Eruptions and flaring activity in emerging quadrupolar regions
Date
10/2019Funder
Grant ID
ST/S000402/1
ST/N000609/1
RGF/EA/180232
810218
Keywords
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Context. Solar observations suggest that some of the most dynamic active regions are associated with complex photospheric magnetic configurations such as quadrupolar regions, and especially those that have a δ-spot configuration and a strong polarity inversion line (PIL). Aims. We study the formation and eruption of magnetic flux ropes in quadrupolar regions. Methods. We performed 3D magnetohydrodynamics simulations of the partial emergence of a highly twisted flux tube from the solar interior into a non-magnetised stratified atmosphere. We introduced a density deficit at two places along the length of the subphotospheric flux tube to emerge as two Ω-shaped loops, forming a quadrupolar region. Results. At the photosphere, the emerging flux forms two initially separated bipoles, which later come in contact, forming a δ-spot central region. Above the two bipoles, two magnetic lobes expand and interact through a series of current sheets at the interface between them. Two recurrent confined eruptions are produced. In both cases, the reconnection between sheared low-lying field lines forms a flux rope. The reconnection between the two lobes higher in the atmosphere forms field lines that retract down and push against the flux rope, creating a current sheet between them. It also forms field lines that create a third magnetic lobe between the two emerged lobes, that later acts as a strapping field. The flux rope eruptions are triggered when the reconnection between the flux ropes and the field above the ropes becomes efficient enough to remove the tension of the overlying field. These reconnection events occur internally in the quadrupolar system, as the atmosphere is non-magnetised. The flux rope of the first, weaker, eruption almost fully reconnects with the overlying field. The flux rope of the second, more energetic, eruption is confined by the overlying strapping field. During the second eruption, the flux rope is enhanced in size, flux, and twist, similar to confined-flare-to-flux-rope observations. Proxies of the emission reveal the two erupting filaments channels. A flare arcade is only formed in the second eruption owing to the longer lasting and more efficient reconnection at the current sheet below the flux rope.
Citation
Syntelis , P , Lee , E J , Fairbairn , C W , Archontis , V & Hood , A W 2019 , ' Eruptions and flaring activity in emerging quadrupolar regions ' , Astronomy & Astrophysics , vol. 630 , A134 , pp. 1-14 . https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201936246
Publication
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0004-6361Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2019 ESO. 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 author created accepted manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201936246
Description
Funding: UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (UK) through the consolidated grant ST/S000402/1, Royal Society grant RGF/EA/180232, ERC synergy grant “The Whole Sun”.Collections
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