Bright Point Loops
A.B.C. Walker, Jr., & C.E. DeForest
We propose to utilize a combination of SOHO- MDI, SUMER, and EIT data to
study the interface between the chromospheric network and small scale coronal
loops (bright points). Both phenomena are driven by the emergence of magnetic
flux. This analysis will extend the work currently under way using the x-ray
and FUV images from our Multi-Spectral Solar Telescope Array (MSSTA) rocket
payload. Figure 1a shows portions of the chromospheric network, as seen
in the MSSTA H Ly a image. Figure 1b shows the corresponding area from the
Fe XII coronal image, revealing a coronal bright point as an extended loop
like structure. Note that the brightest structures in the chromospheric
network correspond to the footprints of coronal bright points. In fact,
every coronal bright point has a corresponding bright structure in the chromospheric
network, although we are not able to resolve all coronal bright points into
elongated loop-like structures, nor are we able to resolve all of the corresponding
chromospheric structures into two distinct elements. The associated magnetic
dipoles are shown in the Kitt Peak magnetogram of Figure 1c. However, we
have been unable to relate the majority of chromospheric network structures
to a coronal structure. Perhaps there may be cool loops connected to most
chromospheric structures; we hope that the SUMER images, which include emission
from O V and O VI (T ~ 300,000) will resolve this question. We have developed
loop models (Kankelborg et al ), based on the loop analysis of Vesecky et
al, which are consistent with all of the network energy radiated in H Ly
a and being supplied by conduction from the coronal bright point, although
we cannot rule out the possibility of a chromospheric energy source. The
combination of MDI magnetic field data, SUMER FUV/EUV chromospheric observations,
and EIT coronal observations will provide a unique opportunity to study
the heating, magnetic evolution, and dynamical behavior of the chromosphere/corona
interface.
No additional text was submitted for this proposal.