Convective collapse, a theoretically predicted process that intensifies existing weak magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere, was first directly observed in a single event by Nagata et al. (2008, ApJ, 677, L145) using the high resolution Solar …
The photospheric magnetic field outside of active regions and the network has a ubiquitous and dynamic line-of-sight component that strengthens from disk center to limb as expected for a nearly horizontal orientation. This component shows a striking …
Solar faculae appear as bright small features close to the solar limb. Recent high-resolution images show these brightenings in unprecedented detail. Our analysis of numerical MHD simulations reproduces the observed small-scale features. The …
We have used the Zurich Imaging Stokes Polarimeter (ZIMPOL I) with the McMath-Pierce 1.5 m main telescope on Kitt Peak to obtain linear polarization measurements of the off-limb chromosphere with a sensitivity better than 1×10$^-5$. We found that the …
Spatial mapping of the Hanle and Zeeman effects on the Sun has been done for the first time, through Stokes vector imaging with a narrow- band (0.2 ̊A) universal filter. It is shown how the polarization signatures of the Hanle and Zeeman effects can …
To clarify the physical nature of the enigmatic scattering polarization in the Na i D$_1$ and D$_2$ line cores we have explored their behavior with full Stokes vector polarimetry in regions with varying degree of magnetic activity near the solar …
We have used pairs of temporally simultaneous CaII K-line spectroheliograms and magnetic area scans to search for spatial correlation between the CaII K$_2V$ bright points in the interior of the network and corresponding magnetic elements. We find …
The richly structured linearly polarized spectrum that is produced by coherent scattering in the Sun's atmosphere contains a number of spectral features for which no explanation has been found within the standard scattering theory. According to this …
The remarkable polarization structure of the Na I D_1 and D_2 lines that is due to coherent scattering has remained an enigma, since it has not yet been possible to find an explanation that is consistent with both current understanding of quantum …
Observations of Ti I lines at 2.2 micrometer show that the Evershed flow takes place in cool, almost horizontal channels with a low magnetic field strength (~500-900 G) that does not appear to change significantly across the penumbra. This property …