Supersonic flows in the solar photosphere
Abstract
Except for sunspot penumbrae, very few instances of supersonic mass flows in the photosphere were known a few years ago. The situation has changed dramatically thanks to the extremely high spatial resolution provided by Hinode, SUNRISE, and the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope. Using spectropolarimetric measurements from these instruments, supersonic flows have been discovered both in the quiet Sun and in active regions, in places where they were completely unexpected. Most of them are directed downward, but there are also cases of upward and horizontal motions. Quiescent, relatively stable structures that harbor supersonic flows include granular cells, small-scale flux tubes undergoing convective collapse, pores, light bridges, and sunspot penumbrae (at all radial distances). An overview of these flows will be given, emphasizing their properties and effects on higher atmospheric layers.
- Publication:
-
39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012cosp...39..133B