Review of Models for Solar Prominences and Coronal Cavities (Invited)
Abstract
Solar prominences are relatively cool structures embedded in the million-degree corona. Magnetic fields are thought to play an important role in supporting the prominence plasma against gravity, and in insulating it from the surrounding hot corona. Quiescent prominences (QP) have intricate fine-scale structures that continually evolve due to plasma flows and heating and cooling processes. In this talk I review recent theoretical models for the structure and formation of QPs. It is argued that hedgerow prominences may be located in vertically oriented current sheets, and may be supported by small-scale, tangled magnetic fields. The role of Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities in the formation of hedgerow prominences will be discussed. Many QPs are located in coronal cavities, suggesting the presence of large-scale magnetic flux ropes held down by overlying coronal arcades. Nonlinear force-free field models of such flux ropes will be presented and compared with prominence and cavity observations.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AGUFMSH54A..02V
- Keywords:
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- 7509 SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY / Corona;
- 7524 SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY / Magnetic fields;
- 7531 SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY / Prominence eruptions