No Arabic abstract
We present simulations modeling closed regions of the solar corona threaded by a strong magnetic field where localized photospheric vortical motions twist the coronal field lines. The linear and nonlinear dynamics are investigated in the reduced magnetohydrodynamic regime in Cartesian geometry. Initially the magnetic field lines get twisted and the system becomes unstable to the internal kink mode, confirming and extending previous results. As typical in this kind of investigations, where initial conditions implement smooth fields and flux-tubes, we have neglected fluctuations and the fields are laminar until the instability sets in. But previous investigations indicate that fluctuations, excited by photospheric motions and coronal dynamics, are naturally present at all scales in the coronal fields. Thus, in order to understand the effect of a photospheric vortex on a more realistic corona, we continue the simulations after kink instability sets in, when turbulent fluctuations have already developed in the corona. In the nonlinear stage the system never returns to the simple initial state with ordered twisted field lines, and kink instability does not occur again. Nevertheless field lines get twisted, but in a disordered way, and energy accumulates at large scales through an inverse cascade. This energy can subsequently be released in micro-flares or larger flares, when interaction with neighboring structures occurs or via other mechanisms. The impact on coronal dynamics and CMEs initiation is discussed.
We investigate the dynamics of a closed corona cartesian reduced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model where photospheric vortices twist the coronal magnetic field lines. We consider two corotating or counter-rotating vortices localized at the center of the photospheric plate, and additionally more corotating vortices that fill the plate entirely. Our investigation is specifically devoted to study the fully nonlinear stage, after the linear stage during which the vortices create laminar and smoothly twisting flux tubes. Our main goal is to understand the dynamics of photospheric vortices twisting the field lines of a coronal magnetic field permeated by finite amplitude broadband fluctuations. We find that depending on the arrangement and handedness of the photospheric vortices an inverse cascade storing a significant amount of magnetic energy may occur or not. In the first case a reservoir of magnetic energy available to large events such as destabilization of a pre-CME configuration develops, while in the second case the outcome is a turbulent heated corona. Although our geometry is simplified our simulations are shown to have relevant implications for coronal dynamics and CME initiation.
We present analysis of C7.0 solar flare of Febrary 17, 2013, revealing a strong helioseismic response (sunquake) caused by a very compact impact in the photosphere. This is the weakest known C-class flare generating a sunquake event. To investigate possible mechanisms of this event, and to understand the role of accelerated charged particles and photospheric electric currents, we use data from three space observatories: Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI), Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). We find that the photospheric flare impact does not spatially correspond to the strongest HXR emission source, but both of these events are parts of the same energy release. Our analysis reveals a close association of the flare energy release with a rapid increase of the electric currents, and suggests that the sunquake initiation is unlikely to be explained by the impact of high-energy electrons but may be associated with a rapid current dissipation or a localized impulsive Lorentz force.
This paper presents an overview of some recent observational and theoretical results on solar flares, with an emphasis on flare impulsive-phase chromospheric properties, including: electron diagnostics, optical and UV emission, and discoveries made by the Hinode mission, especially in the EUV. A brief perspective on future observations and theoretical requirements is also given
Solar eruptions are spectacular magnetic explosions in the Suns corona, and how they are initiated remains unclear. Prevailing theories often rely on special magnetic topologies that may not generally exist in the pre-eruption source region of corona. Here, using fully three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations with high accuracy, we show that solar eruptions can be initiated in a single bipolar configuration with no additional special topology. Through photospheric shearing motion alone, an electric current sheet forms in the highly sheared core field of the magnetic arcade during its quasi-static evolution. Once magnetic reconnection sets in, the whole arcade is expelled impulsively, forming a fast-expanding twisted flux rope with a highly turbulent reconnecting region underneath. The simplicity and efficacy of this scenario argue strongly for its fundamental importance in the initiation of solar eruptions.
We study flare processes in the lower solar atmosphere using observational data for a M1-class flare of June 12, 2014, obtained by New Solar Telescope (NST/BBSO) and Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI/SDO). The main goal is to understand triggers and manifestations of the flare energy release in the lower layers of the solar atmosphere (the photosphere and chromosphere) using high-resolution optical observations and magnetic field measurements. We analyze optical images, HMI Dopplergrams and vector magnetograms, and use Non-Linear Force-Free Field (NLFFF) extrapolations for reconstruction of the magnetic topology. The NLFFF modelling reveals interaction of oppositely directed magnetic flux-tubes in the PIL. These two interacting magnetic flux tubes are observed as a compact sheared arcade along the PIL in the high-resolution broad-band continuum images from NST. In the vicinity of the PIL, the NST H alpha observations reveal formation of a thin three-ribbon structure corresponding to the small-scale photospheric magnetic arcade. Presented observational results evidence in favor of location of the primary energy release site in the dense chromosphere where plasma is partially ionized in the region of strong electric currents concentrated near the polarity inversion line. Magnetic reconnection may be triggered by two interacting magnetic flux tubes with forming current sheet elongated along the PIL.