Bibcode
Martínez-Sykora, Juan; Hansteen, Viggo; Moreno-Insertis, F.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 736, Issue 1, article id. 9 (2011).
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7
2011
Journal
Citations
79
Refereed citations
69
Description
Recent high temporal and spatial resolution observations of the
chromosphere have forced the definition of a new type of spicule, "type
II's," that are characterized by rising rapidly, having short lives, and
by fading away at the end of their lifetimes. Here, we report on
features found in realistic three-dimensional simulations of the outer
solar atmosphere that resemble the observed type II spicules. These
features evolve naturally from the simulations as a consequence of the
magnetohydrodynamical evolution of the model atmosphere. The simulations
span from the upper layer of the convection zone to the lower corona and
include the emergence of a horizontal magnetic flux. The state-of-art
Oslo Staggered Code is used to solve the full MHD equations with
non-gray and non-LTE radiative transfer and thermal conduction along the
magnetic field lines. We describe in detail the physics involved in a
process which we consider a possible candidate for the driver mechanism
that produces type II spicules. The modeled spicule is composed of
material rapidly ejected from the chromosphere that rises into the
corona while being heated. Its source lies in a region with large field
gradients and intense electric currents, which lead to a strong Lorentz
force that squeezes the chromospheric material, resulting in a vertical
pressure gradient that propels the spicule along the magnetic field, as
well as Joule heating, which heats the jet material, forcing it to fade.
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