P. Maltby

A new sunspot umbral model and its variation with the solar cycle

Semiempirical model atmospheres are presented for the darkest parts of large sunspot umbrae, regions have called umbral cores. The approach is based on general-purpose computational procedures that are applicable to different types of stellar atmospheres. It is shown that recent umbral intensity measurements of the spectral energy distribution may be accounted for by an umbral core atmospheric model that varies with time during the solar cycle; the observed center-limb variation can be accounted for by the properties of the model. Three umbral core models are presented, corresponding to the early, middle, and late phases of the solar cycle. These three models also may be regarded as having the properties of dark, average, and bright umbral cores respectively. The effects of atomic, opacity, and abundance data uncertainties on the model calculations are briefly discussed. For comparison, a new reference model for the average quiet solar photosphere is given. 94 references.

A model for the penumbra of sunspots

A penumbra model in hydrostatic equilibrium is presented. The model accounts for the continuum observations as well as the observations of Fraunhofer lines in the penumbra. The uncertainty in the model in deeper layers is discussed. It is shown that the penumbra is probably not in strict radiative equilibrium.

Solar cycle variation of sunspot intensity

Broad band pinhole photometer intensity observations of 15 large sunspots covering the spectral region 0.387–2.35 μm are presented. The data are based on measurements on approximately 500 days during the period June, 1967 to December, 1979.We have found real and significant intensity differences between large sunspots. These differences may be explained by a systematic variation in the umbral temperature throughout the solar cycle. A connection between umbra intensity and heliographic latitude is discussed.No center-limb variation in the umbra/photosphere intensity ratio is detected. We have searched for possible connections between umbra intensity and a number of other sunspot parameters, like the spot size, without detecting any significant correlation. We conclude that the umbra/photosphere intensity ratio seems to be a unique function of epoch for large sunspots.

Nonlinear sunspot transition region oscillations in NOAA 8378

Observations obtained with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory joint observing program for velocity fields in sunspot regions are used to study the 3 minute transition region oscillations above four sunspots. Here we report mainly on the results obtained for NOAA 8378, based on simultaneous recordings of the transition region lines O V λ629 and N V λλ1238, 1242 and the chromospheric Si II λ1260 line with the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation instrument. The 3 minute transition region oscillations in NOAA 8378 occur mainly above the umbra and show (1) larger peak line intensity amplitudes than reported before, (2) clear signs of nonlinearities, (3) significant oscillations in line width, (4) maxima in peak line intensity and maxima in velocity directed toward the observer that are nearly, but not exactly in phase, and (5) a clear connection to the oscillations in the sunspot chromosphere. The suggestion that the waves are upward-propagating acoustic waves is confronted with the observations by a simple test.

Limb-darkening and solar cycle variation of sunspot intensities

New observations of the umbral limb-darkening are presented. We find a real and significant decrease in the umbra/photosphere intensity ratio towards the limb. This result contrasts the findings of previous authors and we believe this to be the first time such a decrease is reported. Our conclusion is based on broad band pinhole photometer intensity observations of 22 large sunspots covering the spectral region 0.387–2.35 μm. The data are selected from measurements on approximately 600 days during the last 15.5 yr. The application of the limb-darkening data to the study of the temperature stratification in the umbra is briefly discussed. The observations confirm the suggestion that the umbra/photosphere intensity ratio seems to be a linear function of the phase in the solar cycle.

Sunspot transition region oscillations in NOAA 8156

Based on observations obtained with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory joint observing program for velocity fields in sunspot regions, we have detected 3 minute transition region umbral oscillations in NOAA 8156. Simultaneous recordings of O V λ629 and N V λ1238, λ1242 with the SUMER instrument give the spatial distribution of power in the 3 minute oscillations, both in intensity and in line-of-sight velocity. Comparing loci with the same phase, we find that the entire umbral transition region oscillates. The observed maxima in peak line intensity are nearly in phase with the maxima in velocity directed toward the observer. We discuss the suggestion that the waves are upward-propagating acoustic waves.

Gas flows in the transition region above sunspots

Strong downflows and moderate upflows in the transition region over a sunspot have been observed with the Spacelab 2 HRTS in 1985. The flows are found to be persistent, and it is suggested that they are common. Data show that the downflows are supersonic and that there is more than one characteristic flow speed in the downflows. Evidence is provided for constant downflows in the 30,000-230,000-K temperature range.

The effect of scattered light on solar intensity observations as derived from 9 May, 1970 Mercury transit

The method for correcting observed sunspot intensities for scattered light has been tested using the transit of Mercury. It is found that the correction method of Zwaan (1965), Staveland (1970) has an uncertainty (rms value) of 0.05 times the photospheric intensity. During good observing conditions the uncertainty is 0.02 (rms value) with the scanning speed used in this study. A simpler and quicker correction method is suggested.Observations during Mercurys occultation of a sunspot as well as measurements close to the solar limb are briefly described.

Plumes and oscillations in the sunspot transition region

The suggestion that sunspot transition region oscillations are a typical feature of the sunspot plumes is examined. The present observations show 3 min oscillations in the umbra that end at the umbral rim. We nd that sunspot plumes located above the umbra show these oscillations, in contrast to plumes above the penumbra. These two ndings suggest that the oscillations may be a property of the umbral transition region.

Sunspot intensity observations during the 9 May 1970 Mercury transit

The intensity of a sunspot was measured in eight wavelength regions during the Mercury transit of 9 May 1970. The observations have been corrected for scattered light in the Earths atmosphere as well as in the instrument using two different methods plus a combination of these. One method consists of using Mercury as a calibration spot. In the second method the corrections for scattered light are determined from solar limb observations.