J. T. Jefferies

The Theory of the Chromospheric Spectrum

The richness and variety of the emissions of the solar chromosphere, together with its complex geometric forms present a difficult problem for analysis. It is, therefore, hardly surprising that a thoroughly satisfying chromospheric model has not so far emerged from the various analytical attempts, though many of these have brought out very pertinent points on individual requirements on the model. Our purpose here is to present the theoretical bases for the analysis of the line spectrum of the chromosphere. In fact the presentation is more general than this may suggest; it should be as applicable to any glowing gas as to those in the solar chromosphere.