SDO/AIA response to coronal hole, quiet Sun, active region, and flare plasma

Abstract

Aims. We examine the contribution of spectral lines and continuum emission to the EUV channels of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in different regions of the solar atmosphere. Methods. Synthetic spectra were obtained using the CHIANTI atomic database and sample differential emission measures for coronal hole, quiet Sun, active region and flare plasma. These synthetic spectra were convolved with the effective area of each channel, in order to determine the dominant contribution in different regions of the solar atmosphere. Results. We highlight the contribution of particular spectral lines which under certain conditions can affect the interpretation of SDO/AIA data. © ESO, 2010.