On the emergence of toroidal flux tubes: general dynamics and comparisons with the cylinder model

DOI10.1051/0004-6361/200912930zbMATH Open1181.85031arXiv0909.3987OpenAlexW3105053139WikidataQ68940200 ScholiaQ68940200MaRDI QIDQ5852097FDOQ5852097

Authors: David MacTaggart, A. W. Hood 

Publication date: 26 January 2010

Published in: Astronomy & Astrophysics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: In this paper we study the dynamics of toroidal flux tubes emerging from the solar interior, through the photosphere and into the corona. Many previous theoretical studies of flux emergence use a twisted cylindrical tube in the solar interior as the initial condition. Important insights can be gained from this model, however, it does have shortcomings. The axis of the tube never fully emerges as dense plasma becomes trapped in magnetic dips and restrains its ascent. Also, since the entire tube is buoyant, the main photospheric footpoints (sunspots) continually drift apart. These problems make it difficult to produce a convincing sunspot pair. We aim to address these problems by considering a different initial condition, namely a toroidal flux tube. We perform numerical experiments and solve the 3D MHD equations. The dynamics are investigated through a range of initial field strengths and twists. The experiments demonstrate that the emergence of toroidal flux tubes is highly dynamic and exhibits a rich variety of behaviour. In answer to the aims, however, if the initial field strength is strong enough, the axis of the tube can fully emerge. Also, the sunspot pair does not continually drift apart. Instead, its maximum separation is the diameter of the original toroidal tube.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/0909.3987

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zbMATH Keywords

magnetohydrodynamicsmethods: numericalSun: magnetic fields

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Magnetohydrodynamics and electrohydrodynamics (76W05) Galactic and stellar structure (85A15) Hydrodynamic and hydromagnetic problems in astronomy and astrophysics (85A30)

Cited In (8)

• Simple emergence structures from complex magnetic fields
• On the coalescence of twisted flux tubes
• Simulations of emerging flux in a coronal hole: oscillatory reconnection
• Dynamo-driven plasmoid ejections above a spherical surface
• The equilibrium of coronal flux tubes under toroidal forces
• Flux tubes, surface magnetism, and the solar dynamo: constraints and open problems
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Helicity and winding fluxes as indicators of twisted flux emergence

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