Damping of Compressional MHD Waves In Quiescent Prominences and Prominence-Corona Transition Region (PCTR)

Abstract

The effects of radiative losses due to Newtonian cooling and MHD turbulence have been considered to examine the spatial damping of linear compressional waves in quiescent prominences and prominence-corona transition region (PCTR). The radiative losses give acceptable damping lengths for the slow mode wave for the radiative relaxation time in the range (10-1000s). From prominence seismology, the values of opacity and turbulent kinematic viscosity have been inferred. It has been found that for a given value of radiative relaxation time, the high frequency slow mode waves are highly damped. We have also investigated the possible role of MHD turbulence in damping of MHD waves and found a turbulent viscosity can re-produce the observed damping time and damping length in prominences, especially in PCTR.