Vector magnetogram and dopplergram observation of magnetic flux emergence and its explanation

During 23–28 August 1988, at the Huairou Solar Observation Station of Beijing Observatory, the full development process of the region HR 88059 was observed. It emerged near the center of the solar disk and formed a medium active region. A complete series of vector magnetograms and photospheric and chromospheric Dopplergrams was obtained. From an analysis of these data, combined with some numerical simulations, the following conclusions can be drawn. (1) The emergence of new magnetic flux from enhanced networks followed by sunspot formation is an interesting physical process which can be simply described by MHD numerical simulation. The phenomena accompanying it occur according to a definite law summarized by Zwaan (1985). The condition for gas cooling and sunspot formation seems to be transverse field strength > 50 G together with longitudinal field strength > 700 G. For a period of 4 to 5 hours, the orientation of the transverse field shows little change. The configuration of field lines may be derived from vector magnetograms. The arch filament system can be recognized as an MHD shock. (2) New opposite bipolar features emerge within the former bipolar field with an identical strength which will develop a sunspot group complex. Also, arch filament systems appear there located in the position of flux emergence. The neutral line is often pushed aside and curved, leading to faculae heating and the formation of a current sheet. In spite of complicated Dopplergrams, the same phenomena occur at the site of flux emergence as usual: upward flow appears at the location of the emerging and rapidly varying flux near the magnetic neutral line, and downdraft occurs over large parts of the legs of the emerging flux tubes. The age of magnetic emerging flux (or a sunspot) can be estimated in terms of transverse field strengths: when 50 G < transverse field < 200 G, the longitudinal magnetogram and Dopplergram change rapidly, which indicates a rigourously emerging magnetic flux. When the transverse field is between 200 and 400 G, the area concerned is in middle age, and some of the new flux is still emerging there. When the transverse field > 400 G, the variation of the longitudinal magnetogram slows down and the emerging arch becomes relatively stable and a photospheric Evershed flow forms at the penumbra of the sunspot.     

Numerical experiments on the evolution in coronal magnetic configurations including a filament in response to the change in the photosphere

We investigate equilibrium height of a flux rope, and its internal equilibrium in a realistic plasma environment by carrying out numerical simulations of the evolution of systems including a current-carrying flux rope. We find that the equilibrium height of a flux rope is approximately described by a power-law function of the relative strength of the background field. Our simulations indicate that the flux rope can escape more easily from a weaker background field. This further confirms that a catastrophe in the magnetic configuration of interest can be triggered by a decrease in strength of the background field. Our results show that it takes some time to reach internal equilibrium depending on the initial state of the flux rope. The plasma flow inside the flux rope due to the adjustment for the internal equilibrium of the flux rope remains small and does not last very long when the initial state of the flux rope commences from the stable branch of the theoretical equilibrium curve. This work also confirms the influence of the initial radius of the flux rope in its evolution; the results indicate that a flux rope with a larger initial radius erupts more easily. In addition, by using a realistic plasma environment and a much higher resolution in our simulations,we notice some different characteristics compared to previous studies in Forbes.     

Two- and three-dimensional numerical simulations of accretion discs in a close binary system

We perform 2D and 3D numerical simulations of an accretion disc in a close binary system using the simplified flux vector splitting (SFS) finite volume method. In our calculations, the gas is assumed to be ideal with γ =1.01, 1.05, 1.1 and 1.2 . The mass ratio of the mass-losing star to the mass-accreting star is unity. Our results show that spiral shocks are formed on the accretion disc in all cases. In 2D calculations we find that the smaller γ is, the more tightly the spiral winds. We observe this trend in 3D calculations as well in a somewhat weaker sense. Mach numbers in our discs are less than 10. These values are lower than the values in observed accretion discs in close binary systems.
Recently, Steeghs, Harlaftis & Horne found the first convincing evidence for spiral structure in the accretion disc of the eclipsing dwarf nova binary IP Pegasi, using the technique known as Doppler tomography. Although the Mach numbers in present calculations are rather low, we may claim that the spiral structure that we discovered in earlier numerical simulations is now found observationally.     

Equatorial magnetic helicity flux in simulations with different gauges

We use direct numerical simulations of forced MHD turbulence with a forcing function that produces two different signs of kinetic helicity in the upper and lower parts of the domain. We show that the mean flux of magnetic helicity from the small‐scale field between the two parts of the domain can be described by a Fickian diffusion law with a diffusion coefficient that is approximately independent of the magnetic Reynolds number and about one third of the estimated turbulent magnetic diffusivity. The data suggest that the turbulent diffusive magnetic helicity flux can only be expected to alleviate catastrophic quenching at Reynolds numbers of more than several thousands. We further calculate the magnetic helicity density and its flux in the domain for three different gauges. We consider the Weyl gauge, in which the electrostatic potential vanishes, the pseudo‐Lorenz gauge, where the speed of light is replaced by the sound speed, and the ‘resistive gauge’ in which the Laplacian of the magnetic vector potential acts as a resistive term. We find that, in the statistically steady state, the time‐averaged magnetic helicity density and the magnetic helicity flux are the same in all three gauges (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

新浮磁流触发暗条爆发的统计研究

观测研究表明有利于磁重联的新浮磁流与日冕物质抛射(CME)有密切关系．利用数值模拟的方法,新浮磁流触发CME的物理模型对观测结果进行了物理解释．基于这种模型,不考虑重力和热传导, 2．5维的数值模拟的理论结果显示:是否能够触发暗条爆发及CME,取决于新浮磁流磁通量的大小、浮现的位置以及其磁极走向,并给出了能够触发暗条爆发与不能触发爆发的参数空间．利用2002年和2003年的15个暗条爆发事例以及2002年的44个非爆发事例,对新浮磁流磁通量的大小、浮现的位置以及磁极走向进行了统计研究．结果表明并非所有的新浮磁流都能够使暗条失去平衡,形成CME．统计结果基本上支持了数值模拟的理论结果．这个结果可为空间天气预报研究提供有用的参考信息．     

The Creation of Outflowing Plasma in the Corona at Emerging Flux Regions: Comparing Observations and Simulations

In this paper we analyse the flux emergence that occurred in the following polarity area of an active region on 1 – 2 December 2006. Observations have revealed the existence of fast outflows at the edge of the emerging flux region. We have performed 3-D numerical simulations to study the mechanisms responsible for these flows. The results indicate that these outflows are reconnection jets or pressure-driven outflows, depending on the relative orientation of the magnetic fields in contact (i.e. the emerging flux and the active region’s field which is favourable for reconnection on the west side and nearly parallel with the pre-existing field on the east side of the emerging flux). In the observations, the flows are larger on the west side until late in the flux emergence, when the reverse is true. The simulations show that the flows are faster on the west side, but do not show the east flows increasing with time. There is an asymmetry in the expansion of the emerging flux region, which is also seen in the observations. The west side of the emerging flux region expands faster into the corona than the other side. In the simulations, efficient magnetic reconnection occurs on the west side, with new loops being created containing strong downflows that are clearly seen in the observations. On the other side, the simulations show strong compression as the dominant mechanism for the generation of flows. There is evidence of these flows in the observations, but the flows are stronger than the simulations predict at the later stages. There could be additional small-angle reconnection that adds to the flows from the compression, as well as reconnection occurring in larger loops that lie across the whole active region.     

Velocity of the local interstellar medium relative to the sun from interstellar helium flux measurements onboard the Ulysses and IBEX spacecraft

The question of determining the relative velocity of the local interstellar medium (LISM) based on direct interstellar helium flux measurements in the Solar system is considered. Such measurements were made onboard the Ulysses spacecraft in 1990–2007 at a distance of 2–5 AU from the Sun and have been made from 2009 to the present day onboard the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft at the Earth’s orbit. Recent works on analyzing the IBEX measurements have shown that the LISM velocity relative to the Sun determined from the IBEX data differs in magnitude (by ≈3 km s^?1) and direction (by ≈4°) from the LISM velocity obtained previously by Witte based on Ulysses measurements. We have modeled the Ulysses data (including the 2007 data that have not been considered previously by anybody) by taking into account various LISM velocity vectors and compare our numerical simulations with experimental data. The LISM velocity vector derived from the IBEX data is shown to contradict the Ulysses data in the position of the measured interstellar helium flux maximum on the sky map. In addition, the position of the flux maximum is shown to be determined exclusively by the LISM velocity vector and to be independent of other model parameters (the LISM temperature and ionization rate). This means that the Ulysses data (including the 2007 data obtained only two years before the IBEX measurements) cannot be explained in terms of the existing models with the LISM velocity vector from the IBEX data. Possible reasons for the detected contradictions are discussed.     

Spatially intermittent fields in photospheric magnetoconvection

Motivated by recent high-resolution observations of the solar surface, we investigate the problem of non-linear magnetoconvection in a three-dimensional compressible layer. We present results from a set of numerical simulations which model the situation in which there is a weak imposed magnetic field. This weak-field regime is characterized by vigorous granular convection and spatially intermittent magnetic field structures. When the imposed field is very weak, magnetic flux tends to accumulate at the edges of the convective cells, where it forms compact, almost 'point-like' structures which are reminiscent of those observed in the quiet Sun. If the imposed field is slightly stronger, there is a tendency for magnetic flux to become concentrated into 'ribbon-like' structures which are comparable to those observed in solar plages. The dependence of these simulations upon the strength of the imposed magnetic field is analysed in detail, and the concept of the fractal dimension is used to make a further, more quantitative comparison between these simulations and photospheric observations.     

The Evolution of the Sun's Open Magnetic Flux – II. Full Solar Cycle Simulations

In this paper the origin and evolution of the Sun's open magnetic flux is considered by conducting magnetic flux transport simulations over many solar cycles. The simulations include the effects of differential rotation, meridional flow and supergranular diffusion on the radial magnetic field at the surface of the Sun as new magnetic bipoles emerge and are transported poleward. In each cycle the emergence of roughly 2100 bipoles is considered. The net open flux produced by the surface distribution is calculated by constructing potential coronal fields with a source surface from the surface distribution at regular intervals. In the simulations the net open magnetic flux closely follows the total dipole component at the source surface and evolves independently from the surface flux. The behaviour of the open flux is highly dependent on meridional flow and many observed features are reproduced by the model. However, when meridional flow is present at observed values the maximum value of the open flux occurs at cycle minimum when the polar caps it helps produce are the strongest. This is inconsistent with observations by Lockwood, Stamper and Wild (1999) and Wang, Sheeley, and Lean (2000) who find the open flux peaking 1–2 years after cycle maximum. Only in unrealistic simulations where meridional flow is much smaller than diffusion does a maximum in open flux consistent with observations occur. It is therefore deduced that there is no realistic parameter range of the flux transport variables that can produce the correct magnitude variation in open flux under the present approximations. As a result the present standard model does not contain the correct physics to describe the evolution of the Sun's open magnetic flux over an entire solar cycle. Future possible improvements in modeling are suggested.     

Access of solar electrons to the polar regions

The interaction between the geomagnetic and interplanetary magnetic fields is studied through its effects upon the intensities of solar electrons reaching the polar caps during times of strongly anisotropic electron fluxes in the magnetosheath. During the particle event of 18 November 1968, electrons of solar origin were observed outside the magnetopause with detectors aboard OGO-5. This is the only case on record for which high resolution directional flux observations are available for determining in detail the electron angular distribution, and thus the electron density in the magnetosheath. Correlative studies of these satellite observations and concurrent measurements by riometers and ionospheric forward scatter systems in both polar regions have revealed that the initial stage of the associated Polar Cap Absorption event is attributable to the prompt arrival of solar electrons. The electron flux precipitating into the south polar region was equal to or larger than the mean directional flux in interplanetary space, whereas over the north pole it was equal to or less than the backscattered flux. This evidence of a north-south asymmetry in the solar electron flux at a time when the interplanetary magnetic field vector was nearly parallel with the ecliptic plane supports an open magnetospheric model. The ratio of particle intensities in the High Polar Latitude and Low Polar Latitude regions in the southern hemisphere is consistent with that determined at times when the interplanetary electron fluxes were isotropic. The analysis indicates that an anisotropic electron flux may be isotropized at the magnetopause before propagating into the polar regions.     

A Statistical Study on the Filament Eruption Caused by New Emerging Flux

Observations indicated that solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are closely asociated with reconnection-favored new flux emergence. By means of numerial simulations, a physical model of the emerging flux trigger mechanism for CMEs is proposed and explained well the observational results. Based upon this model, leaving the gravity and heat conduction out of consideration, the theoretical results of 2.5 dimensional numerical simulations indicate that whether a CME can be triggered depends on both the amount and the location of an emerging flux, besides its polarity orientation. Furthermore, the eruption and non-eruption regimes are presented in parameter space. By use of 15 filament eruption events in 2002 and 2003 and 44 non-eruption events in 2002, the results of a statistical study on the properties of emerging flux including its polarity orientation, its location and the amount of flux show that not all the emerging flux can make a filament to lose equilibrium and trigger the onset of a CME, The statistic results basically support the theoretical results of numerical simulations. This research provides useful information for the space weather forecast.     

The Evolution of Trailing Plumes from Active Regions

We have studied the evolution of several high-latitude flux `plumes', i.e., unipolar regions, trailing from active regions which emerged near sunspot maximum in cycle 23. The observed patterns are compared with simulations using a simple flux transport equation based on the observed flux for an earlier Carrington rotation. In addition to the long recognized poleward migration and diffusion of flux from active regions, it is found that the evolution of the trailing plumes may be influenced by flux which emerges above latitude 35° over areas of all scales. We describe two cases in which the emerging flux appears in the form of bipolar flux patterns which are not obviously related to sunspots. Further, we find instances in which the observed surface flux decreases or spreads at rates which cannot be explained solely in terms of diffusion using the normally accepted rates. Thus in several cases the poleward migration of flux cannot be described in terms of passive transport by advection and diffusion as considered here, and further investigation of the processes that contribute to the evolution of the polar fields is required.     

The three-dimensional breakup of a magnetic layer

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of the instability of a layer of magnetic field caused by magnetic buoyancy are carried out over a range of parameter values. The layer breaks up into a number of interlocking magnetic flux tubes that become increasingly three-dimensional, although strongly arched flux tubes are not observed. The introduction of background rotation has the principal effect of suppressing the instability. The α -effect, which measures the twist of the flux tubes induced by the rotation, is found to be positive (in the northern hemisphere) but small in magnitude.     

A Parametric Survey of the CME Triggering Process by Numerical Simulations

Observations indicate that solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are closely associated with reconnection-favored flux emergence, which was explained in the emerging flux trigger mechanism for CMEs by Chen & Shibata based on numerical simulations. We present a parametric survey of the triggering agent: its polarity orientation, position, and the amount of the unsigned flux. The results suggest that whether a CME can be triggered depends on both the amount and location of the emerging flux, in addition to its polarity orientation. A diagram is presented to show the eruption and non-eruption regimes in the parameter space. The work is aimed at providing useful information for the space weather forecast.     

Evolution of Magnetic Nonpotentiality in NOAA AR 9077

Based on photospheric vector magnetograms obtained at Huairou Solar Observing Station, we have studied the evolution of magnetic nonpotentiality in NOAA AR 9077 from 11 to 15 July 2000. We focus our analysis on the daily change of nonpotential characteristics in the photospheric magnetic field preceding the `Bastille Day' flare. We have identified the following evolving patterns: (1) The shear-angle distribution underwent dramatic change in the filament channel. At a key site of the filament environment, the magnetic shear changed sign from positive to negative. (2) The old current systems disrupted, and new but weaker systems formed before this major event. Similar changes are identified for the longitudinal current helicity. (3) The source field weakened before the flare, and the density of free magnetic energy decreased at the photospheric level. These obvious changes lasted at least nine hours before the `Bastille Day' flare, and they took place where a large amount of magnetic flux disappeared in magnetic flux cancellation. The site of dramatic changes is also found to coincide with the base of helical magnetic ropes which were seen in a 3-D force-free reconstruction. We suggest that the observed evolution of the magnetic nonpotentiality represents a continuous transportation of magnetic energy and complexity from the lower atmosphere to the corona. This transportation seems to be responsible for the energy build-up for the major flare. Moreover, the slow magnetic reconnection in the lower atmosphere, observed as magnetic flux cancellation, appears to play a key role in this energy build-up process. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1014258426134     

The reversal of the solar polar magnetic fields

It is a basic feature of the Babcock-Leighton model of the solar cycle that the polar field reversal is due to the diffusive decay and poleward drift of the active region fields. The flux from follower regions moves preferentially polewards in each hemisphere, where it cancels with, and then replaces, the previously existing polar fields. A number of workers have attempted to model this process by numerical solutions of the flux transport equation, which include the surface effects of supergranule diffusion, differential rotation and meridional flow, with conflicting results.Here we describe recent changes in the polar fields using synoptic magnetic data provided by the Mount Wilson Observatory, and compare them with simulations using the flux transport equation and based on the observed fields for Carrington rotation 1815. These changes include a part-reversal of the north polar field. It is shown that the evolution of the polar fields cannot be reproduced accurately by simulations of the diffusion and poleward drift of the emerging active regions at sunspot latitudes.Histograms of the distribution of the field intensities derived from the daily magnetograms obtained at the Kitt Peak Station of the National Solar Observatory provide independent evidence that flux is emerging at high latitudes and that this flux makes a contribution to the evolution of these patterns. This implies the presence of some form of sub-surface dynamo action at high latitudes.On leave from the School of Mathematics, University of Sydney.     

The reversal of the solar polar magnetic fields

Observations of the first major active regions and large-scale magnetic field patterns of Cycle 22 are presented. These show that, following the emergence of a trans-equatorial pattern, or cell, of positive flux related to old cycle activity, the first new cycle active regions of the longitude range emerged across the neutral lines of this cell, which continued to grow and expand across the equator for several rotations. The development of a parallel trans-equatorial band of flux of opposite (negative) polarity and the emergence of both new and old cycle active regions across a neutral line of this cell are also described.Simulations using the flux transport equation, and based on synoptic magnetic data provided by the Mount Wilson Observatory, show that, while the growth of the positive region could, in part, be explained by the decay of flux from these new regions, there were significant differences between synoptic contour charts based on the simulations and those constructed from the observed fields. They also show that the development of the negative region cannot reasonably be explained by the decay of the observed active regions.A further example of the counter rotation of decaying active region fields is reported. Here the initial tilt of the negative-positive magnetic axes of two adjacent regions is normal, and simulations based on these data show their combined follower flux moving preferentially polewards. However, the observations show that, after three rotations, the decaying leader flux is entirely poleward of the follower flux.On leave from the School of Mathematics, University of Sydney.     

Conductive flux in the chromosphere derived from line linear polarization observation

Linear polarization in two chromospheric lines (Hα and SI 1437 A) was observed in the gradual phase of solar flares. The polarized electric vector is directed towards disk center. This polarization could be due to collisional excitation of hydrogen and SI by energetic electrons beamed in the vertical direction. Direct excitation by a highly energetic beam of electrons of order 10–100 keV. is doubtful. The heat flux in the region connecting the transition zone to the high chromosphere during the gradual phase of a flare could lead to an anisotropic excitation. Selecting a function which represents the velocity distribution of electrons carrying heat flux, the relationship between conductive heat flux and linear line polarization has been computed. The application of the relationship between linear polarization and heat flux to the observed degree of polarization leads to the determination of the conductive heat flux in the high chromosphere. This conductive flux is of the order of magnitude of the total radiation loss in the chromosphere and below, which is also of the order of magnitude of the conductive flux in the transition zone.     

Simulating Astrophysical Jets in Laboratory Experiments

Pulsed-power technology and appropriate boundary conditions have been used to create simulations of magnetically driven astrophysical jets in a laboratory experiment. The experiments are quite reproducible and involve a distinct sequence. Eight initial flux tubes, corresponding to eight gas injection locations, merge to form the jet, which lengthens, collimates, and eventually kinks. A model developed to explain the collimation process predicts that collimation is intimately related to convection and pile-up of frozen-in toroidal flux convected with the jet. The pile-up occurs when there is an axial non-uniformity in the jet velocity so that in the frame of the jet there appears to be a converging flow of plasma carrying frozen-in toroidal magnetic flux. The pile-up of convected flux at this “stagnation region” amplifies the toroidal magnetic field and increases the pinch force, thereby collimating the jet.