Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 1991
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991apj...373..294f&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 373, May 20, 1991, p. 294-307.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
171
Catastrophe Theory, Magnetohydrodynamics, Solar Corona, Solar Corpuscular Radiation, Stellar Mass Ejection, Current Sheets, Magnetic Field Reconnection, Photosphere, Solar Prominences
Scientific paper
The ideal-MHD equations are used to show that a coronal current filament can suddenly lose equilibrium if its magnetic energy exceeds a critical value. The loss of equilibrium in the configuration results from an imbalance between magnetic tension and compression, and this imbalance ejects the filament upwards. Near the critical value, the equilibrium configuration develops a vertical current sheet attached to the photosphere at the point directly below the filament. When equilibrium is lost, field lines anchored to the photosphere are stretched upwards, and the current sheet rapidly grows longer. Without reconnection in the current sheet, the filament travels only a short distance before reaching a new equilibrium, and the net magnetic energy released is less than 1 percent of the stored magnetic energy. However, with reconnection, the filament travels upwards indefinitely, and all of the stored energy is released.
Forbes Terry G.
Isenberg Philip A.
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