Comparison of solar radio and extreme ultraviolet synoptic limb charts during the present solar maximum

Oliveira e Silva, A.J., Selhorst, C.L., Simões, P.J.A. and Giménez de Castro, C.G. (2016) Comparison of solar radio and extreme ultraviolet synoptic limb charts during the present solar maximum. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 592, A91. (doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201527792)

Abstract

Aims. The present solar cycle is particular in many aspects: it had a delayed rising phase, it is the weakest of the last 100 yrs, and it presents two peaks separated by more than one year. To understand the impact of these characteristics on the solar chromosphere and coronal dynamics, images from a wide wavelength range are needed. In this work we use the 17 GHz radio continuum, which is formed in the upper chromosphere and the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lines 304 and 171 Å, that come from the transition region (He ii, T ~ 6−8 × 104 K) and the corona (Fe IX, X, T ~ 106 K), respectively.We extend upon a previous similar analysis, and compare the mean equatorial and polar brightening behavior at radio and EUV wavelengths during the maximum of the present solar cycle, covering the period between 2010 and 2015. Methods. We analyze daily images at 304 and 171 Å obtained by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The 17 GHz maps were obtained by the Nobeyama Radioheliograph (NoRH). To construct synoptic limb charts, we calculated the mean emission of delimited limb areas with 100′′ wide and angular separation of 5°. Results. At the equatorial region, the results show a hemispheric asymmetry of the solar activity. The northern hemisphere dominance is coincident with the first sunspot number peak, whereas the second peak occurs concurrently with the increase in the activity at the south. The polar emission reflects the presence of coronal holes at both EUV wavelengths, moreover, the 17 GHz polar brightenings can be associated with the coronal holes. Until 2013, both EUV coronal holes and radio polar brightenings were more predominant at the south pole.Since then they have not been apparent in the north, but thus appear in the beginning of 2015 in the south as observed in the synoptic charts. Conclusions. This work strengthens the association between coronal holes and the 17 GHz polar brightenings as it is evident in the synoptic limb charts in agreement with previous case study papers. The enhancement of the radio brightness in coronal holes is explained by the presence of bright patches closely associated with the presence of intense unipolar magnetic fields. However, observations with better spatial resolution and also at different radio wavelengths will be necessary to fully understand the physical mechanisms that link these features.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Simoes, Dr Paulo
• Authors: Oliveira e Silva, A.J., Selhorst, C.L., Simões, P.J.A., and Giménez de Castro, C.G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Publisher: EDP Sciences
• ISSN: 0004-6361
• ISSN (Online): 1432-0746
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 ESO
• First Published: First published in Astronomy and Astrophysics 592: A91
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy