Modeling Chromospheric Nanoflares with HYDRAD

Abstract:

Observational advances with IRIS have given the ability to observe details of the coronal transition region (TR) with extremely high spatial resolution. Spectral lines formed in the TR, in particular, illuminate the dynamics of mass and energy flow between the chromosphere and corona. Using a sophisticated hydrodynamic model, we simulate nanoflares driven by different heating mechanisms - electron beams, in situ thermal heating, and Alfvenic waves. By examining the atmospheric response and by forward modeling of spectral lines, we can directly compare with observations of the TR in order to differentiate potential heating mechanisms. We thus present the results of a large, systematic investigation of the parameter space of chromospheric nanoflares. We discuss similarities and differences predicted by the different heating mechanisms, all within the context of observed quantities.