The Solar Chromosphere, Corona and Wind: Observations and Theory

Ruth Esser,  University of Tromso, Norway 

Despite decades of observations, theoretical work and modeling, the
sources and drivers of the solar wind remain somewhat enigmatic. A
brief overview of the solar atmosphere will be given as an
introduction, with a focus on regions on the Sun that are known to
produce a solar wind. This will be followed by a description of the
magnetic field topology of both open and closed structures, as derived
from observations. An analysis of the solar wind energy budget, such
as energy losses and energy input necessary to drive a solar wind,
will be given. Current views on the role of funnel type magnetic flux
tubes in the origin of the solar wind will be presented and discussed.
Finally, a comparison between different theoretical models and
observations will show what outstanding questions remain.