How much of the solar irradiance variations is caused by the magnetic field at the solar surface?

The contribution to total solar irradiance variations by the magnetic field at the solar surface is estimated. Detailed models of the irradiance changes on the basis of magnetograms show that magnetic features at the solar surface account for over 90% of the irradiance variations on a solar rotation time scale and at least 70% on a solar cycle time scale. If the correction to the VIRGO record proposed by Fröhlich & Finsterle (2001) is accepted, then magnetic features at the solar surface are responsible for over 90% of the solar cycle irradiance variations as well.     

Small-Scale Solar Magnetic Fields

As we resolve ever smaller structures in the solar atmosphere, it has become clear that magnetism is an important component of those small structures. Small-scale magnetism holds the key to many poorly understood facets of solar magnetism on all scales, such as the existence of a local dynamo, chromospheric heating, and flux emergence, to name a few. Here, we review our knowledge of small-scale photospheric fields, with particular emphasis on quiet-sun field, and discuss the implications of several results obtained recently using new instruments, as well as future prospects in this field of research.     

Small-scale solar magnetic fields: An overview

An overview is given of the observational and the theoretical methods used to investigate solar magnetic fields. It includes an introduction to the Stokes parameters, their radiative transfer in the presence of a magnetic field, and empirical techniques used to measure various properties of solar magnetic features, such as the strength and direction of the magnetic field, magnetic flux, temperature, velocity, size and lifetime. The MHD equations are introduced and some of the most common simplifications used to describe solar magnetic features are outlined.The application of these techniques to small-scale magnetic features is surveyed. The results of empirical and theoretical investigations of small-scale solar magnetic features are reviewed. Current views on their magnetic structure, thermal stratification, velocity field, size, distribution and evolution are presented. Finally, some open questions concerning small-scale solar magnetic fields are listed.     

Loop Models from SOHO Observations

The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on SOHO is a grazing/normal incidence spectrograph, aimed to produce stigmatic spectra of selected regions of the solar surface in six spectral windows of the extreme ultraviolet from 150 Å to 785 Å (Harrison et al. 1995). In the present work, CDS, EIT, MDI and Yohkoh observations of active region lops have been analyzed. These observations are part of JOP 54. CDS monochromatic images from lines at different temperatures have been co-aligned with EIT and MDI images, and loop structures have been clearly identified using Fe XVI emission lines. Density sensitive lines and lines from adjacent stages of ionization of Fe ions have been used to measure electron density and temperature along the loop length; these measurements have been used to determine the electron pressure along the loop and test the constant pressure assumption commonly used in loop modeling. The observations have been compared with a static, isobaric loop model (Landini and Monsignori Fossi 1975) assuming a temperature-constant heating function in the energy balance equation. Good agreement is found for the temperature distribution along the loop at the coronal level. The model pressure is somewhat higher than obtained from density sensitive line ratios.     

Signatures of Coronal Hole Spectra Between 660 Å and 1460 Å Measured with Sumer on Soho

Spectra of the northern polar coronal hole measured with the SUMER spectrometer on SOHO on 25 October 1996 are analyzed. We present spectra taken at locations on the solar disk where part of the spectrometer slit intersects a polar coronal hole region and an area of brighter emission from outside of the coronal hole area. By comparing the line intensities between the parts of the spectrum taken inside the "dark" area of the coronal holes and the brighter regions, we work out the signatures of the specific coronal hole in the chromosphere, transition region and lower corona. We find that emissions of neutral atom lines, of which there are many in the spectrum of SUMER, show no difference between the coronal hole and the bright boundary areas, whereas all ionized species show strong intensity enhancements, including the continuum emissions of carbon and hydrogen. These enhancements are larger than in normal quiet Sun areas. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Theoretical modeling for the stereo mission

We summarize the theory and modeling efforts for the STEREO mission, which will be used to interpret the data of both the remote-sensing (SECCHI, SWAVES) and in-situ instruments (IMPACT, PLASTIC). The modeling includes the coronal plasma, in both open and closed magnetic structures, and the solar wind and its expansion outwards from the Sun, which defines the heliosphere. Particular emphasis is given to modeling of dynamic phenomena associated with the initiation and propagation of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The modeling of the CME initiation includes magnetic shearing, kink instability, filament eruption, and magnetic reconnection in the flaring lower corona. The modeling of CME propagation entails interplanetary shocks, interplanetary particle beams, solar energetic particles (SEPs), geoeffective connections, and space weather. This review describes mostly existing models of groups that have committed their work to the STEREO mission, but is by no means exhaustive or comprehensive regarding alternative theoretical approaches.     

Coronal Hole Properties Observed with Sumer

We analyze SUMER spectra of 14 lines belonging to 12 ions, obtained on both sides of the boundary of polar coronal holes as well as at other locations along the limb. We compare line intensities, shifts and widths in coronal holes with values obtained in the quiet Sun. We find that with increasing formation temperature, spectral lines show an increasingly stronger blueshift in coronal holes relative to the quiet Sun at an equal heliospheric angle. The width of the lines is generally larger (by a few km/s) inside the coronal hole. Intensity measurements show the presence of the coronal hole in Ne VIII lines as well as in Fe XII, with evidence for a slightly enhanced emission in polar coronal holes for lines formed below 10⁵ K. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temporal Evolution of Artificial Solar Granules

We study the evolution of artificial granulation on the basis of 2-D hydrodynamical simulations. These clearly show that granules die in two different ways. One route to death is the well known bifurcation or fragmentation of a large granule into 2 smaller ones (exploding granules). The other pathway to death is characterized by merging intergranular lanes and the accompanying dissolution of the granule located between them. It is found that the lifetime and maximum brightness is independent of the way in which granules evolve and die. They clearly differ in size, however, with exploding granules being in general significantly larger. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Comparison of quiet-Sun radiances measured by CDS and SUMER on SOHO

Space Science Reviews - Since the beginning of the SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) mission an intercalibration programme was carried out which included simultaneous observations of the...