Magnetic helicity ejections and coronal activity
Abstract
Magnetic helicity quantifies the degree of linkage and/or twistedness in the magnetic field. It is probably the only physical quantity which is approximately conserved even in resistive MHD. This makes it an ideal tool for the exploration of the physics of solar eruptions. In this article, I discuss the sources of magnetic helicity injected into active regions and I point out that coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are probably necessary to remove at least part of the excess helicity produced in the Sun. I also discuss the importance of magnetic helicity in the overall coronal evolution that may lead to eruptions.
- Publication:
-
Solar and Astrophysical Dynamos and Magnetic Activity
- Pub Date:
- July 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921313003074
- Bibcode:
- 2013IAUS..294..519N
- Keywords:
-
- Sun: activity;
- Sun: magnetic fields;
- Sun: coronal mass ejections (CMEs);
- Sun: flares