Solar Filaments as Tracers of Subsurface Processes

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 177-183
Author(s):  
D. M. Rust

AbstractSolar filaments are discussed in terms of two contrasting paradigms. The standard paradigm is that filaments are formed by condensation of coronal plasma into magnetic fields that are twisted or dimpled as a consequence of motions of the fields’ sources in the photosphere. According to a new paradigm, filaments form in rising, twisted flux ropes and are a necessary intermediate stage in the transfer to interplanetary space of dynamo-generated magnetic flux. It is argued that the accumulation of magnetic helicity in filaments and their coronal surroundings leads to filament eruptions and coronal mass ejections. These ejections relieve the Sun of the flux generated by the dynamo and make way for the flux of the next cycle.

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 263-264
Author(s):  
K. Sundara Raman ◽  
K. B. Ramesh ◽  
R. Selvendran ◽  
P. S. M. Aleem ◽  
K. M. Hiremath

Extended AbstractWe have examined the morphological properties of a sigmoid associated with an SXR (soft X-ray) flare. The sigmoid is cospatial with the EUV (extreme ultra violet) images and in the optical part lies along an S-shaped Hαfilament. The photoheliogram shows flux emergence within an existingδtype sunspot which has caused the rotation of the umbrae giving rise to the sigmoidal brightening.It is now widely accepted that flares derive their energy from the magnetic fields of the active regions and coronal levels are considered to be the flare sites. But still a satisfactory understanding of the flare processes has not been achieved because of the difficulties encountered to predict and estimate the probability of flare eruptions. The convection flows and vortices below the photosphere transport and concentrate magnetic field, which subsequently appear as active regions in the photosphere (Rust & Kumar 1994 and the references therein). Successive emergence of magnetic flux, twist the field, creating flare productive magnetic shear and has been studied by many authors (Sundara Ramanet al.1998 and the references therein). Hence, it is considered that the flare is powered by the energy stored in the twisted magnetic flux tubes (Kurokawa 1996 and the references therein). Rust & Kumar (1996) named the S-shaped bright coronal loops that appear in soft X-rays as ‘Sigmoids’ and concluded that this S-shaped distortion is due to the twist developed in the magnetic field lines. These transient sigmoidal features tell a great deal about unstable coronal magnetic fields, as these regions are more likely to be eruptive (Canfieldet al.1999). As the magnetic fields of the active regions are deep rooted in the Sun, the twist developed in the subphotospheric flux tube penetrates the photosphere and extends in to the corona. Thus, it is essentially favourable for the subphotospheric twist to unwind the twist and transmit it through the photosphere to the corona. Therefore, it becomes essential to make complete observational descriptions of a flare from the magnetic field changes that are taking place in different atmospheric levels of the Sun, to pin down the energy storage and conversion process that trigger the flare phenomena.


2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S257) ◽  
pp. 271-277
Author(s):  
Bojan Vršnak ◽  
Dijana Vrbanec ◽  
Jaša Čalogović ◽  
Tomislav Žic

AbstractDynamics of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is strongly affected by the interaction of the erupting structure with the ambient magnetoplasma: eruptions that are faster than solar wind transfer the momentum and energy to the wind and generally decelerate, whereas slower ones gain the momentum and accelerate. Such a behavior can be expressed in terms of “aerodynamic” drag. We employ a large sample of CMEs to analyze the relationship between kinematics of CMEs and drag-related parameters, such as ambient solar wind speed and the CME mass. Employing coronagraphic observations it is demonstrated that massive CMEs are less affected by the aerodynamic drag than light ones. On the other hand, in situ measurements are used to inspect the role of the solar wind speed and it is shown that the Sun-Earth transit time is more closely related to the wind speed than to take-off speed of CMEs. These findings are interpreted by analyzing solutions of a simple equation of motion based on the standard form for the drag acceleration. The results show that most of the acceleration/deceleration of CMEs on their way through the interplanetary space takes place close to the Sun, where the ambient plasma density is still high. Implications for the space weather forecasting of CME arrival-times are discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S305) ◽  
pp. 86-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail L. Demidov ◽  
Renat M. Veretsky ◽  
Alexander V. Kiselev

AbstractOn the agenda of modern astrophysics is the exploration of not only disk-integrated stellar magnetic fields but surface mapping of them. However, it is hardly possible to expect that spatial resolution better than some dozens or hundreds pixels over stellar disk will be achieved for this goal in the foreseeable future. Among other reasons this fact makes very important observations of the average and large-scale magnetic fields of the Sun, which can be naturally used for testing polarimetric measurements on other stars, especially on solar-type stars. In this study we explore different aspects of observations of solar magnetic fields (SMF) with low spatial resolution, including Sun-as-a-star observations, which are characterized by extremely low magnetic flux densities. Comparison of disk-integrated and spatially resolved Stokes observations of the Sun allow us to demonstrate how Stokes V profiles depend on the distribution of large-scale magnetic fields in the disk center. It is shown that center-to-limb variations of magnetic strength ratios (MSR) and area asymetries, most likely could be interpreted as the manifestation of kG magnetic flux tubes. We have made cross-calibration of the full-disk magnetograms obtained by space-borned SDO/HMI and by the ground-based STOP telescope, and pretty good agreement is found. Finally, the absence of significant systematic time variations of MSRs with solar cycle is demonstrated.


Author(s):  
Robert Cameron

The solar dynamo is the action of flows inside the Sun to maintain its magnetic field against Ohmic decay. On small scales the magnetic field is seen at the solar surface as a ubiquitous “salt-and-pepper” disorganized field that may be generated directly by the turbulent convection. On large scales, the magnetic field is remarkably organized, with an 11-year activity cycle. During each cycle the field emerging in each hemisphere has a specific East–West alignment (known as Hale’s law) that alternates from cycle to cycle, and a statistical tendency for a North-South alignment (Joy’s law). The polar fields reverse sign during the period of maximum activity of each cycle. The relevant flows for the large-scale dynamo are those of convection, the bulk rotation of the Sun, and motions driven by magnetic fields, as well as flows produced by the interaction of these. Particularly important are the Sun’s large-scale differential rotation (for example, the equator rotates faster than the poles), and small-scale helical motions resulting from the Coriolis force acting on convective motions or on the motions associated with buoyantly rising magnetic flux. These two types of motions result in a magnetic cycle. In one phase of the cycle, differential rotation winds up a poloidal magnetic field to produce a toroidal field. Subsequently, helical motions are thought to bend the toroidal field to create new poloidal magnetic flux that reverses and replaces the poloidal field that was present at the start of the cycle. It is now clear that both small- and large-scale dynamo action are in principle possible, and the challenge is to understand which combination of flows and driving mechanisms are responsible for the time-dependent magnetic fields seen on the Sun.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Shen ◽  
Yousheng Liu ◽  
Yi Yang

<p>Previous research has shown that the deflection of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in interplanetary space, especially fast CMEs, is a common phenomenon. The deflection caused by the interaction with background solar wind is an important factor to determine whether CMEs could hit Earth or not. As the Sun rotates, there will be interactions between solar wind flows with different speeds. When faster solar wind runs into slower solar wind<br>ahead, it will form a compressive area corotating with the Sun, which is called a corotating interaction region (CIR). These compression regions always have a higher density than the common background solar wind. When interacting with CME, will this make a difference in the deflection process of CME? In this research, first, a three-dimensional (3D) flux-rope CME initialization model is established based on the graduated cylindrical shell (GCS)<br>model. Then this CME model is introduced into the background solar wind, which is obtained using a 3D IN (INterplanetary) -TVD-MHD model. The Carrington Rotation (CR) 2154 is selected as an example to simulate the propagation and deflection of fast CME when it interacts with background solar wind, especially with the CIR structure.</p><p>The simulation results show that: (1) the fast CME will deflect eastward when it propagates into the background solar wind without the CIR; (2) when the fast CME hits the CIR on its west side, it will also deflect eastward, and the deflection angle will increase compared with the situation without CIR.</p>


Author(s):  
Philip Judge

Solar physics is a historically data-starved science, but about to becomes less so. ‘The future of solar physics’ looks at new facilities, either online or about to come online, such as the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on Maui. This aims to see, through measurements of coronal magnetic fields and plasma, how the Sun’s magnetic fields generate flares, coronal mass ejections, and the solar wind. Other major missions include NASA’s Parker Solar Probe and the European Solar Orbiter mission, spacecraft intended to orbit the Sun in new ways and from different viewpoints on Earth. Supported by increasingly powerful computers, these missions are ushering in a new era.


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 459-466
Author(s):  
GUIPING ZHOU

Coronal Mass Ejection is an entire process leading to the ejection of mass and magnetic flux into interplanetary space. Its source is studied by analyzing the associated surface activity. Analysis results show that CMEs have large-scale magnetic source structures, which provide their energy, initiation, and final angular width. This paper review the studies of CME source regions with laying emphasis on their large-scale source structures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Ashish Mishra ◽  
Mukul Kumar

The present article is the successor of Solar Dynamical Processes I. The previous article was focused on the Sun, its magnetic field with an emphasis on various dynamical processes occurring on the Sun, e.g. sunspots, prominence and bright points which in turn plays a fundamental role in regulating the space weather. This article is emphasized on the solar dynamical processes and develop an extensive understanding of the various phenomena involved in their origin. The article also covers various models and hypothesis put forward by pioneer scientists on the basis of their observation by space-borne and ground-based instruments. This article shade light over a wide range of dynamical processes e.g., solar flares, coronal mass ejections, solar jets and coronal holes. Solar jets, the small-scale transient activities are found to have association with the other transient activities (e.g., mini-flares and mini-filaments). Flares as well as the coronal mass ejections are responsible for releasing a large amount of high energy charged particles and magnetic flux into the interplanetary space, and are being considered as the main drivers of space weather.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document