scholarly journals Evolution and motions of magnetic fragments during the active region formation and decay: A statistical study

2021 ◽  
Vol 647 ◽  
pp. A146
Author(s):  
Michal Švanda ◽  
Michal Sobotka ◽  
Lucia Mravcová ◽  
Tatiana Výbošťoková

Context. The evolution of solar active regions is still not fully understood. The growth and decay of active regions have mostly been studied in case-by-case studies. Aims. Instead of studying the evolution of active regions case by case, we performed a large-scale statistical study to find indications for the statistically most frequent scenario. Methods. We studied a large sample of active regions recorded by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager instrument. The sample was split into two groups: forming (367 members) and decaying (679 members) active regions. We tracked individual dark features (i.e. those that are assumed to be intensity counterparts of magnetised fragments from small objects to proper sunspots) and followed their evolution. We investigated the statistically most often locations of fragment merging and splitting as well as their properties. Results. Our results confirm that statistically, sunspots form by merging events of smaller fragments. The coalescence process is driven by turbulent diffusion in a process similar to random-walk, where supergranular flows seem to play an important role. The number of appearing fragments does not seem to significantly correlate with the number of sunspots formed. The formation seems to be consistent with the magnetic field accumulation. Statistically, the merging occurs most often between a large and a much smaller object. The decay of the active region seems to take place preferably by a process similar to the erosion.

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 139-168
Author(s):  
Debi Prasad Choudhary ◽  
Michal Sobotka

AbstractKeeping in view of the modern powerful observing tools, among othersHinode(formerlySOLAR-B),STEREOand Frequency-Agile Solar Radiotelescope, and sophisticated modelling techniques, Joint Discussion 3 during the IAU General Assembly 2006 focused on the properties of magnetic field of solar active regions starting in deep interior of the Sun, from where they buoyantly rise to the coronal heights where the site of most explosive events are located. Intimately related with the active regions, the origin and evolution of the magnetic field of quiet Sun, the large scale chromospheric structures were also the focal point of the Joint Discussion. The theoretical modelling of the generation and dynamics of magnetic field in solar convective zone show that the interaction of the magnetic field with the Coriolis force and helical turbulent convection results in the tilts and twists in the emerging flux. In the photosphere, some of these fluxes appear in sunspots with field strengths up to about 6100 G. Spectro-polarimetric measurements reveal that the line of sight velocities and magnetic field of these locations are found to be uncombed and depend on depth in the atmosphere and exhibit gradients or discontinuities. The inclined magnetic fields beyond penumbra appear as moving magnetic features that do not rise above upper photospheric heights. As the flux rises, the solar chromosphere is the most immediate and intermediary layer where competitive magnetic forces begin to dominate their thermodynamic counterparts. The magnetic field at these heights is now measured using several diagnostic lines such as CaII854.2 nm, HI656.3 nm, and HeI1083.0 nm. The radio observations show that the coronal magnetic field of post flare loops are of the order of 30 G, which might represent the force-free magnetic state of active region in the corona. The temperatures at these coronal heights, derived from the line widths, are in the range from 2.4 to 3.7 million degree. The same line profile measurements indicate the existence of asymmetric flows in the corona. The theoretical extrapolation of photospheric field into coronal heights and their comparison with the observations show that there exists a complex topology with separatrices associated to coronal null points. The interaction of these structures often lead to flares and coronal mass ejections. The current MHD modelling of active region field shows that for coronal mass ejection both local active region magnetic field and global magnetic field due to the surrounding magnetic flux are important. Here, we present an extended summary of the papers presented in Joint Discussion 03 and open questions related to the solar magnetic field that are likely to be the prime issue with the modern observing facilities such asHinodeandSTEREOmissions.


1995 ◽  
Vol 151 ◽  
pp. 45-46
Author(s):  
G. Csepura ◽  
L. Győri ◽  
A.A. Galal

Flare activity of solar active regions is generally believed to depend on a sheared configuration of magnetic fields (Hagyard et al. 1984). There are cases when the shear necessary for a flare can be attributed to the emergence of a new flux in the spot group (Wang 1992). But, perhaps, a newly born active region can also influence the magnetic field configuration in a nearby active region (Poleto et al. 1993, Gesztelyi et al. 1993). In this paper we are interested primarily in the influence of a newly emerging spot group on a nearby one.The three neighbouring active regions NOAA AR 6412(B-C), 6413(A) and 6415(D) have been studied between 13-22 December 1990. White-light pictures for studying sunspot proper motion and area evolution were taken at Gyula Observing Station (Hungary), Debrecen Heliophysical Observatory (Hungary) and Helwan Observatory (Egypt). Times and positions of the flares were taken from the Solar Geophysical Data (No. 558, part 1, February 1991).


1998 ◽  
Vol 167 ◽  
pp. 393-396
Author(s):  
B.A. Ioshpa ◽  
E.I. Mogilevsky ◽  
V.N. Obridko

AbstractSOHO and YOHKOH images, as well as Hα filtergrams and magnetograms from IZMIRAN have been used to analyze the evolution of the related solar phenomena – filament, active region, and accompanying pair of coronal holes – during six solar rotations, with an emphasis on the events observed during August–September, 1996. The whole complex has been considered against the large–scale magnetic fields calculated under the potential approximation. A peculiar point has been found along the changing filament. It is shown that the phenomena under investigation (filament, active region, and coronal hole) form a single complex connected with the magnetic field structure.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prantika Bhowmik ◽  
Anthony Yeates

<p>During Solar Minimum, the Sun is perceived to be quite inactive with barely any spots emerging on the solar surface. Consequently, we observe a drop in the number of highly energetic events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are often associated with active regions on the photosphere. However, our magnetofrictional simulations during the minimum period suggest that the solar corona could still be significantly dynamic while evolving in response to the large-scale shearing velocities on the solar surface. The non-potential evolution of the corona leads to the accumulation of magnetic free energy and helicity, which is periodically lost through eruptive events. Our study shows that these events can be categorised into two distinct classes. One set of events are caused due to full-scale eruption of low-lying coronal flux ropes and could be associated with occasional filament erupting CMEs observed during Solar Minimum. The other set of events are not driven by destabilisation of low-lying structures but rather by eruption from overlying sheared arcades. These could be linked with streamer blowouts or stealth CMEs. The two classes differ considerably in the amount of magnetic flux and helicity shed through the outer coronal boundary. We additionally investigate how other measurables such as current, open magnetic flux, free energy, coronal holes area, and the horizontal component of the magnetic field on the outer model boundary vary during the two classes of event. This study demonstrates and emphasises the importance and necessity of understanding the dynamics of the coronal magnetic field during Solar Minimum.</p>


1985 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR DeVore ◽  
NR Sheeley Jr ◽  
JP Boris ◽  
TR Young Jr ◽  
KL Harvey

We have solved numerically a transport equation which describes the evolution of the large-scale magnetic field of the Sun. Data derived from solar magnetic observations are used to initialize the computations and to account for the emergence of new magnetic flux during the sunspot cycle. Our objective is to assess the ability of the model to reproduce the observed evolution of the field patterns. We discuss recent results from simulations of individual active regions over a few solar rotations and of the magnetic field of the Sun over sunspot cycle 21.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S320) ◽  
pp. 221-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Gronkiewicz ◽  
Tomasz Mrozek ◽  
Sylwester Kołomański ◽  
Martyna Chruślińska

AbstractIt is well known that not all solar flares are connected with eruptions followed by coronal mass ejection (CME). Even strongest X-class flares may not be accompanied by eruptions or are accompanied by failed eruptions. One of important factor that prevent eruption from developing into CME is strength of the magnetic field overlying flare site. Few observations show that active regions with specific magnetic configuration may produce many CME-less solar flares. Therefore, forecasts of geoeffective events based on active region properties have to take into account probability of confining solar eruptions. Present observations of SDO/AIA give a chance for deep statistical analysis of properties of an active region which may lead to confining an eruption. We developed automated method which can recognize eruptions in AIA images. With this tool we will be able to analyze statistical properties of failed eruptions observed by AIA telescope.


1968 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 211-213
Author(s):  
G. V. Kuklin

According to our program of sunspot proper motion investigations (Kuklin and Syklen, 1966) we study the interdependence of the sunspot proper motions inside the group and the magnetic field of the whole group or active region. This aspect of the dynamics of matter in disturbed regions of the Sun was not considered practically up to the last time.


1968 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 47-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Olof Stenflo

According to modern theories of the solar cycle, active regions on the Sun are caused by a magnetic disturbance penetrating the solar surface from below. Sunspots, filaments, flares and other conspicuous events in an active region seem to be only secondary phenomena, the basic feature being the magnetic field itself.


1971 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Martres ◽  
I. Soru-Escaut ◽  
J. Rayrole

We have tried to find empirical evidence for the role of photospheric motions in the building up of the flare productive magnetic patterns in Active Regions.The bright Hα faculae are associated with V∥ structures different from a classical Evershed flow and particularly ‘anomalous’ in the regions and periods of high flare occurrence. The flares observed occurred at ‘crossings’ of the lines V∥ = 0(V ≠ 0) and H∥ = 0 and at places where V∥ = 0 showed abrupt changes of direction. It is suggested that these anomalous V∥ structures are evidence of vortex motions.


1993 ◽  
Vol 141 ◽  
pp. 275-278
Author(s):  
Ren-Yang Zhao

AbstractAccording to an active region model proposed in the present paper, i.e. three-dimensional and continuous distributions of the three plasma parameters (electron temperature, electron density, and magnetic field) from the active region to the quiet region, and using the combined mechanisms of gyroresonance radiation and bremsstrahlung, we have researched the solar radio S-component (i.e. the slowly varying component or SVC) variation with the magnetic field of active regions.


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