Bibcode
Schmieder, B.; Kucera, T. A.; Knizhnik, K.; Luna-Bennasar, M.; Lopez-Ariste, A.; Toot, D.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 777, Issue 2, article id. 108, 11 pp. (2013).
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11
2013
Journal
Citations
60
Refereed citations
52
Description
We report an unusual set of observations of waves in a large prominence
pillar that consist of pulses propagating perpendicular to the
prominence magnetic field. We observe a huge quiescent prominence with
the Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly in EUV on
2012 October 10 and only a part of it, the pillar, which is a foot or
barb of the prominence, with the Hinode Solar Optical Telescope (SOT; in
Ca II and Hα lines), Sac Peak (in Hα, Hβ, and Na-D
lines), and THEMIS ("Télescope Héliographique pour l'
Etude du Magnétisme et des Instabilités Solaires") with
the MTR (MulTi-Raies) spectropolarimeter (in He D3 line). The
THEMIS/MTR data indicates that the magnetic field in the pillar is
essentially horizontal and the observations in the optical domain show a
large number of horizontally aligned features on a much smaller scale
than the pillar as a whole. The data are consistent with a model of cool
prominence plasma trapped in the dips of horizontal field lines. The SOT
and Sac Peak data over the four hour observing period show vertical
oscillations appearing as wave pulses. These pulses, which include a
Doppler signature, move vertically, perpendicular to the field
direction, along thin quasi-vertical columns in the much broader pillar.
The pulses have a velocity of propagation of about 10 km
s–1, a period of about 300 s, and a wavelength around
2000 km. We interpret these waves in terms of fast magnetosonic waves
and discuss possible wave drivers.
Related projects
Solar and Stellar Magnetism
Magnetic fields are at the base of star formation and stellar structure and evolution. When stars are born, magnetic fields brake the rotation during the collapse of the mollecular cloud. In the end of the life of a star, magnetic fields can play a key role in the form of the strong winds that lead to the last stages of stellar evolution. During
Tobías
Felipe García