Simulations of the Mg II k and Ca II 8542 lines from an Alfvén wave-heated flare chromosphere

Kerr, G., Fletcher, L. , Russell, A. J.B. and Allred, J. C. (2016) Simulations of the Mg II k and Ca II 8542 lines from an Alfvén wave-heated flare chromosphere. Astrophysical Journal, 827(2), 101. (doi: 10.3847/0004-637X/827/2/101)

[img]
Preview
Text
120456.pdf - Accepted Version

7MB

Abstract

We use radiation hydrodynamic simulations to examine two models of solar flare chromospheric heating: Alfven wave dissipation and electron beam collisional losses. Both mechanisms are capable of strong chro- ´ mospheric heating, and we show that the distinctive atmospheric evolution in the mid-to-upper chromosphere results in Mg ii k-line emission that should be observably different between wave-heated and beam-heated simulations. We also present Ca ii 8542Å profiles which are formed slightly deeper in the chromosphere. The Mg ii k-line profiles from our wave-heated simulation are quite different from those from a beam-heated model and are more consistent with IRIS observations. The predicted differences between the Ca ii 8542Å in the two models are small. We conclude that careful observational and theoretical study of lines formed in the mid-toupper chromosphere holds genuine promise for distinguishing between competing models for chromospheric heating in flares.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fletcher, Professor Lyndsay and Russell, Dr Alexander and Kerr, Graham
Authors: Kerr, G., Fletcher, L., Russell, A. J.B., and Allred, J. C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Astrophysical Journal
Publisher:IOP Publishing
ISSN:0004-637X
ISSN (Online):1538-4357
Published Online:11 August 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd
First Published:First published in Astrophysical Journal 827(2): 101
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher
Related URLs:

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
631581Consolidated grant in solar and astrophysical plasmasLyndsay FletcherScience & Technologies Facilities Council (STFC)ST/L000741/1S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY
595181Chromospheric Flares: Observations, Models and Archives (CHROMA)Lyndsay FletcherEuropean Commission (EC)606862P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY