Variability of Solar Mesogranulation

Abstract

From white-light photographs of solar granulation obtained with the SOUP instrument on Space Shuttle Flight STS-19 we have measured the motions of granules using local correlation tracking techniques. The granules are organized into larger-scale structures (mesogranular and supergranular) which exhibit outflow from upwellings, convergence into sinks, as well as significant vorticity. Magnetic fields follow these same flow patterns. We describe these velocity structures, and suggest that their effect on magnetic field structures may be important to the solar flare buildup process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA282020

Entities

People

  • A. M. Title
  • G. W. Simon
  • H. Zirin
  • K. P. Topka
  • L. J. November
  • L. W. Acton
  • R. A. Shine
  • S. H. Ferguson
  • T. D. Tarbell

Organizations

  • Phillips Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Boundaries
  • California
  • Convection
  • Images
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetic Flux
  • Motion
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Solar Atmosphere
  • Solar Flares
  • Solar Observatories
  • Space Shuttles
  • Stratified Fluids
  • Upwelling

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Solar Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster