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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 ISSN 0004-637X.
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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/abfa98
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 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QB Astronomy | ||||||||||||||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > 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: |
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Volume: | 914 | ||||||||||||||||||
Number: | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Article Number: | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
DOI: | 10.3847/1538-4357/abfa98 | ||||||||||||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||||||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||||||||||||
Reuse Statement (publisher, data, author rights): | 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 22 April 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 9 June 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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Is Part Of: | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
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