1,394 research outputs found
First high-resolution look at the quiet Sun with ALMA at 3 mm
We present an overview of high resolution quiet Sun observations, from disk
center to the limb, obtained with the Atacama Large mm and sub-mm Array (ALMA)
at 3 mm. Seven quiet Sun regions were observed with resolution of up to 2.5" by
4.5". We produced both average and snapshot images by self-calibrating the ALMA
visibilities and combining the interferometric images with full disk solar
images. The images show well the chromospheric network, which, based on the
unique segregation method we used, is brighter than the average over the fields
of view of the observed regions by K while the intranetwork is less
bright by K, with a slight decrease of the network/intranetwork
contrast toward the limb. At 3 mm the network is very similar to the 1600 \AA\
images, with somewhat larger size. We detected for the first time spicular
structures, rising up to 15" above the limb with a width down to the image
resolution and brightness temperature of 1800 K above the local
background. No trace of spicules, either in emission or absorption, was found
on the disk. Our results highlight ALMA's potential for the study of the quiet
chromosphere.Comment: Astronomy and Astrophysics (Letters), in pres
Reversal-free CaIIH profiles: a challenge for solar chromosphere modeling in quiet inter-network
We study chromospheric emission to understand the temperature stratification
in the solar chromosphere. We observed the intensity profile of the CaIIH line
in a quiet Sun region close to the disk center at the German Vacuum Tower
Telescope. We analyze over 10^5 line profiles from inter-network regions. For
comparison with the observed profiles, we synthesize spectra for a variety of
model atmospheres with a non local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) radiative
transfer code. A fraction of about 25% of the observed CaIIH line profiles do
not show a measurable emission peak in H_{2v} and H_{2r} wavelength bands
(reversal-free). All of the chosen model atmospheres with a temperature rise
fail to reproduce such profiles. On the other hand, the synthetic calcium
profile of a model atmosphere that has a monotonic decline of the temperature
with height shows a reversal-free profile that has much lower intensities than
any observed line profile. The observed reversal-free profiles indicate the
existence of cool patches in the interior of chromospheric network cells, at
least for short time intervals. Our finding is not only in conflict with a
full-time hot chromosphere, but also with a very cool chromosphere as found in
some dynamic simulations.Comment: 8 pages, accepted in A&
Cholinergic efferent synaptic transmission regulates the maturation of auditory hair cell ribbon synapses.
Spontaneous electrical activity generated by developing sensory cells and neurons is crucial for the maturation of neural circuits. The full maturation of mammalian auditory inner hair cells (IHCs) depends on patterns of spontaneous action potentials during a 'critical period' of development. The intrinsic spiking activity of IHCs can be modulated by inhibitory input from cholinergic efferent fibres descending from the brainstem, which transiently innervate immature IHCs. However, it remains unknown whether this transient efferent input to developing IHCs is required for their functional maturation. We used a mouse model that lacks the α9-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (α9nAChR) in IHCs and another lacking synaptotagmin-2 in the efferent terminals to remove or reduce efferent input to IHCs, respectively. We found that the efferent system is required for the developmental linearization of the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of vesicle fusion at IHC ribbon synapses, without affecting their general cell development. This provides the first direct evidence that the efferent system, by modulating IHC electrical activity, is required for the maturation of the IHC synaptic machinery. The central control of sensory cell development is unique among sensory systems
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