Physical conditions in the cool parts of prominences

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/161119· OSTI ID:5600028

Landman, D A

The principal plasma parameters: including the electron density, degree of hydrogen ionization, and total gas pressure: are derived for the cool parts of seven prominences (spectra reported by Shih-Huei and Yakovkin and Zel'dina). The method uses measurements of the Na and Sr/sup +/ resonance lines together with those of the middle H Balmer lines, and relies on the Na and Sr/sup +/ statistical equilibrium solutions presented in a preceding paper. It is also shown that the Na/H integrated intensity ratios alone are sufficient to determine the degree of H ionization, and this is illustrated with additional Na D line and H Paschen data recently obtained by us at Haleakala. The major results of this work are that the degree of H ionization in the cool prominence parts is found to be very low (n/sub p//n(H I)approx.0.08, on average), and the total gas pressure, very high ((n(H I)+n/sub e/+n/sub p/)kTapprox.3 dyn cm/sup -2/, on average). These conclusions are discussed in relation to earlier studies.

• Research Organization: University of Hawaii, Institute for Astronomy
• OSTI ID: 5600028
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 270:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
BALMER LINES
CHARGED PARTICLES
DATA ANALYSIS
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN
IONIZATION
IONS
METALS
NONMETALS
PLASMA
SODIUM
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR PROMINENCES
SPECTRA
STRONTIUM IONS