Astrophysics (Index)About

Moreton wave

(Moreton-Ramsey wave)
(type of wave moving across the chromosphere)

A Moreton wave is a type of large shock wave in the chromosphere of the Sun, that expands as an arc moving outward from a solar flare or coronal mass ejection (CME). They can move hundreds of km/s traveling distances on the order of 100,000 km. I believe the observed waves travel as if on (or parallel to) the Sun's surface, but it is presumed these may merely be the visible portion, i.e., the wave-front may project in a third dimension as well. As additional spacecraft view the Sun, from more distances and directions, various types of waves and other surface phenomena are uncovered, and there are likely new terms for some of these, and for other similar waves recently observed.


(Sun,wave)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_wave
http://solar.physics.montana.edu/wangtj/link/moreton/Moreton_Wave.html

Referenced by page:
Sun surface features

Index