Projects per year
Abstract
Magnetohydrodynamic Alfvén waves have been a focus of laboratory plasma physics and astrophysics for over half a century. Their unique nature makes them ideal energy transporters, and while the solar atmosphere provides preferential conditions for their existence, direct detection has proved difficult as a result of their evolving and dynamic observational signatures. The viability of Alfvén waves as a heating mechanism relies upon the efficient dissipation and thermalization of the wave energy, with direct evidence remaining elusive until now. Here we provide the first observational evidence of Alfvén waves heating chromospheric plasma in a sunspot umbra through the formation of shock fronts. The magnetic field configuration of the shock environment, alongside the tangential velocity signatures, distinguish them from conventional umbral flashes. Observed local temperature enhancements of 5% are consistent with the dissipation of mode-converted Alfvén waves driven by upwardly propagating magneto-acoustic oscillations, providing an unprecedented insight into the behaviour of Alfvén waves in the solar atmosphere and beyond.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 480-483 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Nature Physics |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 05 Mar 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01 May 2018 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Alfvén wave dissipation in the solar chromosphere'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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R1309APL: Waves and Flows: Linking the Solar Photosphere to the Corona
01/08/2012 → 23/06/2018
Project: Research
Press / Media
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Radio interview on East Coast FM's The Morning Show with Declan Meehan
06/03/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities