EUV observations of a macrospicule: Evidence for solar wind acceleration?

We present a unique observation of a macrospicule, recorded in extreme ultraviolet light on 11 April 1996, using the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The observation was made by chance as part of a daily, large-area mapping sequence. Although the feature has some characteristics of the class of events which have become known as X-ray jets, we argue that the feature observed here is a macrospicule. This being the case, the observation demonstrates several new features of macrospicule observation. Emission is detected from the macrospicule to temperatures of 1 million degrees. In addition, some footpoint structure is detected at the root of the macrospicule, and the edges or sides of the macrospicule appear brighter than the central regions. A velocity analysis shows high speed flows within the macrospicule. Velocities are seen to increase with altitude until a plateau is achieved. Coincident with this, there is evidence for emission line narrowing. The significance of these observations for solar wind acceleration processes is discussed.