Solar X-ray Jets, Type-II Spicules, Granule-size Emerging Bipoles, and the Genesis of the Heliosphere

Abstract

From Hinode observations of solar X-ray jets, Type-II spicules, and granule-size emerging bipolar magnetic fields in quiet regions and coronal holes, we advocate a scenario for powering coronal heating and the solar wind. In this scenario, Type-II spicules and Alfvén waves are generated by the granule-size emerging bipoles (EBs) in the manner of the generation of X-ray jets by larger magnetic bipoles. From observations and this scenario, we estimate that Type-II spicules and their co-generated Alfvén waves carry into the corona an area-average flux of mechanical energy of ~7 × 10⁵ erg cm^-2 s^-1. This is enough to power the corona and solar wind in quiet regions and coronal holes, and therefore indicates that the granule-size EBs are the main engines that generate and sustain the entire heliosphere.