Observations and radiation transfer modelling of the solar chromosphere

The Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) is a major new instrument for Astronomy at mm and sub-mm wavelengths. During 2017 the first regular solar observations with ALMA opened up a new view of the Sun at those wavelengths. Our group has obtained observing time with ALMA to study the solar atmosphere (e.g. filaments, prominences, active region moss) and will continue to seek more observing time to study the Sun around its minimum activity. These observations will be widely supported by a range of ground-based and space-based instruments, bringing a comprehensive coverage from the extreme-ultraviolet to the radio domains via optical and infrared parts of the spectrum. The student will carry out the analysis and interpretation of ALMA and other observations, and use them to advance our understanding of the conditions within the solar plasma and of processes associated with heating and cooling of fine-scale structures. He will also contribute to applications for further observing time on ALMA and other UK facilities. As the work progresses and detailed physical questions emerge, data analysis and interpretation will eventually be supplemented by radiation transfer modelling.