Flows and magnetic field structures in reconnection regions of simulations of the solar atmosphere: do flux pile-up models work?

Abstract

We study the process of magnetic field annihilation and reconnection in simulations of magnetised solar photosphere and chromosphere with magnetic fields of opposite polarities and constant numerical resistivity. Exact analytical solutions for reconnective annihilations are used to interpret the features of magnetic reconnection in simulations of flux cancellation in the solar atmosphere. We use MURaM high-resolution photospheric radiative magneto-convection simulations to demonstrate the presence of magnetic field reconnection consistent with the magnetic flux pile-up models. Also, a simulated data-driven chromospheric magneto-hydrodynamic simulation is used to demonstrate magnetic field and flow structures, which are similar to the ones theoretically predicted. Both simulations demonstrate flow and magnetic field structures roughly consistent with accelerated reconnection with magnetic flux pile-up. The presence of standard Sweet-Parker type reconnection is also demonstrated in stronger photospheric magnetic fields.

arXiv comment7 pages, 6 figures. Resubmitted after taking into account the referee's comments

References in corpus (14)

• Heating of the magnetized solar chromosphere by partial ionization effects
• Ellerman Bombs at high resolution: I. Morphological evidence for photospheric reconnection
• Ellerman Bombs at high resolution: II. Visibility, triggering and effect on upper atmosphere
• Ellerman Bombs - Evidence for Magnetic Reconnection in the Lower Solar Atmosphere
• Heating of the partially ionized solar chromosphere by waves in magnetic structures
• Apparent Solar Tornado - Like Prominences
• Mechanisms for MHD Poynting flux generation in simulations of solar photospheric magneto-convection
• Flux cancellation and the evolution of the eruptive filament of 2011 June 7
• Self-absorption in the solar transition region
• On The Relationship Between Magnetic Cancellation and UV Burst Formation
• Ellerman Bombs with Jets: Cause and Effect
• Ubiquitous quiet-Sun jets
• I. Jet Formation and Evolution due to 3D Magnetic Reconnection
• Explosive Events and the Evolution of the Photospheric Magnetic Field

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Small-scale solar jet formation and their associated waves and instabilities
• Spicule jets in the solar atmosphere modeled with resistive MHD and thermal conduction
• New approach for analysing dynamical processes on the surface of photospheric vortex tubes
• Heating in the Solar Atmosphere at a Fin Current Sheet Driven by Magnetic Flux Cancellation