Albion College
Mathematics and Computer Science
COLLOQUIUM
Atmospheric Gravity Waves in the Magnetized Solar Atmosphere
Oana Vesa '18

Graduate Student

Astronomy

New Mexico State University

Waves and oscillations are present everywhere within the highly dynamic solar atmosphere. Waves provide diagnostic insight into the magnetized plasma and contribute to the heating of the upper atmosphere. This talk will focus on atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs), which are excited by overshooting convection on the Sun's surface. These waves can reach chromospheric heights and are highly susceptible to the magnetic field. AGWs are also ubiquitous in other stellar and planetary atmospheres. On Earth, these waves play a key role in general circulation models that help predict global weather. Using high-resolution multi-wavelength observations, we detect the signatures of propagating AGWs at disk center on the quiet Sun. We can harness their observed behavior at different atmospheric heights to sense the magnetic field and atmospheric flows in a novel way. This study will inform future observations of these waves with the new 4-meter solar telescope, DKIST, in the upcoming years.
7:00 PM
All are welcome!
Palenske 227
April 8, 2021