3-D MHD simulation of the generation of a shell current loop with closure current

We present results for the generation process of a shell current loop by using a three-dimensional ideal MHD code. It is shown that a shell current loop with a diffuse closure current can be generated due to the twisting motions of the loop footpoints. It is also shown that during the generation of a shell current loop, plasma density enhancement propagates along a shell current loop. It is suggested that the generation process of a shell current loop may be related to the movement of soft X-ray enhancement from the footpoints along a loop before onset of a solar flare.     

Carbon,nitrogen and sulfur in lunar fines 15012 and 15013: abundances,distributions and isotopic compositions

Lunar fines 15012,16 and 15013,3 were analyzed by stepwise pyrolysis and acid hydrolysis as well as complete combustion in oxygen to determine carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. In addition, hydrogen was analysed during pyrolysis as well as during hydrolysis. In the former case, it was released by mineral grains to which it was adsorbed or from cavities within which it had been captured. Hydrogen released during hydrolysis had largely resulted from dissolution of metallic iron.By comparison of the distribution frequencies of C, N, S, H₂ and Fe with ⁴He, considered to have arisen from solar wind contribution, it is concluded that nitrogen and hydrogen have largely a solar origin. Carbon has a significant solar contribution, and metallic iron may have resulted from solar wind interaction with ferrous minerals on the lunar surface. Sulfur probably has a predominantly lunar origin. There is no direct evidence for meteoritic contribution to these samples.Solar wind interaction also has a marked effect on the stable isotope distribution of ¹³C/¹²C, ¹⁵N/¹⁴N, and ³⁴S/³²S. In all cases, the heavy isotope was most enriched in the smallest grain-size fraction. During stepwise pyrolysis, CH₄, CO₂, CO and N₂ were obtained at different temperatures and displayed different isotopic ratios. The carbon fraction most enriched in ¹³C, was CH₄ liberated at 600–800°C with $\text{δ}{}^{13}\text{C = +45.7\%.}$. Between 400 and 600°C, N₂ was liberated with (δ¹⁵N ≈ +119% and at 600–800°C, N₂ was liberated with $\text{δ}{}^{15}\text{N = +75\%.}$ relative to terrestrial atmospheric nitrogen.     

3-D MHD simulation of plasmoid formation during coalescence of two current loops

We consider two force-free current loops, as proposed by Gold and Hoyle (1960), as the initial current loops, to investigate two types of the magnetic reconnection process, the partial and complete reconnections during coalescence of these loops, by using a 3-D resistive MHD code. It is shown that two plasmoids can be produced on both sides of the coalescence area by both types of the magnetic reconnection process during coalescence of two current loops. It is also shown that strong fast magnetosonic waves can be induced in the partial reconnection case of two-current-loop collision. When two current loops collide locally at two points, four plasmoids can be produced and two of these plasmoids merge into one.     

Formation of fast magnetosonic shock waves during a two-current-loop collision in solar flares

We present a numerical simulation of the fast magnetosonic shock wave formation during a two-current-loop collision by using a magnetohydrodynamical model. It is shown that the rarefaction waves are generated in the initial stage when the two current loops start to collide. After the rarefaction waves propagate away from the excited region, the fast magnetosonic waves with density enhancement can be produced for the simulation when the current strength of the loop is weak. As the current becomes strong enough, the magnetosonic shock waves can be generated in the direction perpendicular to that of the two-loop collision.     

Propagation Speed of a Magnetic Flux-tube Soliton with Electric Current

We present some results of a magnetic flux-tube soliton propagating along a current loop surrounded by a weakly ionized plasma, by using a 3-D Neutral-MHD simulation code. When the velocity of mass flows outside the current loop exceeds about 0.6_A, the magnetic pulse behaves as an isolated string wave which is called a curved soliton, propagating with a velocity less than that one of exterior mass flow. The propagation speed of the magnetic flux-tube soliton is studied by changing the intensity of the electric current along the flux tube, which usually cannot be observed directly. It is found that the soliton speed decreases proportionally to the increment of the electric current, and the speed is independent of the direction of the electric current. We can estimate the current intensity inside a magnetic flux-tube soliton by observations of the soliton speed and the external plasma flow velocity. These results should be compared with recent high-resolution observations of moving magnetic features (MMFs) observed near sunspots.