On the Source of Propagating Slow Magnetoacoustic Waves in Sunspots

S. Krishna Prasad, D. B. Jess, Elena Khomenko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)
235 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Recent high-resolution observations of sunspot oscillations using simultaneously operated ground- and space-based telescopes reveal the intrinsic connection between different layers of the solar atmosphere. However, it is not clear whether these oscillations are externally driven or generated in situ. We address this question by using observations of propagating slow magnetoacoustic waves along a coronal fan loop system. In addition to the generally observed decreases in oscillation amplitudes with distance, the observed wave amplitudes are also found to be modulated with time, with similar variations observed throughout the propagation path of the wave train. Employing multi-wavelength and multi-instrument data, we study the amplitude variations with time as the waves propagate through different layers of the solar atmosphere. By comparing the amplitude modulation period in different layers, we find that slow magnetoacoustic waves observed in sunspots are externally driven by photospheric p-modes, which propagate upward into the corona before becoming dissipated.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberL15
Number of pages7
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume812
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 09 Oct 2015

Keywords

  • magnetohydrodynamics
  • sunspots
  • Sun: atmosphere
  • Sun: oscillations
  • Sun: photosphere

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'On the Source of Propagating Slow Magnetoacoustic Waves in Sunspots'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this