Tracking the Topology of the Photospheric Magnetic Network in Multiscale Space-time: Towards New Precursors of Transient Coronal Events
Abstract
We present a new approach to exploring magnetic flux dynamics in the solar photosphere as depicted by high-resolution spacecraft observations, and provide statistical evidence for the correlated cancellation behavior of bipolar magnetic structures over a range of scales associated with meso- and supergranulation suggesting the involvement of these unstable structures in the coronal heating and flaring activity. Our methodology is based on spatio-temporal tracking of magnetic elements allowing us to rigorously identify timing and positions of magnetic emergence and submergence events. The causal relationship between these events is investigated further using the cross-correlation integral algorithm (Uritsky et al., 2010). We apply this two-step approach to an extensive set of SOHO MDI and Hinode SOT V/I magnetograms exhibiting various types of unipolar and bipolar magnetic structures observed in active and quiet regions of the solar photosphere. The results show a significant difference in the behavior of unipolar and bipolar magnetic elements, confirming previously found asymmetry in the emergence and cancellation dynamics of the photospheric magnetic flux. Our analysis also reveals characteristic spatial scales of mesogranular structures of the same and opposing magnetic polarity. Finally, we identify a distinct subset of positively correlated submergence events detected under active photospheric conditions. We argue that these events may represent the reconnection dynamics of the closed magnetic flux, and therefore be responsible for the local coronal dissipation. This possibility is tested using conjugate sets of STEREO EUVI and SOHO MDI images.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AGUFMSH43B1823C
- Keywords:
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- 7524 SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY / Magnetic fields;
- 7549 SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY / Ultraviolet emissions