Can We See This Massive Coronal Hole on the Sun?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter DaveC426913
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the visibility of a massive coronal hole on the Sun, exploring whether it can be observed similarly to sunspots and the methods of observation available, particularly in relation to different wavelengths of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether coronal holes are visible like sunspots, suggesting a potential observational method using a pinhole camera.
  • One participant asserts that coronal holes are not optically visible, indicating that they can only be observed at X-ray wavelengths.
  • Another participant mentions that coronal holes are best observed at a specific wavelength of 193 Angstroms, which corresponds to a spectral line emitted by iron-12 at high temperatures.
  • There is a reference to the temperature difference between the solar corona and the photosphere, highlighting the mystery of the corona's high temperature.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that coronal holes are not visible in the optical spectrum, but there is uncertainty regarding the best methods for observation and the implications of their visibility.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the broader implications of coronal hole visibility or the reasons behind the temperature differences in solar layers.

DaveC426913
Gold Member
2025 Award
Messages
24,318
Reaction score
8,510
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I never did get an answer to this, and I suspect the observation window is rapidly closing. :sorry:
 
DaveC426913 said:
Is it visible like a sunspot might be?

Sorry been away for a few days .... No, coronal holes are not optically visible

DaveC426913 said:
and I suspect the observation window is rapidly closing. :sorry:

dont worry, another is central disk now .....

1702350936229.png
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: DennisN
davenn said:
No, coronal holes are not optically visible
Well that's hardly Instgrammable is it?
You must know some astro eggheads. Can you get them on that lickety-split?
 
DaveC426913 said:
Well that's hardly Instgrammable is it?
You must know some astro eggheads. Can you get them on that lickety-split?

Coronal holes are only seen at X-ray wavelengths. The best one they are seen at is like that of the
image above, which is 193 Angstroms (19.3 nanometre) wavelength.
Quote ....
"which highlights a spectral line emitted by iron atoms that have lost 11 electrons (also known as
iron-12 or Fe XII) at temperatures of 1,000,000 K"
end quote

1,000,000K is the typical temperature of the Solar Corona. The high temp of the corona was, for
many years, a great mystery as it sits above the much cooler photosphere ( around 6000K), the
visible *""surface"" of the sun, where the sunspots reside.

* we know it isnt a solid surfaceDave
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: DennisN and DaveC426913

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 448 ·
15
Replies
448
Views
58K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K