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Understanding the Plasma and Magnetic Field Evolution of a Filament Using Observations and Nonlinear Force-free Field Modeling

Yardley, SL; Savcheva, A; Green, LM; Driel-Gesztelyi, LV; Long, D; Williams, DR; Mackay, DH; (2019) Understanding the Plasma and Magnetic Field Evolution of a Filament Using Observations and Nonlinear Force-free Field Modeling. Astrophysical Journal , 887 (2) , Article 240. 10.3847/1538-4357/ab54d2. Green open access

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Abstract

We present observations and magnetic field models of an intermediate filament present on the Sun in 2012 August, associated with a polarity inversion line that extends from AR 11541 in the east into the quiet Sun at its western end. A combination of Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, SDO/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), and Global Oscillation Network Group Hα data allow us to analyze the structure and evolution of the filament from 2012 August 4 23:00 UT to 2012 August 6 08:00 UT when the filament was in equilibrium. By applying the flux rope insertion method, nonlinear force-free field models of the filament are constructed using SDO/HMI line-of-sight magnetograms as the boundary condition at the two times given above. Guided by observed filament barbs, both modeled flux ropes are split into three sections each with a different value of axial flux to represent the nonuniform photospheric field distribution. The flux in the eastern section of the rope increases by 4 × 1020 Mx between the two models, which is in good agreement with the amount of flux canceled along the internal PIL of AR 11541, calculated to be 3.2 × 1020 Mx. This suggests that flux cancellation builds flux into the filament's magnetic structure. Additionally, the number of field line dips increases between the two models in the locations where flux cancellation, the formation of new filament threads, and growth of the filament is observed. This suggests that flux cancellation associated with magnetic reconnection forms concave-up magnetic field that lifts plasma into the filament. During this time, the free magnetic energy in the models increases by 0.2 × 1031 ergs.

Type: Article
Title: Understanding the Plasma and Magnetic Field Evolution of a Filament Using Observations and Nonlinear Force-free Field Modeling
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ab54d2
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab54d2
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Space and Climate Physics
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10088902
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