Convection, Oscillations and GONNNNG

Michigan State University, East Lansing MI

Investigators

Abstract

AST 0205500 PI Stein There has been significant progress in recent years in our understanding of the physics of the Sun. In particular the structure of the sun is being revealed from detailed observations of the solar surface layers and their motions. In a sense the Sun is a giant echo chamber and careful analysis of all the solar resonant modes and wave propagation properties tells us what the interior is like. In this research realistic numerical simulations of the interaction between convection in the outer solar layers, magnetic fields, and the acoustic oscillations will be carried out to aid our understanding of the solar interior. The project will extend our knowledge by studying small scale magnetic fields produced 'locally' and their role in the formation of supergranulation at the solar surface. The results will be applied to present solar observations and will provide guidance to the design of the next generation of high spatial and temporal resolution solar telescopes.