The oscillations of a magnetic flux tube and its application to sunspots

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168242· OSTI ID:6997435

Evans, D J; Roberts, B ^[1]

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1. Saint Andrews Univ. (Scotland)

The modes of oscillation of an isolated magnetic flux tube in the absence of gravity is examined, with parameters chosen to mimic a sunspot. Gravitational stratification of the umbral atmosphere leads to consider two cases, distinguished primarily by the ordering of the Alfven speed and the external sound speed. The transition between these two regimes occurs at about the level where the optical depth, tau(c), is equal to 1 in the umbra. The modes given by the model, taken together with the observations, suggest that 3 minute oscillations are slow-body modes (driven by overstable convection) and that a sunspot consists of a bundle of pore-sized flux tubes rather than a single monolithic one. Fast-body modes are identified in the tube with the observed 5 minute oscillations of the umbral photosphere and below. The excitation of these modes propagating up or down the tube may explain the recent observation that sunspots act as sinks for p-modes propagating in their environment. Running penumbral waves are associated with fast- and slow-surface modes. The fast-surface wave could arise from fast-body modes driven below the level where tau(c) = 1; the slow-surface waves may arise from granular buffeting or overstable convection. 55 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6997435
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 348; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
GRAVITATION
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
MAGNETIC FLUX
OSCILLATIONS
PERTURBATION THEORY
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
STARSPOTS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
SUNSPOTS