Excitation of flare-induced waves in coronal loops and the effects of radiative cooling

EUV imaging observations from several space missions (SOHO/EIT, TRACE, and SDO/AIA) have revealed a presence of propagating intensity disturbances in solar coronal loops. These disturbances are typically interpreted as slow magnetoacoustic waves. However, recent spectroscopic observations with Hinode/EIS of active region loops revealed that the propagating intensity disturbances are associated with intermittent plasma upflows (or jets) at the footpoints which are presumably generated by magnetic reconnection. For this reason, whether these disturbances are waves or periodic flows is still being studied. This study is aimed at understanding the physical properties of observed disturbances by investigating the excitation of waves by hot plasma injections from below and the evolution of flows and wave propagation along the loop. We expand our previous studies based on isothermal 3D MHD models of an active region to a more realistic model that includes full energy equation accounting for the effects of radiative losses. Computations are initialized with an equilibrium state of a model active region using potential (dipole) magnetic field, gravitationally stratified density and temperature obtained from the polytropic equation of state. We model an impulsive injection of hot plasma into the steady plasma outflow along the loops of different temperatures, warm (～1 MK) and hot (～6 MK). The simulations show that hot jets launched at the coronal base excite slow magnetoacoustic waves that propagate to high altitudes along the loops, while the injected hot flows decelerate rapidly with heights. Our results support that propagating disturbances observed in EUV are mainly the wave features. We also find that the effect of radiative cooling on the damping of slow-mode waves in 1–6 MK coronal loops is small, in agreement with the previous conclusion based on 1D MHD models.     

MHD surface waves – a source of global magnetospheric modes (resonances)?

Various mechanisms have been proposed for explanation of the global magnetospheric modes whose frequency peaks are in the frequency range 1–4 mHz. Recent papers claim: basic characteristics of the 1–4 mHz activity events observed on ground give evidences for an existence of MHD surface mode excited on the Earth magnetopause. The discrete frequencies of such MHD surface wave modes suggest an emergence of standing wave structures along the magnetic field lines lying on the magnetopause. Such discrete frequencies of MHD surface waves on magnetopause however, are not stable, at all. Contrariwise, MHD surface wave modes supported by the two plasma boundaries – the magnetopause and the plasmapause, are in accordance with existing experimental facts: discrete set of almost stable frequencies, field amplitude peaks and positions, energy dissipation, and field distribution from high to low latitudes. Mechanisms of the global magnetospheric mode resonance are pointed out as well as tools for their identification and discrimination.     

太阳色球层-日冕中扰动的传播

为了模拟太阳色球层、过渡层和日冕中扰动的传播特征,本文在一自洽的非等温、非均匀等离子体初态下,应用二维时变可压缩磁流体动力学模拟,数值研究了过渡层附近局地加热引起的扰动传播过程.结果表明,扰动分别以局地快磁流波速度向四周传播,数值模拟结果与局地快磁流波推算结果符合得很好,其特征可以解释SOHO/EIT观测到的波动事件.      

磁流体中间激波的相互作用

本文讨论磁流体中间激波的相互作用规律．主要结论：中间激波汇合的产物为后向快简单波、后向慢简单波或慢激波、接触间断、前向慢激波和前向快激波，其中后向波成份和接触间断很弱．当左（右）激波较强时，中国激波碰撞产物为后（前）向快激波、后（前）向慢简单波或慢激波、负（正）切向间断、前（后）向慢简单波和前（后）向快激波．     

On the nature of coronal loops above the quiet sun network

The structure and dynamics of a box in a stellar corona can be modeled employing a 3D MHD model for different levels of magnetic activity. Depending on the magnetic flux through the surface the nature of the resulting coronal structures can be quite different. We investigate a model of an active region for two sunspots surrounded by magnetic field patches comparable in magnetic flux to the sunspots. The model results in emission from the model corona being concentrated in loop structures. In Gudiksen and Nordlund (2005) the loops seen in EUV and X-ray emission outline the magnetic field, following the general paradigm. However, in our model, where the magnetic field is far from a force-free state, the loops seen in X-ray emission do not follow the magnetic field lines. This result is of interest especially for loops as found in areas where the magnetic field emerging from active regions interacts with the surrounding network.     

Three Dimensional Simulation of the Steady Solar Wind in Carrington Rotation 1935

A three-dimensional MHD simulation is conducted to study the steady solar wind in Carrington Rotation (CR) 1935 by using the three-dimensional numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model introduced by Feng et al. The numerical results demonstrate that the neutral current sheet has two peaks and two valleys, which is consistent with the result of PFSS model at Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO). The obtained proton number density at 2.5 Rs is of the same order of magnitude as the result estimated from K-coronal brightness during the CRs 1733-1742 in 1983made by Wei et al. The radial velocity profile along heliocentric distance is consistent with that of low solar wind speed deduced by Sheeley and Wang et al. However, it is not able to reproduce the fast-speed flow in coronal holes and slow solar wind in streamers because of oversimplified energy equation adopted in our model. Future efforts must be made to remedy this deficiency.      

太阳色球层-日冕中扰动的传播(Ⅱ)

首先讨论了磁流波传播的线性特征，然后构造了球坐标中-自治的非等温，非均匀等离子体初态，应用二维时变可压缩磁流体动力学模拟，数值研究了色球层底部压力脉冲所引起扰动的全球传播过程，结果表明，在极区，压力脉冲导致的扰动传播可以区分成两类不同模式的波动，快磁声波与慢磁声波，而在赤道附近，传播扰动是快模磁声波，在源区附近还存在一非传播的扰动，模拟结果的特征有助于解释SOHO/EIT观测到的波动事件。     

部分开放多极磁场中的日冕磁绳灾变

采用球坐标下二维三分量理想MHD模型，研究部分开放多极背景磁场中日冕磁绳的灾变现象．背景磁场由含3个闭合双极场的冕流和带赤道中性电流片的开放场构成，磁绳位于中心双极场的下方，其特性由环向磁通和轴向磁通表征．对给定的环向磁通，存在轴向磁通的一个临界值；对给定的轴向磁通，也存在环向磁通的一个临界值．在该临界值以下，磁绳附着于太阳表面，系统处于平衡状态；该临界值一旦被超越，磁绳将脱离太阳表面向上喷发，说明部分开放多极背景磁场中的日冕磁绳系统存在灾变现象．本文算例表明，灾变点对应的磁能阈值超过对应部分开放场(中心双极场开放，两侧的双极场仍维持闭合)能量约15％，其超过部分可为日冕物质抛射一类太阳爆发提供能源．     

Two energy release processes for CMEs: MHD catastrophe and magnetic reconnection

It remains an open question how magnetic energy is rapidly released in the solar corona so as to create solar explosions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Recent studies have confirmed that a system consisting of a flux rope embedded in a background field exhibits a catastrophic behavior, and the energy threshold at the catastrophic point may exceed the associated open field energy. The accumulated free energy in the corona is abruptly released when the catastrophe takes place, and it probably serves as the main means of energy release for CMEs at least in the initial phase. Such a release proceeds via an ideal MHD process in contrast with nonideal ones such as magnetic reconnection. The catastrophe results in a sudden formation of electric current sheets, which naturally provide proper sites for fast magnetic reconnection. The reconnection may be identified with a solar flare associated with the CME on one hand, and produces a further acceleration of the CME on the other. On this basis, several preliminary suggestions are made for future observational investigations, especially with the proposed Kuafa satellites, on the roles of the MHD catastrophe and magnetic reconnection in the magnetic energy release associated with CMEs and flares.     

磁流体斜激波的汇合

本文讨论磁流体快、慢激波的汇合作用规律,主要结论如下:(1)两个前向快激波汇合之后,形成一更强的前向快激波,尾随一前向慢稀疏波、一正接触间断(后侧密度大于前侧)、一后向慢激波和一后向快稀疏浚。(2)两个前向慢激波汇合之后,形成一更强的前向慢激波,尾随一正接触间断、一后向慢稀疏波和一后向快激波2在前向慢激波前方出现一前向快波,它或为稀疏浚(中、小激波角情况),或为激波(大激波角情况).(3)前向快激波会追上前向慢激波而发生汇合,之后互换位置且强度减弱,尾随一正接触间断和一后向稀疏波对。      

1980年5月21日—22日耀斑后冕拱(Post-flare coronal arch)的加热机制和稳定性

本文提出了快撕裂模加热是1980年5月21日—22日耀斑后冕拱长达10多小时的有效加热机制。作者计算了撕裂模所提供的能量和相应的增长率,并讨论了该冕拱的MHD平衡和稳定性问题,主要结论如下:1.对5月21日冕拱,当密度取1.6×109cm-3（实测值）时,剪切宽度α_α=1.8×108cm（冕拱小半径的十分之一）剪切磁场为18—32×10-4T,所对应的增长率为1.79×10-5s-1—2.66×10-5s-1,不稳定的增长时间为15.5h—10.4h,这组解与观测到的冕拱存在10多小时相符。所以,撕裂模是冕拱合理的有效加热机制。2.该冕拱之所以维持10多小时之久,除撕裂模加热与辐射损失平衡外,在力学上必须处于平衡态,其平衡条件为B_φ（冕拱轴向磁场）=2B_θ（冕拱的环向场）,和气压梯度dp/dr大于零。若冕拱满足该力学平衡条件,则利用能量原理可得到该系统对腊肠扰动、扭曲扰动、螺旋扰动均是稳定的。      

各向异性磁流体激波跃变关系的无量纲化求解

用无量纲化方法，推出了各向压力异性等离子体中磁流体激波跃变条件及其解析解的一种普遍而简单的形式，并讨论了它在各向同性等离子体中各种特殊情况下的结果．     

黄道面内行星际激波相互碰撞作用过程研究—能量效应

本文用两维半MHD数值模型,数值模拟研究了两邻近扰动源所产生的激波在行星际空间黄道面内不同能量时的相互碰撞过程。在内边界(18R_s)两扰动中心的间距取为36°。结果表明:两弱激波(速度在500km/s左右以下)不会产生汇合,而是各自独立地传播;两中等强度激波(速度在1000km/s左右)将发生汇合,但在IAU尚可分辨;两强激波(速度在2000km/s以上)则在1AU以内已发生汇合,汇合后形成一个新激波,其磁场结构与单激波明显不同。激波能量越大,两激波汇合的越快。     

Large-scale waves in the solar corona: The continuing debate

Ten years after the first observation of large-scale wave-like coronal disturbances with the EIT instrument aboard SOHO, the most crucial questions concerning these “EIT waves” are still being debated controversially – what is their actual physical nature, and how are they launched? Possible explanations include MHD waves or shocks, launched by flares or driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), as well as models where coronal waves are not actually waves at all, but generated by successive “activation” of magnetic fieldlines in the framework of a CME. Here, we discuss recent observations that might help to discriminate between the different models. We focus on strong coronal wave events that do show chromospheric Moreton wave signatures. It is stressed that multiwavelength observations with high time cadence are particularly important, ideally when limb events with CME observations in the low corona are available. Such observations allow for a detailed comparison of the kinematics of the wave, the CME and the associated type II radio burst. For Moreton-associated coronal waves, we find strong evidence for the wave/shock scenario. Furthermore, we argue that EIT waves are actually generated by more than one physical process, which might explain some of the issues which have made the interpretation of these phenomena so controversial.     

Solar filament eruptions and their physical role in triggering coronal mass ejections

Solar filament eruptions play a crucial role in triggering coronal mass ejections (CMEs). More than 80% of eruptions lead to a CME. This correlation has been studied extensively during the past solar cycles and the last long solar minimum. The statistics made on events occurring during the rising phase of the new solar cycle 24 is in agreement with this finding. Both filaments and CMEs have been related to twisted magnetic fields. Therefore, nearly all the MHD CME models include a twisted flux tube, called a flux rope. Either the flux rope is present long before the eruption, or it is built up by reconnection of a sheared arcade from the beginning of the eruption.     

日冕瞬变的观测特征和理论解释

本文综述了日冕瞬变现象的主要观测特征及其理论模型.日冕瞬变是从太阳日冕中向行星际空间大量抛出物质的过程,每次事件可有5×1015克的物质在103秒的时间内以约500公里/秒的典型速度被驱动流到日球中.日冕瞬变与太阳耀斑和爆发日珥事件有密切的相关性.作为一种新的太阳活动现象,近年来对日冕瞬变提出了许多理论解释.一种数值模拟方法将瞬变看成是由于热力学量或磁力在日冕底部的脉冲增长所产生的结果.许多分析模型认为是由磁环内部的电磁力或外部的磁压力驱动所致,或者是环中磁浮力驱动的结果.考虑到瞬变与耀斑和爆发日珥的相关性,活塞驱动模型认为,瞬变是稠密等离子体喷射,像活塞驱动机制.观测和理论都有待于进一步的研究.      

2009年2月13日EUV波现象数值研究

结合STEREO卫星的观测和三维磁流体力学数值模拟方法, 采用WSO (Wilcox Solar Observatory)磁场数据和势场源表面模型建立日冕初始磁场, 并在日面活动区加上时变的压强扰动, 对2009年2月13日05:35UT爆发的CME-EUV波(Coronal Mass Ejections-Extreme Ultraviolet wave, 日冕物质抛射-远紫外波)事件进行研究. 从COR1/STEREO-A图像判断, 此次CME前沿速度约340km·s-1, 角宽度约60°; 分析EUVI/STEREO-B 195 ?的差分图像, 可以看到, 环形亮环波前从活动区向四周传播, 亮环波前后面是日冕暗化区, 取四个方向的波前位置进行线性拟合可知, 该EUV波速度为247km·s-1, 数值模拟得到的EUV波速度为245km·s-1, 将计算结果采用IDL可视化后可以看到明显的亮环和暗区结构, 数值模拟结果与卫星观测相一致, 表明该EUV波现象是快磁声波.      

磁流体斜激波的碰撞

讨论了磁流体斜激波之间的碰撞及其与接触间断的相互作用规律,主要结论如下:(1)两个快激波碰撞后交换位置,同时出现一接触间断和一慢稀疏波对。(2)两个慢激波碰撞后交换位置且强度减弱,同时出现一接触间断和一块激波对。(3)一前向快激波与一后向慢激波碰撞后交换位置,快激波强度增加,慢激波强度减弱,同时出现一后向快激波、一负接触间断和一前向慢稀疏波。(4)一前向快激波与一正(负)接触间断相互作用后交换位置,快激波减弱,同时出现一后向快稀疏波(快激波)、一后向慢激波和一前向慢激波(慢稀疏波).(5)一前向慢激波与一正(负)接触间断相互作用后交换位置,慢激波减弱,同时出现一后向慢稀疏波(慢激波)和一快稀疏波(快激波)对。      

A CLASS OF TWO-STEP TVD MACCORMACK TYPE NUMERICAL SCHEME FOR MHD EQUATIONS

In this paper, a new numerical scheme of Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) Mac-Cormack type for MagnetoHydroDynamic (MHD) equations is proposed by taklng into account of the characteristics such as convergence, stability, resolution. This new scheme is established by solving the MHD equations with a TVD modified MacCormack scheme for the purpose of developing a scheme of quick convergence as well as of TVD property. To show the validation, simplicity and practicability of the scheme for modelling MHD problems, a self-similar Cauchy problem with the discontinuous initial data consisting of constant states, and the collision of two fast MHD shocks, and two-dimensional Orszag and Tang‘s MHD vortex problem are discussed with the numerical results conforming to the existing results obtained by the Roe type TVD, the high-order Godunov scheme, and Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) scheme. The numerical tests show that this two-step TVD MacCormack numerical scheme for MHD system is of robust operation in the presence of very strong waves, thin shock fronts, thin contact and slip surface discontinuities.     

Three-dimensional global simulation of multiple ICMEs’ interaction and propagation from the Sun to the heliosphere following the 25–28 October 2003 solar events

This study performs simulations of interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) propagation in a realistic three-dimensional (3D) solar wind structure from the Sun to the Earth by using the newly developed hybrid code, HAFv.2+3DMHD. This model combines two simulation codes, Hakamada–Akasofu–Fry code version 2 (HAFv.2) and a fully 3D, time-dependent MHD simulation code. The solar wind structure is simulated out to 0.08 AU (18 Rs) from source surface maps using the HAFv.2 code. The outputs at 0.08 AU are then used to provide inputs for the lower boundary, at that location, of the 3D MHD code to calculate solar wind and its evolution to 1 AU and beyond. A dynamic disturbance, mimicking a particular flare’s energy output, is delivered to this non-uniform structure to model the evolution and interplanetary propagation of ICMEs (including their shocks). We then show the interaction between two ICMEs and the dynamic process during the overtaking of one shock by the other. The results show that both CMEs and heliosphere current sheet/plasma sheet were deformed by interacting with each other.