The Sun's X-file Under The Spotlight

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the upcoming international workshop at the University of St Andrews, scheduled for September 6-9, 2004, aimed at addressing the 'coronal heating problem' of the Sun. This phenomenon involves the discrepancy between the Sun's surface temperature of approximately 6000 degrees Celsius and the corona's temperature of around two million degrees. Two primary theories are presented: the Wave heating theory by Alan Hood and the magnetic twisting theory proposed by Harrison. The workshop aims to provide insights into these theories, particularly focusing on the role of sound-like waves in the formation of spicules.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solar astrophysics
  • Familiarity with the concept of coronal heating
  • Knowledge of the Wave heating theory and magnetic twisting theory
  • Basic principles of solar phenomena such as spicules
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Wave heating theory as proposed by Alan Hood
  • Explore the magnetic twisting theory by Harrison
  • Investigate the formation and significance of solar spicules
  • Study the implications of coronal heating on solar activity and space weather
USEFUL FOR

Astrophysicists, solar researchers, and students interested in solar phenomena and the mechanisms behind coronal heating.

Ivan Seeking
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One of the Sun's greatest mysteries is about to be unravelled by UK solar astrophysicists hosting a major international workshop at the University of St Andrews from September 6-9th 2004. For years scientists have been baffled by the 'coronal heating problem': why it is that the light surface of the Sun (and all other solar-like stars) has a temperature of about 6000 degrees Celsius, yet the corona (the crown of light we see around the moon at a total eclipse) is at a temperature of two million degrees? [continued]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/09/040906083929.htm
 
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The two competing theories trying to explain the Coronal heating problem are the Wave heating theory, proposed by Alan Hood, and the theory of magnetic twisting, proposed by Harrison. I'm going to bet for Hood's theory
 
spicules, lurking ... er ... above?

"These images also indicate, for the first time, that the ultimate cause of spicules is sound-like waves that flow over the Sun's surface but leak into the Sun's atmosphere" from APOD
 

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