Doppler Shifts in the Quiet-Sun Transition Region and Corona Observed with SUMER on SOHO
Wilhelm, K.; Brekke, P.; Hassler, D. M.
Norway, United States, Germany
Abstract
New observations of systematic red shifts of transition region and coronal lines obtained with SUMER (Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation) on SOHO (the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) are presented. With the extensive wavelength coverage of SUMER it is possible to extend the measurements of the red shifts to much higher temperatures compared to previous instruments. We find lines formed in the upper transition region (e.g. Ov, Sv, and Svi) to be red-shifted similar to lower temperature lines (T ≤ 1.8 x 10-5 K). Even hotter lines such as Ovi, Neviii and Mgx show systematic red shifts on the order of 5 km s-1 in the quiet Sun. This is a new and significant result since previous measurements of the red shifts were less well constrained.