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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

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Printing Fabrication of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells and In Situ Morphology Characterization
Published on: January 29, 2017
Small Scale Structure in the Solar Transition Region
Summary
Analysis of solar observations reveals narrow, looplike structures not connected to magnetic fields. These dynamic features, possibly spicules, extend from the solar network into cell centers.
Area of Science:
- Solar Physics
- Plasma Astrophysics
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Previous observations (Skylab) suggested looplike structures connect to magnetic fields.
- Understanding solar magnetic field topology and dynamics is crucial for space weather.
- High-resolution solar observations are key to resolving fine-scale structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze high spatial resolution O VI spectroheliograms from the SUMER instrument.
- To investigate the magnetic field connectivity of observed narrow, looplike structures.
- To compare findings with previous solar observations and magnetic field data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a high spatial resolution (approx. 1.5 arcsec) O VI lambda1032 spectroheliogram.
- Utilized data from the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) spectrometer.
- Comparison with a Michelson Doppler Imager magnetogram.
Main Results:
- Observed numerous narrow, looplike structures with widths at the SUMER spectrometer's spatial resolution limit.
- The majority of these structures do not connect to network magnetic fields.
- These structures extend from the supergranulation network into cell-center regions lacking detected magnetic fields.
Conclusions:
- The observed fine structures are likely dynamic phenomena, possibly related to solar spicules.
- These findings challenge previous interpretations of looplike structures in solar observations.
- Suggests a more complex relationship between magnetic fields and plasma structures in the solar atmosphere.
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