Magnetic Cloud and Active Region Topology Compared
Abstract
Magnetic clouds are closely associated with Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). Most CMEs are associated with active regions. What is the relationship between the topology of these clouds and the associated active region? For our purposes magnetic clouds can be modeled adequately by a cylindrical force-free magnetic configuration (Lepping, 1990). We have modeled the magnetic field topology of 14 magnetic clouds and their associated active regions to determine values of the force-free field parameter for both, as well as total currents and fluxes. We find that the number of turns of the twisted magnetic field in the full length of the cloud is typically an order of magnitude greater than the same quantity across the associated active region. This finding compels us to reject models of flux rope formation that do not invoke magnetic reconnection and helicity conservation.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Solar Physics Division Meeting #34
- Pub Date:
- May 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003SPD....34.0518C