Solar Polar Rays Are Not Polar
Abstract
In this poster we discuss the nature of polar rays, based on limb synoptic images constructed from Yohkoh/SXT and SOHO/EIT data. In the literature, polar rays and polar plumes are often mentioned interchangably. We find that polar rays are projection effects caused by hot plasma from equatorial active areas and are not physically associated with the coronal polar holes. Instead, the rise in number and strength of polar rays toward solar activity maximum is responsible for hiding the polar holes and polar plumes. We will present the limb synoptic maps and simple physical models to lead to this result.
- Publication:
-
Recent Insights into the Physics of the Sun and Heliosphere: Highlights from SOHO and Other Space Missions
- Pub Date:
- 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001IAUS..203..404L