Model solar chromosphere with prescribed heating

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168083· OSTI ID:7242439

Anderson, L S; Athay, R G ^[1]

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1. Ritter Observatory, Toledo, OH (USA) High Altitude Observatory, Boulder, CO (USA)

Computed model solar chromospheres for prescribed departures from radiative equilibrium are specified in terms of the local mechanical (nonradiative) heat input. The computations are fully non-LTE and include millions of spectral lines. From the variety of models considered, the requirements on the heat input for a positive temperature gradient, dT/dh, in different layers of the chromosphere are discussed. The derived radiative cooling function for different models show that the cooling function is model-dependent. By comparing the computed models with the Vernazza, Avrett, and Loeser (1981) models, it is shown that the VAL-C model is characterized by a total heat flux 1.4 x 10 to the 7th ergs/sq cm/per sec, most of which is dissipated near the base of the temperature plateau. Half of the radiation loss is provided by Fe II, with Ca II, Mg II, and H playing important, but secondary, roles. CO molecules and H(-) are of lesser importance even near the temperature minimum, except in cases of minimal heating. 15 refs.

• OSTI ID: 7242439
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 346; 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
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ATMOSPHERES
CALCIUM
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHROMOSPHERE
COOLING
ELEMENTS
EQUILIBRIUM
HEATING
LTE
LYMAN LINES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
STAR MODELS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS