Nonlinear force-free field modeling of solar coronal jets in theoretical configurations
Abstract
Coronal jets occur frequently on the Sun, and may contribute significantly to the solar wind. With the suite of instruments available now, we can observe these phenomena in greater detail than ever before. Modeling and simulations can assist further with understanding the dynamic processes involved, but previous studies tended to consider only one mechanism (e.g., emergence or rotation) for the origin of the jet. In this study we model a series of idealized archetypal jet configurations and follow the evolution of the coronal magnetic field. This is a step toward understanding these idealized situations before considering their observational counterparts. Several simple situations are set up for the evolution of the photospheric magnetic field: a single parasitic polarity rotating or moving in a circular path; as well as opposite polarity pairs involved in flyby (shearing), cancellation or emergence; all in the presence of a uniform, open background magnetic field. The coronal magnetic field is evolved in time using a magnetofrictional relaxation method. While magnetofriction cannot accurately reproduce the dynamics of an eruptive phase, the structure of the coronal magnetic field, as well as the buildup of electric currents and free magnetic energy are instructive. Certain configurations and motions produce a flux rope and allow the significant buildup of free energy, reminiscent of the progenitors of so-called blowout jets, whereas other, simpler configurations are more comparable to the standard jet model. The next stage is a comparison with observed coronal jet structures and their corresponding photospheric evolution.
Citation
Meyer , K A , Savcheva , A S , Mackay , D H & DeLuca , E E 2019 , ' Nonlinear force-free field modeling of solar coronal jets in theoretical configurations ' , Astrophysical Journal , vol. 880 , no. 1 , 62 , pp. 1-13 . https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab271a
Publication
Astrophysical Journal
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0004-637XType
Journal article
Rights
© 2019, American Astronomical Society. This work has been made available online in accordance with the publisher's policies. This is the author created accepted version manuscript following peer review and as such may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab271a Copyright © 2019. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the final published version of the work, which was originally published at https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab271a
Description
K.A.M. and D.H.M. gratefully acknowledge the support of the Leverhulme Trust, the STFC and the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland. K.A.M., A.S.S., and E.E.D. thank ISSI (Bern) for their support of the team "Understanding Solar Jets and their Role in Atmospheric Structure and Dynamics." D.H.M. thanks the EU for their support under FP7.Collections
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