Hinode Observations of Chromospheric Brightenings in the Ca II H Line during Small-Scale Flux Emergence Events
Abstract
Ca II H emission is a well-known indicator of magnetic activity in the Sun and other stars. It is also viewed as an important signature of chromospheric heating. However, the Ca II H line has not been used as a diagnostic of magnetic flux emergence from the solar interior. Here we report on Hinode observations of chromospheric Ca II H brightenings associated with a repeated, small-scale flux emergence event. We describe this process and investigate the evolution of the magnetic flux, G-band brightness, and Ca II H intensity in the emerging region. Our results suggest that energy is released in the chromosphere as a consequence of interactions between the emerging flux and the preexisting magnetic field, in agreement with recent 3D numerical simulations.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1086/595657
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0810.2494
- Bibcode:
- 2008ApJ...688L.111G
- Keywords:
-
- Sun: activity;
- Sun: chromosphere;
- Sun: magnetic fields;
- Sun: photosphere;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 12 Pages, 6 Figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters