The magnetic structure of surges in small-scale emerging flux regions

MacTaggart, D. , Guglielmino, S.L., Haynes, A.L., Simitev, R. and Zuccarello, F. (2015) The magnetic structure of surges in small-scale emerging flux regions. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 576(A4), (doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201424646)

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Abstract

Aims. We investigate the relationship between surges and magnetic reconnection during the emergence of small-scale active regions. In particular, to examine how the large-scale geometry of the magnetic field, shaped by different phases of reconnection, guides the flowing of surges. Methods. We present three flux emergence models. The first model, and the simplest, consists of a region emerging into a horizontal ambient field that is initially parallel to the top of the emerging region. The second model is the same as the first but with an extra smaller emerging region which perturbs the main region. This is added to create a more complex magnetic topology and to test how this complicates the development of surges compared to the first model. The last model has a non-uniform ambient magnetic field to model the effects of emergence near a sunspot field and impose asymmetry on the system through the ambient magnetic field. At each stage, we trace the magnetic topology to identify the locations of reconnection. This allows for field lines to be plotted from different topological regions, highlighting how their geometry affects the development of surges. Results. In the first model, we identify distinct phases of reconnection. Each phase is associated with a particular geometry for the magnetic field and this determines the paths of the surges. The second model follows a similar pattern to the first but with a more complex magnetic topology and extra eruptions. The third model highlights how an asymmetric ambient field can result in preferred locations for reconnection, subsequently guiding the direction of surges. Conclusions. Each of the identified phases highlights the close connection between magnetic field geometry, reconnection and the flow of surges. These phases can now be detected observationally and may prove to be key signatures in determining whether or not an emerging region will produce a large-scale (CME-type) eruption.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Simitev, Professor Radostin and Mactaggart, Dr David
Authors: MacTaggart, D., Guglielmino, S.L., Haynes, A.L., Simitev, R., and Zuccarello, F.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publisher:EDP Sciences
ISSN:0004-6361
ISSN (Online):1432-0746
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 ESO
First Published:First published in Astronomy and Astrophysics 576:A4
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
570591Two-layer thermo-compositional dynamo models of the geomagnetic field.Radostin SimitevLeverhulme Trust (LEVERHULME)RPG-2012-600M&S - MATHEMATICS
595181Chromospheric Flares: Observations, Models and Archives (CHROMA)Lyndsay FletcherEuropean Commission (EC)606862P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY