Solar Subsurface Flow Inferred Directly from Frequency‐Wavenumber Correlations in the Seismic Velocity Field

Abstract

We describe a general strategy for inverting helioseismic data for laterally inhomogeneous (aspherical) structure, in which the physical state of the solar interior is compared directly with inhomogeneity- induced correlations in the observable seismic wave Ðeld. The method was used to invert for subsurface supergranular-scale Ñow using Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Michelson Doppler Imager high spatial resolution Doppler images. Although many approximations were made in carrying out the inver- sion, general agreement (a correlation coefficient of 0.68) was found between the Doppler component of the seismically inferred Ñow in the photosphere and the directly observed surface Doppler signal.