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Derivation of the Major Properties of Prominences Using NLTE Modelling

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Solar Prominences

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 415))

Abstract

I introduce techniques to derive the major properties of prominences based on NLTE modelling. The main results of one- and two-dimensional models of the prominences and their fine-structures are presented. Modelling the radiative transfer processes out of local thermodynamic equilibrium allows one to retrieve the prominence plasma parameters (temperature, density, pressure, ionisation degree) as well as the prominence’s mass.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    NLTE stands for Non-LTE, i.e. departures from LTE (Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium).

  2. 2.

    In this chapter, I refer to the Lyman hydrogen spectrum (lines and continua) simply as the Lyman spectrum, unless otherwise stated.

  3. 3.

    This is assuming that a unique solution can be identified. For the modelling to be considered successful when a unique solution cannot be identified from the comparison with observations, there needs to be a small set of models with close enough physical parameters which match the observations.

  4. 4.

    The ionisation ratio is defined as the population of an ion divided by the total population of the element (i.e. summed over all ionisation stages).

  5. 5.

    This method works only if the medium is not too optically thick in the observed line (otherwise the incident radiation component of the model is not visible).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland

    Nicolas Labrosse

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  1. Nicolas Labrosse
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Correspondence to Nicolas Labrosse .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Université Paris-Sud 11, Institute of Astrophysics Space, Orsay, France

    Jean-Claude Vial

  2. University of Oslo, Blindern, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, Oslo, Norway

    Oddbjørn Engvold

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Labrosse, N. (2015). Derivation of the Major Properties of Prominences Using NLTE Modelling. In: Vial, JC., Engvold, O. (eds) Solar Prominences. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 415. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10416-4_6

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