scholarly journals BOOTSTRAPPING THE CORONAL MAGNETIC FIELD WITHSTEREO: UNIPOLAR POTENTIAL FIELD MODELING

2010 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 723-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus J. Aschwanden ◽  
Anne W. Sandman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Modeling

scholarly journals Global Coronal Equilibria with Solar Wind Outflow

2021 ◽  
Vol 923 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Oliver E. K. Rice ◽  
Anthony R. Yeates
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Field Model ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Source Surface ◽  
Radial Magnetic Field ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Magnetic Field Model ◽  
Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations

Abstract Given a known radial magnetic field distribution on the Sun’s photospheric surface, there exist well-established methods for computing a potential magnetic field in the corona above. Such potential fields are routinely used as input to solar wind models, and to initialize magneto-frictional or full magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the coronal and heliospheric magnetic fields. We describe an improved magnetic field model that calculates a magneto-frictional equilibrium with an imposed solar wind profile (which can be Parker’s solar wind solution, or any reasonable equivalent). These “outflow fields” appear to approximate the real coronal magnetic field more closely than a potential field, take a similar time to compute, and avoid the need to impose an artificial source surface. Thus they provide a practical alternative to the potential field model for initializing time-evolving simulations or modeling the heliospheric magnetic field. We give an open-source Python implementation in spherical coordinates and apply the model to data from solar cycle 24. The outflow tends to increase the open magnetic flux compared to the potential field model, reducing the well-known discrepancy with in situ observations.

scholarly journals Revisiting the coronal current sheet model: Parameter range analysis and comparison with the potential field model

2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennimari Koskela ◽  
Ilpo Virtanen ◽  
Kalevi Mursula
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Neutral Line ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Observatory ◽  
Latitudinal Variation ◽  
Source Surface ◽  
Current Parameter ◽  
Cusp Surface

Aims. We study the properties of the coronal magnetic field according to the current sheet source surface (CSSS) model in 1976–2017 for all physically reasonable values of the three model parameters (cusp surface radius Rcs, source surface radius Rss, and current parameter a), and compare the CSSS field with the potential field source surface (PFSS) model field. Methods. We used the synoptic maps of the photospheric magnetic field from the Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO), National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak (NSO/KP), and the NSO Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun Vector Spectromagnetograph (SOLIS/VSM) in order to calculate the coronal magnetic field according to the CSSS and PFSS models. We calculated the coronal field strength, its latitudinal variation and neutral line location, as well as its polarity match with the heliospheric magnetic field. Results. The CSSS model can correct the erroneous latitudinal variation of the PFSS model if the source surface is sufficiently far out with respect to the cusp surface (Rss ≥ 3 ⋅ Rcs). The topology of the neutral line only slightly depends on source surface radius or current parameter, but excludes very low values of the cusp surface (Rcs ≤ 1.5). A comparison of the polarities gives an optimum cusp surface radius that varies in time between 2 and 5; a stronger current yields a larger optimum Rcs. Interestingly, the optimum polarity match percentages and optimum radii vary very similarly in the two models over the four solar cycles we studied. Conclusions. The CSSS model can produce a stronger total coronal flux than the PFSS model and correct its latitudinal variation. However, the topology of the CSSS model is rather independent of horizontal currents and remains very similar to that of the PFSS model. Therefore, the CSSS model cannot improve the match of field polarities between corona and heliosphere.

scholarly journals An elliptic expansion of the potential field source surface model

2020 ◽  
Vol 638 ◽  
pp. A109
Author(s):  
M. Kruse ◽  
V. Heidrich-Meisner ◽  
R. F. Wimmer-Schweingruber ◽  
M. Hauptmann
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Potential Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Configuration ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Source Surface ◽  
Field Source ◽  
Numerical Solver ◽  
Elliptical Models

Context. The potential field source surface model is frequently used as a basis for further scientific investigations where a comprehensive coronal magnetic field is of importance. Its parameters, especially the position and shape of the source surface, are crucial for the interpretation of the state of the interplanetary medium. Improvements have been suggested that introduce one or more additional free parameters to the model, for example, the current sheet source surface model. Aims. Relaxing the spherical constraint of the source surface and allowing it to be elliptical gives modelers the option of deforming it to more accurately match the physical environment of the specific period or location to be analyzed. Methods. A numerical solver is presented that solves Laplace’s equation on a three-dimensional grid using finite differences. The solver is capable of working on structured spherical grids that can be deformed to create elliptical source surfaces. Results. The configurations of the coronal magnetic field are presented using this new solver. Three-dimensional renderings are complemented by Carrington-like synoptic maps of the magnetic configuration at different heights in the solar corona. Differences in the magnetic configuration computed by the spherical and elliptical models are illustrated.

Calculated Coronal Magnetic Fields and Their Comparison with the Coronal Structures as Observed during Five Solar Eclipses

1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 559-564
Author(s):  
P. Ambrož ◽  
J. Sýkora
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Solar Corona ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Fields ◽  
Solar Eclipses ◽  
Coronal Structures

AbstractWe were successful in observing the solar corona during five solar eclipses (1973-1991). For the eclipse days the coronal magnetic field was calculated by extrapolation from the photosphere. Comparison of the observed and calculated coronal structures is carried out and some peculiarities of this comparison, related to the different phases of the solar cycle, are presented.

Evolution of Large-Scale Coronal Structures

1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
P. Ambrož
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Line ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Source Surface ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Characteristic Relationship ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Coronal Structures

AbstractThe large-scale coronal structures observed during the sporadically visible solar eclipses were compared with the numerically extrapolated field-line structures of coronal magnetic field. A characteristic relationship between the observed structures of coronal plasma and the magnetic field line configurations was determined. The long-term evolution of large scale coronal structures inferred from photospheric magnetic observations in the course of 11- and 22-year solar cycles is described.Some known parameters, such as the source surface radius, or coronal rotation rate are discussed and actually interpreted. A relation between the large-scale photospheric magnetic field evolution and the coronal structure rearrangement is demonstrated.

Radio Measurements of Coronal Magnetic Fields

1994 ◽  
Vol 144 ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Gelfreikh
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Solar Corona ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Coronal Magnetic Field ◽  
Transverse Magnetic ◽  
Radio Sources ◽  
Radio Waves ◽  
Solar Active Regions

AbstractA review of methods of measuring magnetic fields in the solar corona using spectral-polarization observations at microwaves with high spatial resolution is presented. The methods are based on the theory of thermal bremsstrahlung, thermal cyclotron emission, propagation of radio waves in quasi-transverse magnetic field and Faraday rotation of the plane of polarization. The most explicit program of measurements of magnetic fields in the atmosphere of solar active regions has been carried out using radio observations performed on the large reflector radio telescope of the Russian Academy of Sciences — RATAN-600. This proved possible due to good wavelength coverage, multichannel spectrographs observations and high sensitivity to polarization of the instrument. Besides direct measurements of the strength of the magnetic fields in some cases the peculiar parameters of radio sources, such as very steep spectra and high brightness temperatures provide some information on a very complicated local structure of the coronal magnetic field. Of special interest are the results found from combined RATAN-600 and large antennas of aperture synthesis (VLA and WSRT), the latter giving more detailed information on twodimensional structure of radio sources. The bulk of the data obtained allows us to investigate themagnetospheresof the solar active regions as the space in the solar corona where the structures and physical processes are controlled both by the photospheric/underphotospheric currents and surrounding “quiet” corona.

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