quantitatively match the general characteristics of the lower corona at solar minimum: power law radial profiles of coronal brightness: enhanced brightness at the equator; uniform density depletion at the pole. Further, we use the best fit model to determine a temperature distribution in the corona and investigate the implications this has for solar wind theory.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #180
- Pub Date:
- May 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992AAS...180.1207G