A Study of the Origins of Solar Active Region Heating

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanisms of solar chromospheric heating in relation to photospheric dynamics. The data available focus on NOAA Active Region 8844, and feature observations from various satellites (Yohkoh, SoHO, and TRACE) as well as a unique balloon-borne experiment (Flare Genesis Experiment). Analysis should determine not only the photospheric magnetic and velocity fields, but also the electron temperature and emission measure in the overlying transition region. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding small-scale transient phenomena like Ellerman bombs. At the final stage of the project, these events will be modeled by cellular automata models incorporating the self-organized critical behavior of the solar atmosphere, as well as by deterministic hydrodynamic and magneto-hydrodynamic calculations.