Solar & Stellar Group Research

Magnetic Coupling in the Heliosphere

Many strands of research are undertaken within the Solar & Stellar Physics group at MSSL under these general area. Projects mainly fall into one of the following four areas:

• Triggering and Evolution of Solar Eruptions
• Solar Wind Formation
• Emergence & Evolution of Solar Magnetic Fields
• Sun-Earth Connection

Triggering & Evolution of Solar Eruptions

Solar Wind Formation

Emergence & Evolution of Solar Magnetic Fields

Sun-Earth Connection

Helicity: Twist and WritheCertain dynamo models can generate magnetic helicity of one sign on large-scales, writhe, and the opposite sign on small scales, twist.

Asgari-Targhi & Berger, GAFD, 103, 69-87, 2009.

Most Twist Indicators lost in EmergenceSignificant details of a magnetic field's twist are lost when it emerges through the solar surface, with only weak twist being distinguishable.

Murray et al., Astron. & Astrophys., 479, 567-577, 2008.

Moat Flows subject to Sunspot's PenumbraMoat flows are only present at locations around sunspots where the penumbral field is perpendicular to the umbra's border.

Vargas Dominguez et al., Astrophys. J., 679, 900, 2008.

Reversals in Magnetic Signatures during FlaresEroneous reversals can be generated in photospheric magnetic data during flares as a result of non-thermal electron acceleration.

Zhao, Wang, Matthews et al., Research in Astron. Astrophys., 9, 812-828, 2009.

Reconnection can generate Wave SignaturesA series of reversals in the input and output fields during reconnection is termed 'oscillatory' and produces periodic heating and swaying jets.

Murray et al., Astron. & Astrophys., 494, 329-337, 2009.

Interchange Reconnection at WorkReconnection between active regions and coronal holes interchanges positions of closed and open field, hence 'interchange' reconnection.

Baker et al., Astron. Nachr., 328, 773, 2007.

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