Population of Bright Plume Threads in Solar Polar Coronal Holes

TL;DR

This study estimates the population of coronal plumes in solar polar coronal holes using multi-angle observations and simulations, suggesting their potential contribution to the solar wind.

Contribution

First estimation of coronal plume populations in polar coronal holes using dual-angle observations and Monte Carlo simulations.

Findings

Approximately 16-27 plumes in a 4x10^4 arcsec^2 area.

Plumes occupy about 2-3.4% of the area.

Implication for coronal plumes contributing to the solar wind.

Abstract

Coronal holes are well accepted to be source regions of the fast solar wind. As one of the common structures in coronal holes, coronal plumes might contribute to the origin of the nascent solar wind. To estimate the contribution of coronal plumes to the nascent solar wind, we make the first attempt to estimate their populations in solar polar coronal holes. By comparing the observations viewed from two different angles taken by the twin satellites of STEREO and the results of Monte Carlo simulations, we estimate about 16--27 plumes rooted in an area of $4\times10^4$ arcsec$^2$ of the polar coronal holes near the solar minimum, which occupy about 2--3.4% of the area. Based on these values, the contribution of coronal plumes to the nascent solar wind has also been discussed. A further investigation indicates that more precise number of coronal plumes can be worked out with observations from three or more viewing angles.