Thermal fine structure and magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere: Spicules and fibrils

Philip G. Judge, Alexandra Tritschler, Boon Chye Low

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relationship between observed structures in the solar atmosphere and the magnetic fields threading them is known only for the solar photosphere, even then imprecisely. We suggest that some of the fine structures in the more tenuous chromosphere and corona - specifically some populations of spicules and fibrils - correspond to warps in two-dimensional sheet-like structures, as an alternative to conventional interpretations in terms of tube-like structures. The sheets are perhaps related to magnetic tangential discontinuities, which Parker has argued arise naturally in low-β conditions. Some consequences of this suggestion, if it can be confirmed, are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberL4
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume730
Issue number1 PART II
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 20 2011

Keywords

  • Sun: atmosphere
  • Sun: chromosphere
  • Sun: corona
  • Sun: surface magnetism

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