Prevalence of Small-scale Jets from the Networks of the Solar Transition Region and Chromosphere

TL;DR

This study uses IRIS observations to characterize small-scale jets in the solar transition region and chromosphere, revealing their properties, origins, and potential role in solar wind acceleration.

Contribution

It provides detailed measurements of jet speeds, lifetimes, widths, and temperatures, highlighting their significance as a persistent source of solar wind mass and energy.

Findings

Jets reach speeds of 80-250 km/s

Jets have lifetimes of 20-80 seconds

Many jets attain temperatures of at least 100,000 K

Abstract

As the interface between the Sun's photosphere and corona, the chromosphere and transition region play a key role in the formation and acceleration of the solar wind. Observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph reveal the prevalence of intermittent small-scale jets with speeds of 80-250 km/s from the narrow bright network lanes of this interface region. These jets have lifetimes of 20-80 seconds and widths of 300 km or less. They originate from small-scale bright regions, often preceded by footpoint brightenings and accompanied by transverse waves with ~20 km/s amplitudes. Many jets reach temperatures of at least ~100000 K and constitute an important element of the transition region structures. They are likely an intermittent but persistent source of mass and energy for the solar wind.