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Solar Eruptions in Nested Magnetic Flux Systems

Karpen, Judith T.; Kumar, Pankaj; Wyper, Peter F.; DeVore, C. Richard; Antiochos, Spiro K.

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Authors

Judith T. Karpen

Pankaj Kumar

C. Richard DeVore

Spiro K. Antiochos



Abstract

The magnetic topology of erupting regions on the Sun is a key factor in the energy buildup and release, and the subsequent evolution of flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The presence/absence of null points and separatrices dictates whether and where current sheets form and magnetic reconnection occurs. Numerical simulations show that energy buildup and release via reconnection in the simplest configuration with a null, the embedded bipole, is a universal mechanism for solar eruptions. Here we demonstrate that a magnetic topology with nested bipoles and two nulls can account for more complex dynamics, such as failed eruptions and CME–jet interactions. We investigate the stalled eruption of a nested configuration on 2013 July 13 in NOAA Active Region 11791, in which a small bipole is embedded within a large transequatorial pseudo-streamer containing a null. In the studied event, the inner active region erupted, ejecting a small flux rope behind a shock accompanied by a flare; the flux rope then reconnected with pseudo-streamer flux and, rather than escaping intact, mainly distorted the pseudo-streamer null into a current sheet. EUV and coronagraph images revealed a weak shock and a faint collimated outflow from the pseudo-streamer. We analyzed Solar Dynamics Observatory and Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory observations and compared the inferred magnetic evolution and dynamics with three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics simulations of a simplified representation of this nested fan-spine system. The results suggest that the difference between breakout reconnection at the inner null and at the outer null naturally accounts for the observed weak jet and stalled ejection. We discuss the general implications of our results for failed eruptions.

Citation

Karpen, J. T., Kumar, P., Wyper, P. F., DeVore, C. R., & Antiochos, S. K. (2024). Solar Eruptions in Nested Magnetic Flux Systems. Astrophysical Journal, 966(1), Article 27. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad2eaa

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 22, 2024
Online Publication Date Apr 23, 2024
Publication Date May 1, 2024
Deposit Date Apr 24, 2024
Publicly Available Date Apr 25, 2024
Journal The Astrophysical Journal
Print ISSN 0004-637X
Electronic ISSN 1538-4357
Publisher American Astronomical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 966
Issue 1
Article Number 27
DOI https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad2eaa
Keywords Solar magnetic fields, Solar magnetic reconnection, Solar coronal mass ejections, Solar activity
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2395784

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