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Could switchbacks originate in the lower solar atmosphere? II. Propagation of switchbacks in the solar corona

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Magyar, Norbert, Utz, Dominik, Erdélyi, Robertus and Nakariakov, V. M. (Valery M.) (2021) Could switchbacks originate in the lower solar atmosphere? II. Propagation of switchbacks in the solar corona. The Astrophysical Journal, 914 (1). 8. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/abfa98

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/abfa98

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Abstract

The magnetic switchbacks observed recently by the Parker Solar Probe have raised the question about their nature and origin. One of the competing theories of their origin is the interchange reconnection in the solar corona. In this scenario, switchbacks are generated at the reconnection site between open and closed magnetic fields, and are either advected by an upflow or propagate as waves into the solar wind. In this paper we test the wave hypothesis, numerically modeling the propagation of a switchback, modeled as an embedded Alfvén wave packet of constant magnetic field magnitude, through the gravitationally stratified solar corona with different degrees of background magnetic field expansion. While switchbacks propagating in a uniform medium with no gravity are relatively stable, as reported previously, we find that gravitational stratification together with the expansion of the magnetic field act in multiple ways to deform the switchbacks. These include WKB effects, which depend on the degree of magnetic field expansion, and also finite-amplitude effects, such as the symmetry breaking between nonlinear advection and the Lorentz force. In a straight or radially expanding magnetic field the propagating switchbacks unfold into waves that cause minimal magnetic field deflections, while a super-radially expanding magnetic field aids in maintaining strong deflections. Other important effects are the mass uplift the propagating switchbacks induce and the reconnection and drainage of plasmoids contained within the switchbacks. In the Appendix, we examine a series of setups with different switchback configurations and parameters, which broaden the scope of our study.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

Q Science > QB Astronomy

Divisions:

Faculty of Science > Physics

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Solar magnetic fields, Magnetohydrodynamics, Astrophysics

Journal or Publication Title:

The Astrophysical Journal

Publisher:

Institute of Physics Publishing, Inc.

ISSN:

0004-637X

Official Date:

9 June 2021

Dates:

Date	Event
9 June 2021	Published
20 April 2021	Accepted

Volume:

914

Number:

Article Number:

DOI:

10.3847/1538-4357/abfa98

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Publication Status:

Published

Publisher Statement:

This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for published in The Astrophysical Journal. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/abfa98

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:

Project/Grant ID	RIOXX Funder Name	Funder ID
824135	[ERC] Horizon 2020 Framework Programme	http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010661
ST/M000826/1	[STFC] Science and Technology Facilities Council	http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000271
ST/T000252/1	[STFC] Science and Technology Facilities Council	http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000271
P27800	Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung	http://viaf.org/viaf/154268016
2019VMA052	Zhongguo ke xue yuan	http://viaf.org/viaf/168763948