Magnetic flux cancellation observed in the sunspot moat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper we study the evolution of magnetic fields of a 1F/2.4C solar flare and following magnetic flux cancellation. The data are Big Bear Solar Observatory and SOHO/MDI observations of active region NOAA 8375. The active region produced a multitude of subflares, many of them being clustered along the moat boundary in the area with mixed polarity magnetic fields. The study indicates a possible connection between the flare and the flux cancellation. The cancellation rate, defined from the data, was found to be 3 × 1019 Mx h-1. We observed strong upward directed plasma flows at the cancellation site. Suggesting that the cancellation is a result of reconnection process, we also found a reconnection rate of 0.5 km s-1, which is a significant fraction of Alfvén speed. The reconnection rate indicates a regime of fast photospheric reconnection happening during the cancellation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)309-318
Number of pages10
JournalSolar Physics
Volume202
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Magnetic flux cancellation observed in the sunspot moat'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this