Simulating the “sliding doors” effect through magnetic flux emergence

MacTaggart, D. and Hood, A. W. (2010) Simulating the “sliding doors” effect through magnetic flux emergence. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 716(2), L219-L222. (doi: 10.1088/2041-8205/716/2/L219)

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Abstract

Recent <i>Hinode</i> photospheric vector magnetogram observations have shown that the opposite polarities of a long arcade structure move apart and then come together. In addition to this "sliding doors" effect, orientations of horizontal magnetic fields along the polarity inversion line on the photosphere evolve from a normal-polarity configuration to an inverse one. To explain this behavior, a simple model by Okamoto et al. suggested that it is the result of the emergence of a twisted flux rope. Here, we model this scenario using a three-dimensional megnatohydrodynamic simulation of a twisted flux rope emerging into a pre-existing overlying arcade. We construct magnetograms from the simulation and compare them with the observations. The model produces the two signatures mentioned above. However, the cause of the "sliding doors" effect differs from the previous model.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mactaggart, Dr David
Authors: MacTaggart, D., and Hood, A. W.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Astrophysical Journal Letters
Publisher:American Astronomical Society
ISSN:2041-8205
ISSN (Online):2041-8213
Published Online:04 June 2010

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