Parametric Transformation Analysis of Observed Coronal Magnetic Structures
Abstract
Twisted coronal features are important signatures for predicting solar eruptive events, and yet not clearly understood. We present new results for determining the complex, non-potential magnetic field configurations of active regions. This research uses free-form deformation mathematics to generate the 3-dimensional coronal magnetic field. We use a parametric representation of the magnetic field lines such that the field lines can be manipulated to match the observed EUV and SXR coronal loops. The objective is to derive sigmoidal magnetic field solutions which allow beta > 1 regions to be included, aligned and non-aligned electric currents to be calculated, and the Lorentz force to be determined. The advantage of our technique is that the solution is independent of the unknown upper and side boundary conditions, allows non-vanishing magnetic forces, and provides a global magnetic field solution, which contains high- and low-beta regimes and is consistent with the observed coronal structure of the region. We show that the mathematical description is unique and physical. This work was supported by NASA's Office of Space Science - Solar and Heliospheric Physics Supporting Research and Technology program.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Solar Physics Division Meeting #34
- Pub Date:
- May 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003SPD....34.1609G