The Solar Interface Region

• Applicant: Dr. Thomas Wiegelmann
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 317231409

Our aim is to study the interface region between the solar photosphere and solar corona. This interface region, which consists of the chromosphere and transition region, separates the solar photosphere (temperature about 6000 K) and the corona (temperature millions K). Plasma heating and mass supply from the photosphere to the corona take place in this interface region, which is not well understand and difficult to investigate. The small explorer mission IRIS (Interface Region Imaging spectrograph, launched 27. june 2013) is dedicated to observe this region. Complimentary to this imaging mission we will get high resolution measurements of the photospheric magnetic field vector from the balloon borne mission SUNRISE (launched 12. June 2013). An analysis of data sets from these two missions (and additional from SDO and Hinode) together with advanced magnetic field extrapolation and plasma modelling techniques developed in our group give us the unique opportunity to investigate the mass and energy supply of the solar atmosphere.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants