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The spectroscopic observations presented here were acquired during the 2017 August 21 total solar eclipse with a three-channel partially multiplexed imaging spectrometer (3PAMIS) operating at extremely high orders ($>$ 50). The 4 $R_\odot$ extent of the slit in the North-South direction scanned the corona starting from the central meridian out to approximately 1.0 $R_\odot$ off the east limb throughout totality. The line widths and Doppler shifts of the Fe X (637.4 nm) and Fe XIV (530.3 nm) emission lines, characteristic of $1.1 \times 10^6$ K and $1.8 \times 10^6$ K electron temperatures respectively, varied across the different coronal structures intercepted by the slit. Fe XIV was the dominant emission in the closed fields of an active region and the base of a streamer, with relatively constant 20 - 30 km s$^{-1}$ line widths independent of the height. In contrast, Fe X emission exhibited broader ($>40 $km s$^{-1}$) line widths in open fields which increased with height, in particular in the polar coronal hole. Inferences of line widths and Doppler shifts were consistent with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) observations from Hinode/EIS, as well as with the near-infrared Fe XIII 1074 nm line observed by CoMP. The differences in the spectral line widths between distinct coronal structures are interpreted as an indication of the predominance of wave heating in open structures versus localized heating in closed structures. This study underscores the unparalleled advantages and the enormous potential of TSE spectroscopy in measuring line widths simultaneously in open and closed fields at high altitudes, with minimal exposure times, stray light levels, and instrumental widths., Comment: 29 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Jupyter notebooks and IDL codes are available at https://github.com/yjzhu-solar/Eclipse2017 and https://zenodo.org/records/10801930

There has been an unfortunate gap in coronal emission line observations from space in the visible and near IR (V+NIR). Their distinct scientific advantage stems from the dominance of radiative excitation in their formation, whereby their emission can be detected out to several solar radii above the limb. V+NIR emission lines can thus yield the only inferences of the physical properties of the coronal plasma, such as species temperatures, densities, elemental abundances, and speeds along and perpendicular to the line of sight in this critical spatial span. These diagnostics have been demonstrated with decades of unsurpassed high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic observations during total solar eclipses. This white paper calls for dedicated funding for a Total Solar Eclipse Earth-Based Mission for ground, airborne and seaborne observations of the corona during totality for the next decade starting in 2024. The proposed Mission capitalizes on the unique diagnostic potential offered by the V+NIR coronal emission lines for the inference of key plasma parameters over a distance range of at least 5 Rs from the solar surface. This critical coronal space is currently missing from existing and to-be launched coronagraphic instrumentation in the proposed time frame. Multi-site observing platforms for each eclipse would further capture the temporal variability of coronal plasmas over a time span of at least 1 hour, with a temporal resolution of a fraction of a minute. Furthermore, this Mission offers unsurpassed opportunities for the exploration of new technologies for future implementation with coronagraphs. This Mission has a unique significant broader impact for outreach opportunities to engage the public and the younger generations in heliospheric science from an awe-inspiring cosmic event., Comment: This White Paper was submitted to the 2024 Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) Decadal Survey

This Letter capitalizes on a unique set of total solar eclipse observations, acquired between 2006 and 2020, in white light, Fe XI 789.2 nm ($\rm T_{fexi}$ = $1.2 \pm 0.1$ MK) and Fe XIV 530.3 nm ($\rm T_{fexiv}$ = $ 1.8 \pm 0.1$ MK) emission, complemented by in situ Fe charge state and proton speed measurements from ACE/SWEPAM-SWICS, to identify the source regions of different solar wind streams. The eclipse observations reveal the ubiquity of open structures, invariably associated with Fe XI emission from $\rm Fe^{10+}$, hence a constant electron temperature, $\rm T_{c}$ = $\rm T_{fexi}$, in the expanding corona. The in situ Fe charge states are found to cluster around $\rm Fe^{10+}$, independently of the 300 to 700 km $\rm s^{-1}$ stream speeds, referred to as the continual solar wind. $\rm Fe^{10+}$ thus yields the fiducial link between the continual solar wind and its $\rm T_{fexi}$ sources at the Sun. While the spatial distribution of Fe XIV emission, from $\rm Fe^{13+}$, associated with streamers, changes throughout the solar cycle, the sporadic appearance of charge states $> \rm Fe^{11+}$, in situ, exhibits no cycle dependence regardless of speed. These latter streams are conjectured to be released from hot coronal plasmas at temperatures $\ge \rm T_{fexiv}$ within the bulge of streamers and from active regions, driven by the dynamic behavior of prominences magnetically linked to them. The discovery of continual streams of slow, intermediate and fast solar wind, characterized by the same $\rm T_{fexi}$ in the expanding corona, places new constraints on the physical processes shaping the solar wind., Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

The initiation phase of CMEs is a very important aspect of solar physics, as these phenomena ultimately drive space weather in the heliosphere. This phase is known to occur between the photosphere and low corona, where many models introduce an instability and/or magnetic reconnection that triggers a CME, often with associated flaring activity. To this end, it is important to obtain a variety of observations of the low corona in order to build as clear a picture as possible of the dynamics that occur therein. Here, we combine the EUV imagery of the SWAP instrument on board PROBA2 with the white-light imagery of the ground-based Mk4 coronameter at MLSO in order to bridge the observational gap that exists between the disk imagery of AIA on board SDO and the coronal imagery of LASCO on board SOHO. Methods of multiscale image analysis were applied to the observations to better reveal the coronal signal while suppressing noise and other features. This allowed an investigation into the initiation phase of a CME that was driven by a rising flux rope structure from a "two-stage" flaring active region underlying an extended helmet streamer. It was found that the initial outward motion of the erupting loop system in the EUV observations coincided with the first X-ray flare peak, and led to a plasma pile-up of the white-light CME core material. The characterized CME core then underwent a strong jerk in its motion, as the early acceleration increased abruptly, simultaneous with the second X-ray flare peak. The overall system expanded into the helmet streamer to become the larger CME structure observed in the LASCO coronagraph images, which later became concave-outward in shape. Theoretical models for the event are discussed in light of these unique observations, and it is concluded that the formation of either a kink-unstable or torus-unstable flux rope may be the likeliest scenario., Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, 3 movies

Studying CMEs in coronagraph data can be challenging due to their diffuse structure and transient nature, and user-specific biases may be introduced through visual inspection of the images. The large amount of data available from the SOHO, STEREO, and future coronagraph missions, also makes manual cataloguing of CMEs tedious, and so a robust method of detection and analysis is required. This has led to the development of automated CME detection and cata- loguing packages such as CACTus, SEEDS and ARTEMIS. Here we present the development of a new CORIMP (coronal image processing) CME detection and tracking technique that overcomes many of the drawbacks of current catalogues. It works by first employing the dynamic CME separation technique outlined in a companion paper, and then characterising CME structure via a multiscale edge-detection algorithm. The detections are chained through time to determine the CME kinematics and morphological changes as it propagates across the plane-of-sky. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by its application to a selection of SOHO/LASCO and STEREO/SECCHI images, as well as to synthetic coronagraph images created from a model corona with a variety of CMEs. The algorithms described in this article are being applied to the whole LASCO and SECCHI datasets, and a catalogue of results will soon be available to the public., Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures

Totality during the solar eclipse of 2017 traverses the entire breadth of the continental United States, from Oregon to South Carolina. It thus provides the opportunity to assemble a very large number of images, obtained by amateur observers all along the path, into a continuous record of coronal evolution in time; totality lasts for an hour and a half over the continental U.S. While we describe this event here as an opportunity for public education and outreach, such a movie -with very high time resolution and extending to the chromosphere - will also contain unprecedented information about the physics of the solar corona., Comment: Companion white paper to arXiv:1108.2323 (Habbal et al.)

This white paper is a call for a concerted effort to support total solar eclipse observations over the next decade, in particular for the 21 August 2017 eclipse which will traverse the US continent. With the recent advances in image processing techniques and detector technology, the time is ripe to capitalize on the unique diagnostic tools available in the visible and near infrared wavelength range to explore the physics of the corona. The advantage of coronal emission lines in this wavelength range, over their extreme ultraviolet counterparts, is (1) the significant radiative component in their excitation process (in addition to the collisional excitation), which allows for observations out to a few solar radii, (2) the higher spectral selectivity available for imaging, giving well-defined temperature responses for each bandpass (one line as opposed to many), and (3) the capability of polarization measurements in a number of spectral lines. Consequently, the evolution of the thermodynamic and magnetic properties of the coronal plasma can be explored starting from the solar surface out to a few solar radii, namely the most important region of the corona where the expansion of the solar magnetic field and the acceleration of the solar wind occur. Since the planning of eclipse observations will not be possible without the invaluable NASA-published total solar eclipse bulletins by Espenak and Andersen, a call is also made to ensure continued support for these efforts., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, white paper (Heliophysics Decadal Study)

By coordinating coronal SOHO observations in white light, ultraviolet, extreme ultraviolet, with radio occultation measurements, and complementing these with modeling, two break-throughs were achieved from this funding: (1) The discovery that minor ions are accelerated much faster than protons in the fast solar wind, and (2) that the imprint of coronal density structures is carried outwards from the Sun into the solar wind. Three refereed papers and one invited review, published in the proceedings of the conference, resulted from this funding. A summary of each is given.

Investigations of the physical processes responsible for the acceleration of the solar wind were pursued with the development of two new solar wind codes: a hybrid code and a 2-D MHD code. Hybrid simulations were performed to investigate the interaction between ions and parallel propagating low frequency ion cyclotron waves in a homogeneous plasma. In a low-beta plasma such as the solar wind plasma in the inner corona, the proton thermal speed is much smaller than the Alfven speed. Vlasov linear theory predicts that protons are not in resonance with low frequency ion cyclotron waves. However, non-linear effect makes it possible that these waves can strongly heat and accelerate protons. This study has important implications for study of the corona and the solar wind. Low frequency ion cyclotron waves or Alfven waves are commonly observed in the solar wind. Until now, it is believed that these waves are not able to heat the solar wind plasma unless some cascading processes transfer the energy of these waves to high frequency part. However, this study shows that these waves may directly heat and accelerate protons non-linearly. This process may play an important role in the coronal heating and the solar wind acceleration, at least in some parameter space.

Despite the richness of the information about the physical properties and the structure of the solar wind provided by the Ulysses and SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) observations, fundamental questions regarding the nature of the coronal heating mechanisms, their source, and the manifestations of the fast and slow solar wind, still remain unanswered. The last unexplored frontier to establish the connection between the structure and dynamics of the solar atmosphere, its extension into interplanetary space, and the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of the solar wind, is the corona between 1 and 30 R(sub s). A Solar Probe mission offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore this frontier. Its uniqueness stems from its trajectory in a plane perpendicular to the ecliptic which reaches within 9 R(sub s) of the solar surface over the poles and 3 - 9 R(sub s) at the equator. With a complement of simultaneous in situ and remote sensing observations, this mission is destined to detect remnants and signatures of the processes which heat the corona and accelerate the solar wind. In support of this mission, we fulfilled the following two long-term projects: (1) Study of the evolution of waves and turbulence in the solar wind (2) Exploration of signatures of physical processes and structures in the corona. A summary of the tasks achieved in support of these projects are given below. In addition, funds were provided to support the Solar Wind 9 International Conference which was held in October 1998. A brief report on the conference is also described in what follows.

The goal of the proposed study was to explore the non-steady nature of the coronal heating processes and its manifestations in the inner corona and interplanetary space by coordinating coronal SOHO observations in white light, ultraviolet, and extreme ultraviolet, with complementary radio occultation measurements during an unprecedented and rare coincidence of a total solar eclipse with the superior conjunction of a planetary spacecraft, Galileo, in February 1998. In addition, radio occultation measurements by the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft in May 1998 spanned the inner heliosphere observed by coronal SOHO instruments and probing it to within 0.5 R(sub S), above the solar surface. Inferences of physical properties derived from these simultaneous observations were subsequently used in solar wind model computations to yield the range of plasma parameters characteristic of the fast and slow solar wind.

While the mechanisms responsible for heating the solar corona and accelerating the fast and slow solar wind streams are still unknown, model computations offer the only means for exploring and predicting the properties of such mechanisms in light of the empirical constraints currently available. During the time covered by this grant, modeling and data analysis efforts were aimed at: 1) the study of the propagation and damping of ion-cyclotron waves in the fast solar wind 2) the exploration of the role of instabilities in the development of temperature anisotropies in the inner corona 3) the coupling of neutral hydrogen and protons in the fast solar wind 4) the morphology of the source region of the solar wind. Summarized are some of the highlights of these studies. Two PhD theses by Xing Li and Lorraine Allen were partially supported by this grant.

While the mechanisms responsible for the solar corona and the high-speed solar wind streams are still unknown, model computations offer means of predicting the properties of such mechanisms in light of the empirical constraints currently available. Modeling and data analysis efforts were aimed at understanding the plasma properties of the acceleration of the solar wind, its filamentary nature, and the conditions needed to account for a rapidly accelerating solar wind, reaching its terminal speed within 10 R(sub s). A sequence of models ranging from steady one-fluid descriptions of the solar wind to multi-fluid time-dependent models were developed. Plasma diagnostics evolved from the analysis of data acquired from Skylab to SOHO, and complemented by ground-based observations.

Despite the richness of the information about the physical properties and the structure of the solar wind provided by the Ulysses and SOHO observations, fundamental questions regarding the nature of the coronal heating mechanisms, their source, and the manifestations of the fast and slow solar wind, still remain unanswered. The last unexplored frontier to establish the connection between the structure and dynamics of the solar atmosphere, its extension into interplanetary space, and the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of the solar wind, is the corona between 1 and 30 R(sub s). A Solar Probe mission offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore this frontier. The uniqueness of this mission stems from its trajectory in a plane perpendicular to the ecliptic which reaches within 9 R(sub s), of the solar surface over the poles and 3 - 9 R(sub s), at the equator. With a complement of simultaneous in situ and remote sensing observations, this mission is destined to have a significant impact on our understanding of the fundamental processes that heat the corona and drive the solar wind. The Solar Probe should be able to detect remnants and signatures of the processes which heat the corona and accelerate the solar wind. The primary objective of this proposal was to explore the structure of the different source regions of the solar wind through complementary observational and theoretical studies in support of a Solar Probe mission.

We present a study of a three-fluid solar wind model. with continuity, momentum and separate energy equations for protons. alpha particles and electrons. Allowing separate coronal heat sources for all three species, we study the flow properties of the solar wind as a function of heat input, Alfven wave energy input, and alpha particle abundance.

The electron temperature in the inner corona can be derived from spectral line intensity measurements by comparing the ratio of the measured intensities of two spectral lines to the ratio calculated from theoretical models. In a homogeneous plasma the line ratio technique can be used for any two lines if the ratio of the intensities is independent of the density. The corona, however, is far from homogeneous. Even large coronal holes present at the solar poles at solar minimum can be partly or completely obscured by emission from hotter and denser surrounding regions. In this paper we investigate the effect of these surrounding regions on coronal hole temperatures. using daily intensity measurements at 1.15 Rs of the Fe XIV 5303 A and Fe X 6374 A spectral lines carried out at the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak. We show that the temperatures derived using the line ratio technique for these two spectral lines can vary by more than 0.8 x 10(exp 6) K due to the contribution from surrounding regions. This example demonstrates the inadequacy of spectral lines with widely separate peak temperatures for temperature diagnostic.

We present a numerical study of the formation of standing shocks in the solar wind using a two-fluid time-dependent model in the presence of Alfven waves. Included in this model is the adiabatic cooling and thermal conduction of both electrons and protons. In this study, standing shocks develop in the flow when additional critical points form as a result of either localized momentum addition or rapid expansion of the flow tube below the existing sonic point. While the flow speed and density exhibit the same characteristics as found in earlier studies of the formation of standing shocks, the inclusion of electron and proton heat conduction produces different signatures in the electron and proton temperature profiles across the shock layer. Owing to the strong heat conduction, the electron temperature is nearly continuous across the shock, but its gradient has a negative jump across it, thus producing a net heat flux out of the shock layer. The proton temperature exhibits the same characteristics for shocks produced by momentum addition but behaves differently when the shock is formed by the rapid divergence of the flow tube. The adiabatic cooling in a rapidly diverging flow tube reduces the proton temperature so substantially that the proton heat conduction becomes negligible in the vicinity of the shock. As a result, protons experience a positive jump in temperature across the shock. While Alfven waves do not affect the formation of standing shocks, they contribute to the change of the mmomentum and energy balance across them. We also find that for this solar wind model the inclusion of thermal conduction and adiabatic cooling for the elctrons and protons increases significantly the range of parameters characterizing the formation of standing shocks over those previously found for isothermal and polytropic models.

An analysis of the EUV/Skylab data recorded at six wavelengths simultaneously and scanning the chromosphere to the corona is reported. The results show that, whether in a coronal hole or a quiet region, the significant variable emission in the quiet sun is preferentially localized in the enhanced emission produced by EUV bright points in the boundaries of network cells. The spatial density of the variable and enhanced emission varies with temperature, with a minimum at 3 x 10 exp 5 K which indicates two favored temperature distributions of small-scale loops in the quiet sun, one below 3 x 10 exp 5 K and one at coronal temperatures. The enhanced emission occupies between 10 and 25 percent of the solar surface, depending on the temperature, while the variable emission covers between 5 and 15 percent. For a given region, the spatial density at a given temperature does not vary in time by more than 10 percent about its mean value.

Simultaneous observations of the quiet sun at 20 cm radio and He I wavelengths are used to establish the relationship between coronal bright points, as inferred from the 20-cm radio emission, and He I dark points. It is shown that the 20-cm radio emission, which originates from the low corona-transition region, is always associated with regions of enhanced He I absorption; however, it does not always coincide with strong He I 10830 A absorption regions known as He I 'dark points'. Significant fluctuations in the intensity of 20-cm radio emission and He I absorption take place on time scales of minutes.

Preliminary results of observations of solar coronal bright points acquired simultaneously from ground based observatories at the radio wavelength of 20 cm and in the He I wavelength 10830 line on September 8, 1985, are reported. The impetus for obtaining simultaneous radio and optical data is to identify correlations, if any, in changes of the low transition-coronal signatures of bright points with the evolution of the magnetic field, and to distinguish between intermittent heating and changes in the magnetic field topology. Although simultaneous observations of H alpha emission and the photospheric magnetic field at Big Bear were also made, as well as radio observations from Owen Valley Radio Interferometer and Solar Maximum Mission (SSM) (O VIII line), only the comparison between He 10830 and the Very Large Array (VLA) radio data are presented.