The Three-Dimensional Structure of a Sunspot Magnetic Field

Abstract

Here we report on observations of the three-dimensional structure of a sunspot magnetic field from the photosphere to the chromosphere, obtained with the new visible/infrared spectro-polarimeter SPINOR. The observations, interpreted with a non-LTE modeling technique, reveal a surprisingly complex topology with areas of opposite-sign torsion, suggesting that flux-ropes of opposite helicities may coexist together in the same spot.

To appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters

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