Abstract
The Sun’s chromosphere is a highly dynamic, partially ionized region
where spicules (hot jets of plasma) form. Here we present a two-fluid
MHD model to study the chromosphere, which includes ion–neutral
interaction and frictional heating. Our simulation recovers a
magnetic-canopy shape that forms quickly, but it is also quickly
disrupted by the formation of a jet. Our simulation produces a shock
self-consistently, where the jet is driven by the frictional heating,
which is much greater than the ohmic heating. Thus, our simulation
demonstrates that the jet could be driven purely by thermal effects due
to ion–neutral collisions and not by magnetic reconnection. We plan to
improve the model to include photo-chemical effects and radiation.