Oscillatory signals in the flaring solar chromosphere

The intense burst of radiation emitted during a solar flare comes mostly from the solar chromosphere, and carries rich information about the conditions during this time.

In this project the student will carry out spectroscopic and time-series analysis of optical spectro-polarimetric observations from ground-based solar telescopes, to investigate chromospheric oscillations in solar flares.

Oscillatory signals in magnetised plasma are prized because of their potential to diagnose resonances, thus helping to constrain plasma and field properties in the oscillating volume.

The project will investigate whether flares cause, and/or modify, chromospheric oscillations, and what diagnostic potential these might hold about changes to the magnetic field and plasma during a flare.