High-resolution observations of fast events in the solar chromosphere

We present new, high spatial and high temporal resolution observations of the Sun in Ha obtained with the Swedish 1 m Solar Telescope on La Palma. The combined use of adaptive optics and image restoration techniques yielded a near-diffraction-limited time series with a cadence of 3 frames s(-1) of two different active regions. The unique combination of high temporal and spatial resolution reveals to us the existence of highly dynamic structures, moving at velocities of up to 240 km s(-1), and high-velocity waves in the chromosphere. The rapid motions appear to be common, as they are observed in two data sets recorded in succession at different locations on the solar disk. The dynamic events are probably associated with reconfigurations of the magnetic field.