How close we are to solve one of the great mysteries of modern astrophysics?

Abstract：Satellite (e.g. SOHO, TRACE, STEREO, Hinode, SDO, IRIS, Solar Orbiter) and ground-based (e.g. DST/ROSA, IBIS, CoMP, SST/CRISP, DKIST) observations have provided a wealth of evidence of waves and oscillations present in a wide range of spatial, temporal and spectral scales of the magnetized solar atmosphere. Our understanding about localized solar structures has been considerably changed in light of these high-resolution superb observations. However, these observations have also opened up further challenges. It is not anymore a question of what is the energy reservoir for solar plasma heating; not even how non-thermal energy can propagate from the reservoir to the place where energy is dissipated and turned into heat. It is now more the question of how the energy is transferred to heating. In order to shed light on this fundamental question, investigating MHD waves seem to be a feasible way to proceed.

First, we briefly outline the basic recent developments in MHD wave theory relevant to solar plasma heating focusing on linear waves. Next, we concentrate on the role of the most frequently studied wave classes, including the Alfven, and magneto-acoustic kink and sausage waves. The current theoretical (and often difficult) interpretations of the detected solar atmospheric wave and oscillatory phenomena within the framework of MHD will be shown. Their photospheric origin and generation mechanism, how these waves penetrate into the chromosphere, transition region or even into the low corona will be addressed.

Last, the latest reported observational findings of potential plentiful MHD wave flux, in terms of localized plasma heating, in the solar atmosphere with some surprising results will be  discussed, bringing us closer to advance the solar atmospheric heating problem.

Bio：

Master in Physics/Astronomy (1988), in History (1991). PhD in Applied Maths 1996 (Belgium). CSc (one higher than PhD) 1997 (Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

PDRA (Armagh Observatory and Univ. of St Andrews); Lecturer from 1998, Univ of Sheffield. Full Professor since 2003. Since 2003 Head of Solar Physics & Space Plasma Research Centre (Sheffield).

Main research area: solar MHD waves, oscillations and instabilities, solar magneto-seismology, plasma heating. Space Weather. Photovoltaic solar panels, climate modelling.

Over 350 refereed papers (9xNature Inc, 3xScience, 7xSpace Science Rev); H-factor: 62. Citations over 13000. Supervised about 55 PhD students, over 30 postdocs. 

Total raised grant: about GBP30M.