Foullon, C. (Claire), Verwichte, E. (Erwin), Nakariakov, V. M. (Valery M.), Nykyri, Katariina and Farrugia, C. J. (Charles John). (2011) Magnetic Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the sun. The Astrophysical Journal. Letters, Vol.729 (No.1). article no. L8. ISSN 2041-8205

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Abstract

Flows and instabilities play a major role in the dynamics of magnetized plasmas including the solar corona, magnetospheric and heliospheric boundaries, cometary tails, and astrophysical jets. The nonlinear effects, multi-scale and microphysical interactions inherent to the flow-driven instabilities, are believed to play a role, e.g., in plasma entry across a discontinuity, generation of turbulence, and enhanced drag. However, in order to clarify the efficiency of macroscopic instabilities in these processes, we lack proper knowledge of their overall morphological features. Here we show the first observations of the temporally and spatially resolved evolution of the magnetic Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the solar corona. Unprecedented high-resolution imaging observations of vortices developing at the surface of a fast coronal mass ejecta are taken by the new Solar Dynamics Observatory, validating theories of the nonlinear dynamics involved. The new findings are a cornerstone for developing a unifying theory on flow-driven instabilities in rarefied magnetized plasmas, which is important for understanding the fundamental processes at work in key regions of the Sun-Earth system.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Physics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, Solar oscillations, Sun -- Corona, Coronal mass ejections, Solar-terrestrial physics, Plasma astrophysics, Plasma (Ionized gases)
Journal or Publication Title:	The Astrophysical Journal. Letters
Publisher:	Institute of Physics Publishing, Inc.
ISSN:	2041-8205
Date:	2011
Volume:	Vol.729
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	article no. L8
Identification Number:	10.1088/2041-8205/729/1/L8
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/40032

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