arXiv · astro-ph/0604301
The flow field in the sunspot canopy
Abstract
We investigate the flow field in the sunspot canopy using simultaneous Stokes vector spectropolarimetry of three sunspots ($θ$ = 27, 50, 75 deg) and their surroundings in visible (630.15 and 630.25 nm) and near infrared (1564.8 and 1565.2 nm) neutral iron lines.} {To calibrate the Doppler shifts, we compare an absolute velocity calibration using the telluric $O_2$-line at 630.20 nm and a relative velocity calibration using the Doppler shift of Stokes V profiles in the umbra under the assumption that the umbra is at rest. Both methods yield the same result within the calibration uncertainties (~150 m/s). We study the radial dependence of Stokes V profiles in the directions of disk center and limb side. Maps of Stokes V profile shifts, polarity, amplitude asymmetry, field strength and magnetic field azimuth provide strong evidence for the presence of a magnetic canopy and for the existence of a radial outflow in the canopy. Our findings indicate that the Evershed flow does not cease abruptly at the white-light spot boundary, but that at least a part of the penumbral Evershed flow continues into the magnetic canopy.
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Reza Rezaei, R. Schlichenmaier, C. A. R. Beck, L. R. Bellot Rubio. 2006-04-13. The flow field in the sunspot canopy. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%3A20065180
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