Heating of the corona and solar wind by switch-on shocks

Journal Article · Mon Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/159791· OSTI ID:5169964

Hollweg, J V

We examine the possibility that the corona is heated by a train of weak switch-on shocks which are formed in the chromosphere from a train of Alfven waves, and which subsequently enter the corona from below. New results for the shock train propagation and dissipation and the resultant coronal heating are derived. It is shown that most of the energy in the shock train can be dissipated within one or two solar radii above the coronal base. A train of switch-on shocks therefore represents a viable coronal heating mechanism. The results are generalized to switch-on shocks in the solar wind. It is shown that such shocks can dissipate rapidly, but it is concluded that they are not the dominant factor governing the evolution of the solar wind turbulence.

• Research Organization: Space Sciences Center, Department of Physics, University of New Hampshire
• OSTI ID: 5169964
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 254:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
ATMOSPHERES
CHROMOSPHERE
DISSIPATION FACTOR
FLUID MECHANICS
HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
SHOCK WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
SOLAR CORONA
SOLAR WIND
STAR MODELS
WAVE PROPAGATION