188 research outputs found
May 12 1997 Cme Event: I. a Simplified Model of the Pre-Eruptive Magnetic Structure
A simple model of the coronal magnetic field prior to the CME eruption on May
12 1997 is developed. First, the magnetic field is constructed by superimposing
a large-scale background field and a localized bipolar field to model the
active region (AR) in the current-free approximation. Second, this potential
configuration is quasi-statically sheared by photospheric vortex motions
applied to two flux concentrations of the AR. Third, the resulting force-free
field is then evolved by canceling the photospheric magnetic flux with the help
of an appropriate tangential electric field applied to the central part of the
AR.
To understand the structure of the modeled configuration, we use the field
line mapping technique by generalizing it to spherical geometry. It is
demonstrated that the initial potential configuration contains a hyperbolic
flux tube (HFT) which is a union of two intersecting quasi-separatrix layers.
This HFT provides a partition of the closed magnetic flux between the AR and
the global solar magnetic field. The vortex motions applied to the AR interlock
the field lines in the coronal volume to form additionally two new HFTs pinched
into thin current layers. Reconnection in these current layers helps to
redistribute the magnetic flux and current within the AR in the
flux-cancellation phase. In this phase, a magnetic flux rope is formed together
with a bald patch separatrix surface wrapping around the rope. Other important
implications of the identified structural features of the modeled configuration
are also discussed.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures, to appear in ApJ 200
Towards a Realistic, Data-Driven Thermodynamic MHD Model of the Global Solar Corona
In this work we describe our implementation of a thermodynamic energy
equation into the global corona model of the Space Weather Modeling Framework
(SWMF), and its development into the new Lower Corona (LC) model. This work
includes the integration of the additional energy transport terms of coronal
heating, electron heat conduction, and optically thin radiative cooling into
the governing magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy equation. We examine two
different boundary conditions using this model; one set in the upper transition
region (the Radiative Energy Balance model), as well as a uniform chromospheric
condition where the transition region can be modeled in its entirety. Via
observation synthesis from model results and the subsequent comparison to full
sun extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-Ray observations of Carrington
Rotation (CR) 1913 centered on Aug 27, 1996, we demonstrate the need for these
additional considerations when using global MHD models to describe the unique
conditions in the low corona. Through multiple simulations we examine ability
of the LC model to asses and discriminate between coronal heating models, and
find that a relative simple empirical heating model is adequate in reproducing
structures observed in the low corona. We show that the interplay between
coronal heating and electron heat conduction provides significant feedback onto
the 3D magnetic topology in the low corona as compared to a potential field
extrapolation, and that this feedback is largely dependent on the amount of
mechanical energy introduced into the corona.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures, Submitted to ApJ on 12/08/200
Numerical Investigation of a Coronal Mass Ejection from an Anemone Active Region: Reconnection and Deflection of the 2005 August 22 Eruption
We present a numerical investigation of the coronal evolution of a coronal
mass ejection (CME) on 2005 August 22 using a 3-D thermodynamics
magnetohydrodynamic model, the SWMF. The source region of the eruption was
anemone active region (AR) 10798, which emerged inside a coronal hole. We
validate our modeled corona by producing synthetic extreme ultraviolet (EUV)
images, which we compare to EIT images. We initiate the CME with an
out-of-equilibrium flux rope with an orientation and chirality chosen in
agreement with observations of a H-alpha filament. During the eruption, one
footpoint of the flux rope reconnects with streamer magnetic field lines and
with open field lines from the adjacent coronal hole. It yields an eruption
which has a mix of closed and open twisted field lines due to interchange
reconnection and only one footpoint line-tied to the source region. Even with
the large-scale reconnection, we find no evidence of strong rotation of the CME
as it propagates. We study the CME deflection and find that the effect of the
Lorentz force is a deflection of the CME by about 3 deg/Rsun towards the East
during the first 30 minutes of the propagation. We also produce coronagraphic
and EUV images of the CME, which we compare with real images, identifying a
dimming region associated with the reconnection process. We discuss the
implication of our results for the arrival at Earth of CMEs originating from
the limb and for models to explain the presence of open field lines in magnetic
clouds.Comment: 14 pages, 8 Figures, accepted to Astrophysical Journa
Surface Alfven Wave Damping in a 3D Simulation of the Solar Wind
Here we investigate the contribution of surface Alfven wave damping to the
heating of the solar wind in minima conditions. These waves are present in
regions of strong inhomogeneities in density or magnetic field (e. g., the
border between open and closed magnetic field lines). Using a 3-dimensional
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model, we calculate the surface Alfven wave damping
contribution between 1-4 solar radii, the region of interest for both
acceleration and coronal heating. We consider waves with frequencies lower than
those that are damped in the chromosphere and on the order of those dominating
the heliosphere. In the region between open and closed field lines, within a
few solar radii of the surface, no other major source of damping has been
suggested for the low frequency waves we consider here. This work is the first
to study surface Alfven waves in a 3D environment without assuming a priori a
geometry of field lines or magnetic and density profiles. We determine that
waves with frequencies >2.8x10^-4 Hz are damped between 1-4 solar radii. In
quiet sun regions, surface Alfven waves are damped at further distances
compared to active regions, thus carrying additional wave energy into the
corona. We compare the surface Alfven wave contribution to the heating by a
variable polytropic index and find that it an order of magnitude larger than
needed for quiet sun regions. For active regions the contribution to the
heating is twenty percent. As it has been argued that a variable gamma acts as
turbulence, our results indicate that surface Alfven wave damping is comparable
to turbulence in the lower corona. This damping mechanism should be included
self consistently as an energy driver for the wind in global MHD models.Comment: Accepted to ApJ (scheduled September '09), 22 pages, 8 figure
Global MHD Simulations of the Time-Dependent Corona
We describe, test, and apply a technique to incorporate full-sun, surface
flux evolution into an MHD model of the global solar corona. Requiring only
maps of the evolving surface flux, our method is similar to that of Lionello et
al. (2013), but we introduce two ways to correct the electric field at the
lower boundary to mitigate spurious currents. We verify the accuracy of our
procedures by comparing to a reference simulation, driven with known flows and
electric fields. We then present a thermodynamic MHD calculation lasting one
solar rotation driven by maps from the magnetic flux evolution model of
Schrijver & DeRosa (2003). The dynamic, time-dependent nature of the model
corona is illustrated by examining the evolution of the open flux boundaries
and forward modeled EUV emission, which evolve in response to surface flows and
the emergence and cancellation flux. Although our main goal is to present the
method, we briefly investigate the relevance of this evolution to properties of
the slow solar wind, examining the mapping of dipped field lines to the
topological signatures of the "S-Web" and comparing charge state ratios
computed in the time-dependently driven run to a steady state equivalent.
Interestingly, we find that driving on its own does not significantly improve
the charge states ratios, at least in this modest resolution run that injects
minimal helicity. Still, many aspects of the time-dependently driven model
cannot be captured with traditional steady-state methods, and such a technique
may be particularly relevant for the next generation of solar wind and CME
models
The 4.2 ka event in the central Mediterranean: new data from a Corchia speleothem (Apuan Alps, central Italy)
Abstract. We present new data on the 4.2 ka event in the central Mediterranean from
Corchia Cave (Tuscany, central Italy) stalagmite CC27. The stalagmite was
analyzed for stable isotopes (δ13C and δ18O)
and trace elements (Mg, U, P, Y), with all proxies showing a coherent phase
of reduced cave recharge between ca. 4.5 and 4.1 ka BP. Based on the
current climatological data on cyclogenesis, the reduction in cave recharge
is considered to be associated with the weakening of the cyclone center
located in the Gulf of Genoa in response to reduced advection of air masses
from the Atlantic during winter. These conditions, which closely resemble a
positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) type of configuration, are
associated with cooler and wetter summers with reduced sea warming, which
reduced the western Mediterranean evaporation during autumn–early winter,
further reducing precipitation
The new Checklist of the Italian Fauna: marine Mollusca.
The mollusc fauna of the Mediterranean Sea is still considered as the best-known marine mollusc fauna in the world. The previous modern checklists of marine Mollusca were produced by joint teams of amateurs and professionals. During the last years the Italian Society of Malacology (Società Italiana di Malacologia – S.I.M.) maintained an updated version of the Mediterranean checklist, that served as the backbone for the development of the new Italian checklist. According to the current version (updated on April 1st, 2021), 1,777 recognised species of marine molluscs are present in the Italian Economic Exclusive Zone, including also the Tyrrhenian coasts of Corsica and the continental shelf of the Maltese archipelago. The new checklist shows an increase of 17% of the species reported in the 1995 Checklist. This is largely (yet not solely) due to the new wave of studies based on Integrative Taxonomy approaches. A total of 135 species (7.6%) are strictly endemic to the Italian waters; 44 species (2.5%) are alien and correspond to the 28% of the Mediterranean alien marine molluscs. All eight extant molluscan classes are represented. The families represented in the Italian fauna are 307, an increase of 14.6% from the first checklist, partly due to new records and partly to new phylogenetic systematics. Compared with the whole Mediterranean malacofauna, the Italian component represents 71% in species and 61% in families, which makes it a very remarkable part of the Mediterranean fauna
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Assessing the quality of models of the ambient solar wind
In this paper we present an assessment of the status of models of the global Solar Wind in the inner heliosphere. We limit our discussion to the class of models designed to provide solar wind forecasts, excluding those designed for the purpose of testing physical processes in idealized configurations. In addition, we limit our discussion to modeling of the ‘ambient’ wind in the absence of coronal mass ejections. In this assessment we cover use of the models both in forecast mode and as tools for scientific research. We present a brief history of the development of these models, discussing the range of physical approximations in use. We discuss the limitations of the data inputs available to these models and its impact on their quality. We also discuss current model development trends
The Coupled Evolution of Electrons and Ions in Coronal Mass Ejection-driven shocks
We present simulations of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) performed with a new two-temperature coronal model developed at the University of Michigan, which is able to address the coupled thermodynamics of the electron and proton populations in the context of a single fluid. This model employs heat conduction for electrons, constant adiabatic index (γ = 5/3), and includes Alfvén wave pressure to accelerate the solar wind. The Wang-Sheeley-Arge empirical model is used to determine the Alfvén wave pressure necessary to produce the observed bimodal solar wind speed. The Alfvén waves are dissipated as they propagate from the Sun and heat protons on open magnetic field lines to temperatures above 2 MK. The model is driven by empirical boundary conditions that includes GONG magnetogram data to calculate the coronal field, and STEREO /EUVI observations to specify the density and temperature at the coronal boundary by the Differential Emission Measure Tomography method. With this model, we simulate the propagation of fast CMEs and study the thermodynamics of CME-driven shocks. Since the thermal speed of the electrons greatly exceeds the speed of the CME, only protons are directly heated by the shock. Coulomb collisions low in the corona couple the protons and electrons allowing heat exchange between the two species. However, the coupling is so brief that the electrons never achieve more than 10% of the maximum temperature of the protons. We find that heat is able to conduct on open magnetic field lines and rapidly propagates ahead of the CME to form a shock precursor of hot electrons.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98571/1/0004-637X_756_1_81.pd
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Extratropical cyclones and the projected decline of winter Mediterranean precipitation in the CMIP5 models
The Mediterranean region has been identified as a climate change "hot-spot" due to a projected reduction in precipitation and fresh water availability which has potentially large socio-economic impacts. To increase confidence in these projections, it is important to physically understand how this precipitation reduction occurs. This study quantifies the impact on winter Mediterranean precipitation due to changes in extratropical cyclones in 17 CMIP5 climate models. In each model, the extratropical cyclones are objectively tracked and a simple approach is applied to identify the precipitation associated to each cyclone. This allows us to decompose the Mediterranean precipitation reduction into a contribution due to changes in the number of cyclones and a contribution due to changes in the amount of precipitation generated by each cyclone. The results show that the projected Mediterranean precipitation reduction in winter is strongly related to a decrease in the number of Mediterranean cyclones. However, the contribution from changes in the amount of precipitation generated by each cyclone are also locally important: in the East Mediterranean they amplify the precipitation trend due to the reduction in the number of cyclones, while in the North Mediterranean they compensate for it. Some of the processes that determine the opposing cyclone precipitation intensity responses in the North and East Mediterranean regions are investigated by exploring the CMIP5 inter-model spread
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