SOHO

 BRIEF DESCRIPTION

So far data from the SOHO scientific payload were used for the studies of the solar atmosphere, flares, loops and solar corona. For the data analysis sofisticated numerical simulations of the radiation transfer and MHD were used and important results were published. The PI of this project is a team member of the SOHO/SUMMER Associate Scientists and participates on the data analysis in cooperation with the SUMER team in MPAE Lindau and MEDOC team in IAS Orsay. Among the working teams are also scientists from Observatoire de Paris in Meudon and MPA Garching. Results obtained so far were awarded by the Prize of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in 2003.

The SOHO satellite is observing very unique data since its launch and it is expected that the observations will continue into the following years.

This project is focussed on the following tasks:

1. utilization of the extensive archive of SOHO data and analysis of spectra and spectral images os selected events;

2. proposing, organization and making new observations, especially with CDS and SUMER instruments;

3. continuation in the development of modern analytical methods based on theoretical approach to plasma spectroscopy in non-equilibrium stages and solar MHD;

4. utilization of the results received for the preparation of the next solar project of ESA - Solar Orbiter;

Continuation of the study of spectral lines formation in the chromosphere in ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet region is planned as well as of oscillations in Lyman hydrogen lines and of mechanisms of the chromosphere heating. One of the main goals is a better understanding of physical processes in solar prominences and filaments, especially their fine structure, interaction with magnetic fields and dynamics. We will also study flare processes connected with filament activation and coronal emissions - the topic close to the space weather program (in cooperation with ILWS).

Principal Investigator  :   Petr Heinzel

WORKING PLAN

WP1: New observations will be done, namely in first years of the project, using SUMER and CDS. Team members will participate in coordinated campaigns at GSFC, MEDOC and RAL, performing various JOP’s and other programmes. Other data will be taken from extensive SOHO data-archives. Raw data will be reduced and calibrated. Data from other instruments will be processed and prepared for analysis (EIT, MDI, LASCO, UVCS).

WP2: In collaboration with teams in Paris, Orsay, Lindau, Oslo and Garching we will continue the spectral studies of solar prominences, filaments and chromospheric dynamics. Special attention will be devoted to behaviour of hydrogen Lyman lines. We will also continue our CDS and SUMER studies of EUV-filaments which can play an important role for CME’s mass loading. To analyze the SOHO data, we will continue our developments of 1D and 2D radiative-transfer codes coupled to MHD. A generalization to 3D will be also considered.

WP3:  We will study the solar filament topology from the point of view of its stability and possible eruption. Subsequent processes as eruptive prominences, flares and CMEs will be studied as phenomena influencing the space weather. For a series of events we will combine the data from SOHO/MDI, EIT and LASCO with images from TRACE and RHESSI in order to analyze the topological aspects of these phenomena. A comparison with the numerical modelling will be also performed.

WP4: We will participate in preparatory analyses related to the Solar Orbiter Mission and for that we will use our expertise and results obtained within this project. Young generation will be gradually involved (PhD students and post-docs).