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Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Surface Renewal: An Advanced Micrometeorological Method for Measuring and Processing Field-Scale Energy Flux Density Data
Published on: December 12, 2013
Solar wind outflow and the chromospheric magnetic network
1Southwest Research Institute, 1050 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO 80302, USA. Max-Planck-Institut fur Aeronomie, D-37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany. Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Unite Mixte CNRS- Universite Paris XI, 91405 Orsay, France. Ins.
Solar wind originates from specific regions in coronal holes, linked to the chromospheric magnetic network. These findings improve understanding of the solar wind
Area of Science:
- Solar Physics
- Heliophysics
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- Coronal holes are regions of open magnetic field lines in the Sun's corona.
- Understanding the solar wind's origin is crucial for space weather prediction.
- Previous observations lacked detailed velocity mapping at the coronal base.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between outflow velocities and magnetic structures at the base of the corona.
- To identify the specific source regions of the solar wind.
- To enhance the understanding of coronal dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft.
- Created velocity maps of Ne7+ using its resonance line at 770 angstroms.
- Correlated outflow velocities with chromospheric magnetic network structure.
Main Results:
- Outflow velocities in coronal holes show a clear relationship with the chromospheric magnetic network.
- Solar wind appears to originate from localized regions along boundaries and intersections of magnetic network cells.
- Large outflow velocity signatures were observed, linked to this network structure.
Conclusions:
- The solar wind is rooted in the chromospheric magnetic network at the coronal base.
- Localized regions along magnetic network boundaries are key source areas for the solar wind.
- These findings provide new insights into the dynamics of the solar wind's origin.
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