Related papers: On the surface structure of sunspots
The structure of the photospheric vector magnetic field below a dark filament on the Sun is studied using the observations of the Spectro-Polarimeter attached to the Solar Optical Telescope onboard Hinode. Special attention is paid to…
Context: Sunspot penumbrae harbor highly structured magnetic fields and flows. The moving flux tube model offers an explanation for several observed phenomena, e.g. the Evershed effect and bright penumbral grains. Aims: A wealth of…
Recently, there have been some reports of unusually strong photospheric magnetic fields (which can reach values of over 7 kG) inferred from Hinode SOT/SP sunspot observations within penumbral regions. These superstrong penumbral fields are…
Continuous observations of sunspot penumbrae with the Solar Optical Telescope aboard \textit{Hinode} clearly show that the outer boundary of the penumbra fluctuates around its averaged position. The penumbral outer boundary moves inward…
The subsurface structure of a solar sunspot is important in the stability of the sunspots and the energy transport therein. Two subsurface structure models have been proposed, the monolithic and cluster models, but no clear observational…
Using helioseismic holography strong evidence is presented that the phase (or equivalent travel-time) of helioseismic signatures in Dopplergrams within sunspots depend upon the line-of-sight angle in the plane containing the magnetic field…
The photospheric Evershed flow is normally oriented radially outward, yet sometimes opposite velocities are observed not only in the chromosphere but also in the photospheric layers of the penumbra. We study the velocity field in a special…
Time-distance helioseismic measurements in surface- and deep-focus geometries for wave-paths that distinguish surface magnetic contributions from those due to deeper perturbations beneath a large sunspot are presented and analysed. Travel…
$Context$. The thermal structure of the penumbra below its visible surface (i.e., $\tau_5 \ge 1$) has important implications for our present understanding of sunspots and their penumbrae: their brightness and energy transport, mode…
We investigate sharp structures visible in solar magnetic field tracers. It is shown that the sunspot magnetic boundaries do not coincide with the photometric ones. Moreover, there is no clear boundary of the magnetic field in the vicinity…
Comparison of photographic observations and vector-magnetograph measurements demonstrate, that the outer boundary of the sunspot penumbra --even in complex sunspot groups-- closely follows the 0.075T isogauss line of the total value of the…
We investigate sharply outlined features recorded in solar magnetic field tracers. It is shown that the magnetic boundaries of a sunspot do not coincide with the photometric ones. Moreover, there is no clear magnetic boundary around…
High resolution imaging observation of a sunspot umbra was done with Hinode Solar Optical Telescope (SOT). Filtergrams in wavelengths of blue and green continuum were taken during three consecutive days. The umbra consisted of a dark core…
Using Doppler velocity data from the SOI/MDI instrument onboard the SoHO spacecraft, we do time-distance helioseismic inversions for sound-speed perturbations beneath 16 sunspots observed in high-resolution mode. We clearly detect ring-like…
We report on new spectro-polarimetric measurements with simultaneous filter imaging observation, revealing the frequent appearance of polarization signals indicating high-speed, probably supersonic, downflows that are associated with at…
Three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the surface layers of the Sun intrinsically produce a predominantly horizontal magnetic field in the photosphere. This is a robust result in the sense that it arises from simulations with…
We present a method to study the penumbral fine structure using data obtained by the spectropolarimeter onboard HINODE. For the first time, the penumbral filaments can be considered as resolved in spectropolarimetric measurements. This…
Sunspots are the longest-known manifestation of solar activity, and their magnetic nature has been known for more than a century. Despite this, the boundary between umbrae and penumbrae, the two fundamental sunspot regions, has hitherto…
As a large-scale motion on the Sun, the meridional flow plays an important role in determining magnetic structure and strength and solar cycle. However, the meridional flow near the solar poles is still unclear. The Hinode observations show…
The uncombed penumbral model explains the structure of the sunspot penumbra in terms of thick magnetic fibrils embedded in a magnetic surrounding atmosphere. This model has been successfully applied to explain the polarization signals…