Asymmetric flux loops in active regions, II

Petrovay, K., Brown, J.C., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Fletcher, L. , Marik, M. and Stewart, G. (1990) Asymmetric flux loops in active regions, II. Solar Physics, 127(1), pp. 51-64. (doi: 10.1007/BF00158513)

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Abstract

Magnetic flux loops in the subphotospheric layers of the sun are seriously asymmetrical as a consequence of the drag force exerted on them, because of the different rotational rate of the surrounding plasma. In numerical models of stationary slender flux loops in the plane parallel approximation, it is shown that a serious tilt is both possible and probable. Observational facts strongly support the case for high asymmetry. The different stability of p and f spots may also be related to such an asymmetry. The tilts are very sensitive to the rotational profile and to the magnetic field structure. Nevertheless the characteristic maximal tilts can be tentatively estimated to be 20 deg for thin flux tubes and 5 deg for thick tubes. For two of the five observational consequences of such a tilt order-of-magnitude estimates of the effects are given. The estimates are in reasonable accord with observations.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fletcher, Professor Lyndsay and Brown, Professor John and Stewart, Dr Graeme
Authors: Petrovay, K., Brown, J.C., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Fletcher, L., Marik, M., and Stewart, G.
Subjects:Q Science > QB Astronomy
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Group:Astronomy and Astrophysics
Journal Name:Solar Physics
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:0038-0938
ISSN (Online):1573-093X

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