Chromospheric Dynamics: Spicules and Waves

Bart De Pontieu

The dynamics of the chromosphere are dominated by waves and spicules, jet-like features that are propelled upwards at speeds of ~20 km/s from the photosphere into the low magnetized atmosphere. Spicules have been a significant challenge to both observers and theorists, mostly because of their highly dynamic nature and small size, which are close to current observational limits. The advent of Solar-B will enable the first seeing-free observations that are of high enough spatial and tempposter resolution to reveal the intricate links between photospheric magnetic field and elements, the photospheric flowfield and waves and chromospheric waves and spicules. The main focus of this talk will be the advances Solar-B will be able to make in our understanding of the formation of spicules and their impact on transition region and corona. To illustrate the issues and methods needed to tackle this difficult problem, I will present recent work on a synthesis of very high resolution observations of spicules in active region plage using the Swedish Solar Telescope (SST, La Palma, Spain) combined with theoretical modelling of spicule formation.

Correspondence

Bart De Pontieu (bdp@lmsal.com), Lockheed Martin Solar & Astrophysics Lab

presentation

invited