On the importance of iron in the coronal radiative losses
Abstract
The importance of iron in the cooling of the corona is demonstrated by comparing the total radiative energy losses of H, He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si, and S due to bremsstrahlung, recombination radiation, and line emission with that due to line emission of highly ionized iron in the temperature range of maximum abundance of these ions. The mechanisms of radiative energy loss are mathematically analyzed, and the radiative loss function for iron is calculated and compared with the previously determined total radiative loss function. It is suggested that even the best available radiative loss function applicable to the outer solar atmosphere is uncertain by at least a factor of 2.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975A&A....38..457P
- Keywords:
-
- Cooling;
- Energy Dissipation;
- Iron;
- Radiative Transfer;
- Solar Corona;
- Abundance;
- Bremsstrahlung;
- Emission Spectra;
- Metal Ions;
- Solar Physics