Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 1992
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992apj...391..353w&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 391, no. 1, May 20, 1992, p. 353-358.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
63
Electric Current, Force-Free Magnetic Fields, Solar Corona, Solar Magnetic Field, Free Energy, Magnetic Field Configurations, Photosphere, Solar Activity
Scientific paper
Photospheric displacement of the footpoints of solar magnetic field lines results in shearing and twisting of the field, and consequently in the buildup of electric currents and magnetic free energy in the corona. The sudden release of this free energy may be the origin of eruptive events like coronal mass ejections, prominence eruptions, and flares. An important question is whether such an energy release may be accompanied by the opening of magnetic field lines that were previously closed, for such open field lines can provide a route for matter frozen into the field to escape the sun altogether. This paper presents the results of numerical calculations showing that opening of the magnetic field is permitted energetically, in that it is possible to build up more free energy in a sheared, closed, force-free magnetic field than is in a related magnetic configuration having both closed and open field lines. Whether or not the closed force-free field attains enough energy to become partially open depends on the form of the shear profile; the results presented compare the energy buildup for different shear profiles. Implications for solar activity are discussed briefly.
Chye Low Boon
Wolfson Richard
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