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Paper: Hinode Coronal Loop Observations
Volume: 415, The Second Hinode Science Meeting: Beyond Discovery-Toward Understanding
Page: 241
Authors: Ugarte-Urra, I.; Warren, H. P.; Brooks, D. H.
Abstract: Coronal loops are the building blocks of the solar atmosphere. Understanding their mechanism of formation means understanding the mechanism responsible for heating the solar corona. The properties of coronal loops are only partially established. Several issues such as the relationship among structures seen at different temperatures, the temperature distribution of the emission, or the degree of filamentation within a volume remain under discussion. Hinode, as the new generation solar observatory, provides the best suited diagnostics to address some of these issues. We demonstrate that this is the case using a case study, AR 10978, and encourage systematic studies of larger samples as solar activity increases. Results for AR 10978 are consistent with loops rooted in highly dynamic unipolar magnetic field areas made of multiple strands that get heated to at least 2.5 MK, and cool down rather coherently to transition region temperatures.
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