Derivations and Observations of Prominence Bulk Motions and Mass

TL;DR

This paper reviews methods for measuring prominence bulk motions and mass, highlighting their importance for solar prominence modeling and discussing various observational techniques and their complexities.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of observational techniques for prominence flows and mass estimation, emphasizing their role in advancing prominence models.

Findings

Prominence flows range from linear to turbulent patterns.

Spectral line profiles are used to determine Doppler velocities.

Mass estimation methods include continuum absorption and cloud modeling.

Abstract

In this chapter we review observations and techniques for measuring both bulk flows in prominences and prominence mass. Measuring these quantities is essential to development and testing of models discussed throughout this book. Prominence flows are complex and various, ranging from the relatively linear flows along prominence spines to the complex, turbulent patterns exhibited by hedgerow prominences. Techniques for measuring flows include time slice and optical flow techniques used for motions in the plane of the sky and the use of spectral line profiles to determine Doppler velocities along the line of sight. Prominence mass measurement is chiefly done via continuum absorption measurements, but mass has also been estimated using cloud modeling and white light measurements.