Evolution to Nonequilibrium in Simple Models of Prominence Filaments
Abstract
The support of cold plasma against gravity by a line-tied magnetic field is considered. The normal component of the field at the boundaries, the mass/unit flux, and the magnetic shear are all specified. Fixing the first two of these quantities, and varying the third leads to evolutionary sequences. When the magnetic shear is less than a critical value, an infinite number of solutions exist. When the magnetic shear is sufficiently large, there are no solutions with the desired topology. These results support the idea that prominences erupt as a result of evolution to magnetic nonequilibrium.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1086/170324
- Bibcode:
- 1991ApJ...376..761Z
- Keywords:
-
- Coronal Loops;
- Nonequilibrium Plasmas;
- Solar Prominences;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Stability;
- Solar Magnetic Field;
- Stellar Models;
- Solar Physics;
- HYDROMAGNETICS;
- SUN: PROMINENCES