Solar cycle

The Sun’s magnetic field drives the solar wind and produces space weather. It also acts as the prototype for an understanding of other stars and their planetary environments. Plasma motions in the solar interior provide the dynamo action that generates the solar magnetic field. At the solar surface, this is evident as an approximately 11-year cycle in the number and position of visible sunspots. This solar cycle is manifest in virtually all observable solar parameters, from the occurrence of the smallest detected magnetic features on the Sun to the size of the bubble in interstellar space that is carved out by the solar wind. Moderate to severe space-weather effects show a strong solar cycle variation. However, it is a matter of debate whether extreme space-weather follows from the 11-year cycle. Each 11-year solar cycle is actually only half of a solar magnetic “Hale” cycle, with the configuration of the Sun’s large-scale magnetic field taking approximately 22 years to repeat. At the start of a new solar cycle, sunspots emerge at mid-latitude regions with an orientation that opposes the dominant large-scale field, leading to an erosion of the polar fields. As the cycle progresses, sunspots emerge at lower latitudes. Around solar maximum, the polar field polarity reverses, but the sunspot orientation remains the same, leading to a build-up of polar field strength that peaks at the start of the next cycle. Similar magnetic cyclicity has recently been inferred at other stars

Investigating the Dynamics and Density Evolution of Returning Plasma Blobs from the 2011 June 7 Eruption

This work examines infalling matter following an enormous Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on 2011 June 7. The material formed discrete concentrations, or blobs, in the corona and fell back to the surface, appearing as dark clouds against the bright corona. In this work we examined the density and dynamic evolution of these blobs in order to formally assess the intriguing morphology displayed throughout their descent. The blobs were studied in five wavelengths (94, 131, 171, 193 and 211 \AA) using the Solar Dynamics Observatory Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA), comparing background emission to attenuated emission as a function of wavelength to calculate column densities across the descent of four separate blobs. We found the material to have a column density of hydrogen of approximately 2 $\times$ 10$^{19}$ cm$^{-2}$, which is comparable with typical pre-eruption filament column densities. Repeated splitting of the returning material is seen in a manner consistent with the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Furthermore, the observed distribution of density and its evolution are also a signature of this instability. By approximating the three-dimensional geometry (with data from STEREO-A), volumetric densities were found to be approximately 2 $\times$ 10$^{-14}$ g cm$^{-3}$, and this, along with observed dominant length-scales of the instability, was used to infer a magnetic field of the order 1 G associated with the descending blobs.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Eruption of a Kink-Unstable Filament in Active Region NOAA 10696

We present rapid-cadence Transition Region And Coronal Explorer (TRACE) observations which show evidence of a filament eruption from active region NOAA 10696, accompanied by an X2.5 flare, on 2004 November 10. The eruptive filament, which manifests as a fast coronal mass ejection some minutes later, rises as a kinking structure with an apparently exponential growth of height within TRACE's field of view. We compare the characteristics of this filament eruption with MHD numerical simulations of a kink-unstable magnetic flux rope, finding excellent qualitative agreement. We suggest that, while tether weakening by breakout-like quadrupolar reconnection may be the release mechanism for the previously confined flux rope, the driver of the expansion is most likely the MHD helical kink instability.Comment: Accepted by ApJ Letters. 4 figures (Fig. 3 in two parts). For MPEG files associated with Figure 1, see: http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/~drw/papers/kink/ktrace.mpg http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/~drw/papers/kink/kmdi.mpg http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/~drw/papers/kink/ksimu.mp

Detection of Stellar-like Abundance Anomalies in the Slow Solar Wind

The elemental composition of the Sun's hot atmosphere, the corona, shows a distinctive pattern that is different from the underlying surface or photosphere. Elements that are easy to ionize in the chromosphere are enhanced in abundance in the corona compared to their photospheric values. A similar pattern of behavior is often observed in the slow-speed (<500 km s−1) solar wind and in solar-like stellar coronae, while a reversed effect is seen in M dwarfs. Studies of the inverse effect have been hampered in the past because only unresolved (point-source) spectroscopic data were available for these stellar targets. Here we report the discovery of several inverse events observed in situ in the slow solar wind using particle-counting techniques. These very rare events all occur during periods of high solar activity that mimic conditions more widespread on M dwarfs. The detections allow a new way of connecting the slow wind to its solar source and are broadly consistent with theoretical models of abundance variations due to chromospheric fast-mode waves with amplitudes of 8–10 km s−1, sufficient to accelerate the solar wind. The results imply that M-dwarf winds are dominated by plasma depleted in easily ionized elements and lend credence to previous spectroscopic measurements

Evolution and decay of an active region: Magnetic shear, flare and CME activity

Desde abril de 1996 y hasta febrero de 1997, se observó en el disco solar un complejo de actividad. Este complejo exhibió su nivel más alto de actividad durante el nacimiento de la región activa (AR) 7978. Nuestro análisis se extiende a lo largo de seis rotaciones solares, desde la aparición de AR 7978 (julio de 1996) hasta el decaimiento y dispersión de su flujo (noviembre de 1996). Los datos en varias longitudes de onda provistas por los instrumentos a bordo del Solar and heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) y del satélite japonés Yohkoh, nos permiten seguir la evolución de la región desde la fotosfera hasta la corona. Usando los magnetogramas del disco completo obtenidos por el Michelson Doppler Imager (SOHO/MDI) como condiciones de contorno, calculamos el campo magnético coronal y determinamos su apartamiento de la potencialidad ajustando las líneas de campo calculadas a los arcos observados en rayos X blandos. Discutimos la evolución de la torsión del campo magnético coronal y su probable relación con la actividad observada en forma de eyecciones de masa coronal (CMEs) y fulguraciones.An activity complex was observed on the solar disk between April, 1996 and February, 1997 that reached its highest level of activity during the birth of AR 7978. Our observations extend over six solar rotations, from the emergence of AR 7978 (July 1996) until the decay and dispersion of its flux (November 1996). Multi-wavelength observations, provided by instruments aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Japanese spacecraft Yohkoh, follow the evolution of the region from the photosphere to the corona. Using full disk magnetograms obtained by the Michelson Doppler Imager (SOHO/MDI) as boundary condition, we calculate the coronal magnetic field and determine its shear by fitting the computed field lines to the observed soft X-ray loops. We discuss the evolution of the coronal field shear and its probable relation to flare and coronal mass ejection activity.Fil: Mandrini, Cristina Hemilse. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: van Driel Gesztelyi, Lidia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Observatoire de Paris; FranciaFil: Thompson, B.. National Aeronautics And Space Administration; Estados UnidosFil: Plunkett, S. P.. Spece Sciences División. Naval Research Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Démoulin, Pascal. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Observatoire de Paris; FranciaFil: Aulanier, G.. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Observatoire de Paris; Franci

A slow coronal mass ejection with rising X-ray source

An eruptive event, which occurred on 16th April 2002, is discussed. Using images from the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) at 195 Å, we observe a lifting flux rope which gives rise to a slow coronal mass ejection (CME). There are supporting velocity observations from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), which illustrate the helical nature of the structure. Additionally a rising coronal hard X-ray source, which is observed with the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI), is shown to follow the flux rope with a speed of ~60 km s-1. It is also sampled by the CDS slit, although it has no signature in the Fe XIX band. Following the passage of this source, there is evidence from the CDS for down-flowing (cooling) material along newly reconnected loops through Doppler velocity observations, combined with magnetic field modeling. Later, a slow CME is observed with the Large Angle and Spectroscopic Coronagraph (LASCO). We combine a height-time profile of the flux rope at lower altitudes with the slow CME. The rising flux rope speeds up by a factor of 1.7 at the start of the impulsive energy release and goes through further acceleration before reaching 1.5 solar radii. These observations support classical CME scenarios in which the eruption of a filament precedes flaring activity. Cusped flare loops are observed following the erupting flux rope and their altitude increases with time. In addition we find RHESSI sources both below and above the probable location of the reconnection region.Fil: Goff, C. P.. Mullard Space Science Laboratory; Reino UnidoFil: van Driel Gesztelyi, Lidia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Observatoire de Paris; FranciaFil: Harra, L. K.. Mullard Space Science Laboratory; Reino UnidoFil: Matthews, S. A.. Mullard Space Science Laboratory; Reino UnidoFil: Mandrini, Cristina Hemilse. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; Argentin

Why are CMEs large-scale coronal events: nature or nurture?

The apparent contradiction between small-scale source regions of, and large-scale coronal response to, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) has been a long-standing puzzle. For some, CMEs are considered to be inherently large-scale events – eruptions in which a number of flux systems participate in an unspecified manner, while others consider magnetic reconnection in special global topologies to be responsible for the large-scale response of the lower corona to CME events. Some of these ideas may indeed be correct in specific cases. However, what is the key element which makes CMEs large-scale? Observations show that the extent of the coronal disturbance matches the angular width of the CME – an important clue, which does not feature strongly in any of the above suggestions. We review observational evidence for the large-scale nature of CME source regions and find them lacking. Then we compare different ideas regarding how CMEs evolve to become large-scale. The large-scale magnetic topology plays an important role in this process. There is amounting evidence, however, that the key process is magnetic reconnection between the CME and other magnetic structures. We outline a CME evolution model, which is able to account for all the key observational signatures of large-scale CMEs and presents a clear picture how large portions of the Sun become constituents of the CME. In this model reconnection is driven by the expansion of the CME core resulting from an over-pressure relative to the pressure in the CME's surroundings. This implies that the extent of the lower coronal signatures match the final angular width of the CME.Fil: van Driel Gesztelyi, Lidia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Observatoire de Paris; FranciaFil: Attrill, G. D. R.. University College London; Estados UnidosFil: Démoulin, Pascal. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Observatoire de Paris; FranciaFil: Mandrini, Cristina Hemilse. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Harra, L. K.. University College London; Estados Unido

Using the Evolution of Coronal Dimming Regions to Probe the Global Magnetic Field Topology

We demonstrate that study of the evolving magnetic nature of coronal dimming regions can be used to probe the large-scale magnetic structure involved in the eruption of a coronal mass ejection (CME). We analyse the intensity evolution of coronal dimming regions using 195 Å data from the Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). We measure the magnetic flux, using data from the SOHO/Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI), in the regions that seem most likely to be related to plasma removal. Then, we compare these magnetic flux measurements to the flux in the associated magnetic cloud (MC). Here, we present our analysis of the well-studied event on 12 May 1997 that took place just after solar minimum in a simple magnetic configuration. We present a synthesis of results already published and propose that driven “interchange reconnection” between the expanding CME structure with ‘`open’' field lines of the northern coronal hole region led to the asymmetric temporal and spatial evolution of the two main dimming regions, associated with this event. As a result of this reconnection process, we find the southern-most dimming region to be the principal foot-point of the MC. The magnetic flux from this dimming region and that of the MC are found to be in close agreement within the same order of magnitude, 1021 Mx.Fil: Attrill, G.. Mullard Space Science Laboratory; Reino UnidoFil: Nakwacki, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Harra, L. K.. Mullard Space Science Laboratory; Reino UnidoFil: van Driel Gesztelyi, Lidia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Observatoire de Paris; FranciaFil: Mandrini, Cristina Hemilse. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Dasso, Sergio Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Wang, J.. National Astronomical Observatory; Chin