Variation with wavelength of the linear polarization (Q/I) of sunlight across the solar sodium D1 and D2 spectral lines (left panel) and across D1 (right panel). (IMAGE)

Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)

Variation with wavelength of the linear polarization (Q/I) of sunlight across the solar sodium D1 and D2 spectral lines (left panel) and across D1 (right panel).

Caption

Variation with wavelength of the linear polarization (Q/I) of sunlight across the solar sodium D1 and D2 spectral lines (left panel) and across D1 (right panel). The black curves indicate the observed signals (the measurements were carried out at IRSOL with the ZIMPOL instrument). The red and blue curves show the results of theoretical calculations carried out neglecting (red) and including (blue) magnetic fields. An excellent agreement between the observation and the theoretical modeling is obtained when assuming that the quiet regions (outside sunspots) of the solar chromosphere are permeated by a magnetic field of 15 gauss.

Credit

IRSOL - IAC

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