Context. The chromosphere remains a poorly understood part of the solar atmosphere, as current modeling and observing capabilities are still ill-suited to investigate in depth its fully 3-dimensional nature. In particular, chromospheric observations that can preserve high spatial and temporal resolution while providing spectral information over extended fields of view are still very scarce. Aims. In this paper, we seek to establish the suitability of imaging spectroscopy performed in the Ca II 854.2 nm line as a means to investigate the solar chromosphere at high resolution. Methods. We utilize monochromatic images obtained with the Interferometric BIdimensional Spectrometer (IBIS) at multiple wavelengths within the Ca II 854.2 nm line and over several quiet areas. We analyze both the morphological properties derived from narrow-band monochromatic images and the average spectral properties of distinct solar features such as network points, internetwork areas and fibrils. Results. The spectral properties derived over quiet-Sun targets are in full agreement with earlier results obtained with fixed-slit spectrographic observations, highlighting the reliability of the spectral information obtained with IBIS. Furthermore, the very narrowband IBIS imaging reveals with much clarity the dual nature of the Ca II 854.2 nm line: its outer wings gradually sample the solar photosphere, while the core is a purely chromospheric indicator. The latter displays a wealth of fine structures including bright points, akin to the Ca II H 2V and K 2V grains, as well as fibrils originating from even the smallest magnetic elements. The fibrils occupy a large fraction of the observed field of view even in the quiet regions, and clearly outline atmospheric volumes with different dynamical properties, strongly dependent on the local magnetic topology. This highlights the fact that 1-D models stratified along the vertical direction can provide only a very limited representation of the actual chromospheric physics. Conclusions. Imaging spectroscopy in the Ca II 854.2 nm line currently represents one of the best observational tools to investigate the highly structured and highly dynamical chromospheric environment. A high performance instrument such as IBIS is crucial in order to achieve the necessary spectral purity and stability, spatial resolution, and temporal cadence.

Abstract. High spectral, spatial and temporal resolution UV observations of the quiet Sun transition region show a highly structured and dynamical environment where transient supersonic flows are commonly observed. Strongly non-Gaussian line profiles are the spectral signatures of these flows and are known in the literature as explosive events. In this paper we present a high spatial resolution (≈1 ) spectroheliogram of a 273 × 291 area of the quiet Sun acquired with SUMER/SOHO in the O  spectral line at λ103.193 nm. The extremely high quality of these observations allows us to identify tens of explosive events from which we estimate an average size of 1800 km and a birthrate of 2500 s −1 over the entire Sun. Estimates of the kinetic and enthalpy fluxes associated with these events show that explosive events are not important as far as solar coronal heating is concerned. The relationship with the underlying photospheric magnetic field is also studied, revealing that explosive events generally occur in regions with weak (and, very likely, mixed polarity) magnetic flux. By studying the structure of upward and downward flows exceeding those associated to average quiet Sun profiles, we find a clear correlation between the "excess" flows and the magnetic network. However, although explosive events are always associated with flow patterns often covering areas larger than the explosive event itself, the contrary is not true. In particular, almost all flows associated with the stronger concentrations of photospheric magnetic flux do not show non-Gaussian line profiles. In some cases, non-Gaussian line profiles are associated with supersonic flows in small magnetic loops. The case of a small loop showing a supersonic siphon-like flow of ≈130 km s −1 is studied in detail. This is, to our knowledge, the first detection of a supersonic siphon-like flow in a quiet Sun loop. In other cases, the flow patterns associated with explosive events may suggest a relation with UV spicules.

During a coordinated observing campaign (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, SOHO JOP 139), we obtained simultaneous spectroheliograms of a solar active region in several spectral lines, sampling levels from the chromosphere to the corona. Ground-based spectroheliograms were acquired at the Dunn Solar Tower of the National Solar Observatory/Sacramento Peak in four chromospheric lines, while the coronal diagnostic spectrograph on board SOHO was used to obtain rasters of the active region in transition region (TR) and coronal lines. Such a complete data set allowed us to compare the development of intensity and velocity fields during a small two-ribbon flare in the whole atmosphere. In particular, we obtained for the first time quasi-simultaneous and spatially resolved observations of velocity fields during the impulsive phase of a flare, in both the chromosphere and upper atmosphere. In this phase, strong downflows (up to 40 km s À1 ) following the shape of the developing ribbons are measured at chromospheric levels, while strong upward motions are instead measured in TR (up to À100 km s À1 ) and coronal lines (À160 km s À1 ). The spatial pattern of these velocities have a common area about 10 00 wide. This is the first time that opposite-directed flows at different atmospheric levels are observed in the same spatial location during a flare. These signatures are highly suggestive of the chromospheric evaporation scenario predicted in theoretical models of flares.

Aims. We study the dynamics and the evolution of a C2.3 two-ribbon flare, developed on 2002 August 11, during the impulsive phase as well as during the long gradual phase. To this end we obtained multiwavelength observations using the CDS spectrometer aboard SOHO, facilities at the National Solar Observatory/Sacramento Peak, and the TRACE and RHESSI spacecrafts. . In one footpoint simultaneous Hα data are also available and we find, at the same time and location, downflows with an inferred velocity between 4 and 10 km s −1 . We also verify that the "instantaneous" momenta of the oppositely directed flows detected in Fe xix and Hα are equal within one order of magnitude. These signatures are in general agreement with the scenario of explosive chromospheric evaporation. Combining RHESSI and CDS data after the coronal upflows have ceased, we prove that, independently from the filling factor, an essential contribution to the density of the post-flare loop system is supplied from evaporated chromospheric material. Finally, we consider the cooling of this loop system, that becomes successively visible in progressively colder signatures during the gradual phase. We show that the observed cooling behaviour can be obtained assuming a coronal filling factor of ≈0.2 to 0.5.