Conjectures regarding the structure of a sunspot penumbraA study of simple radiative transfer models for some of the dark filaments on the outer edge of penumbras, which observations suggest may lie several hundred km above the base of the quiet photosphere, has determined that elevated dark filaments probably have higher temperatures and densities than the surrounding atmosphere. The possibility of a connection between the dark filaments, the photospheric Evershed flow, and umbral dots, is discussed. An important observational test of the present model would involve an attempt to separate temperature and optical depth effects in the dark filaments. This could be accomplished by either continuum photometry at a few, widely separated wavelengths, or by spectroscopic studies.
Document ID
19830036909
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Cram, L. E. (Sacramento Peak Observatory Sunspot, NM, United States)
Nye, A. H. (Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY; Sacramento Peak Observatory, Sunspot NM, United States)
Thomas, J. H. (Sacramento Peak Observatory Sunspot, NM, United States)