Reflection of alfven waves and the cooling of sunspots

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156490· OSTI ID:6855896

Thomas, J H

As one means of evaluating the possibility that sunspots are cooled by a flux of Alfven waves, the reflection of vertically propagating Alfven waves in a three-layer model of a sunspot unbra is studied. The results show strong downward reflection of Alfven waves in the photosphere and low chromosphere, with very little wave energy penetrating as high as the corona. This is in agreement with recent observations. The model umbra also shows very weak upward reflection of Alfven waves propagating downward into the convection zone. The results suggest that, if sunspots are indeed cooled by Alfven waves, these waves must escape downward into the solar interior.

• Research Organization: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Sciences and C. E. Kenneth Mees Observatory, Unversity of Rochester
• OSTI ID: 6855896
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 225:1; 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
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PHOTOSPHERE
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
STAR MODELS
SUNSPOTS
WAVE EQUATIONS
WAVE PROPAGATION