17 research outputs found
Sunspots: from small-scale inhomogeneities towards a global theory
The penumbra of a sunspot is a fascinating phenomenon featuring complex
velocity and magnetic fields. It challenges both our understanding of radiative
magneto-convection and our means to measure and derive the actual geometry of
the magnetic and velocity fields. In this contribution we attempt to summarize
the present state-of-the-art from an observational and a theoretical
perspective.Comment: Accepted for publication in Space Science Review
Properties of high-frequency wave power halos around active regions: an analysis of multi-height data from HMI and AIA onboard SDO
We study properties of waves of frequencies above the photospheric acoustic
cut-off of 5.3 mHz, around four active regions, through spatial maps
of their power estimated using data from Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI)
and Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard Solar Dynamics Observatory
(SDO). The wavelength channels 1600 {\AA} and 1700 {\AA} from AIA are now known
to capture clear oscillation signals due to helioseismic p modes as well as
waves propagating up through to the chromosphere. Here we study in detail, in
comparison with HMI Doppler data, properties of the power maps, especially the
so called 'acoustic halos' seen around active regions, as a function of wave
frequencies, inclination and strength of magnetic field (derived from the
vector field observations by HMI) and observation height. We infer possible
signatures of (magneto-)acoustic wave refraction from the observation height
dependent changes, and hence due to changing magnetic strength and geometry, in
the dependences of power maps on the photospheric magnetic quantities. We
discuss the implications for theories of p mode absorption and mode conversions
by the magnetic field.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, Accepted by journal Solar Physic
Modeling the Subsurface Structure of Sunspots
While sunspots are easily observed at the solar surface, determining their
subsurface structure is not trivial. There are two main hypotheses for the
subsurface structure of sunspots: the monolithic model and the cluster model.
Local helioseismology is the only means by which we can investigate
subphotospheric structure. However, as current linear inversion techniques do
not yet allow helioseismology to probe the internal structure with sufficient
confidence to distinguish between the monolith and cluster models, the
development of physically realistic sunspot models are a priority for
helioseismologists. This is because they are not only important indicators of
the variety of physical effects that may influence helioseismic inferences in
active regions, but they also enable detailed assessments of the validity of
helioseismic interpretations through numerical forward modeling. In this paper,
we provide a critical review of the existing sunspot models and an overview of
numerical methods employed to model wave propagation through model sunspots. We
then carry out an helioseismic analysis of the sunspot in Active Region 9787
and address the serious inconsistencies uncovered by
\citeauthor{gizonetal2009}~(\citeyear{gizonetal2009,gizonetal2009a}). We find
that this sunspot is most probably associated with a shallow, positive
wave-speed perturbation (unlike the traditional two-layer model) and that
travel-time measurements are consistent with a horizontal outflow in the
surrounding moat.Comment: 73 pages, 19 figures, accepted by Solar Physic