Chromospheric Dynamics and Heating Processes Ion-Neutral Effects in the Solar Chromosphere and Type II Spicules
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) "realistic" models of the solar chromosphere and lower corona have now progressed to the point where meaningful comparisons of synthetic observables and solar data can be made. These comparisons show that while much can be understood in the context of MHD, there are also important discrepancies. The solar chromosphere is largely neutral, this leads to a whole range of phenomena as neutrals slip with respect to charged particles, perhaps enough to resolve some of these issues. For example, in the lower solar atmosphere, the chromosphere is permeated by jets known as spicules, in which plasma is propelled at speeds of 50-150 km/s into the corona. The origin of the spicules is poorly understood, although they are expected to play a role in heating the million-degree corona and are associated with Alfvén waves that help drive the solar wind. In this talk spicules are shown to occur when magnetic tension is amplified and transported upwards through interactions between ions and neutrals. The tension is impulsively released to drive flows, heat plasma and generate Alfvén waves. This talk aims to shed light on ion neutral effects and in particular the formation and impact of type II spicules in the chromosphere and in the corona, using novel 2.5D radiative MHD simulations including ion-neutral interaction effects with the Bifrost code.
- Publication:
-
2018 Triennial Earth-Sun Summit (TESS)
- Pub Date:
- May 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018tess.conf40002H