arXiv subjects

A. G. Kosovichev

Publications and source records attributed to A. G. Kosovichev.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Observational Investigation of Energy Release in the Lower Solar Atmosphere of a Solar Flare

We study flare processes in the lower solar atmosphere using observational data for a M1-class flare of June 12, 2014, obtained by New Solar Telescope (NST/BBSO) and Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI/SDO). The main goal is to understand triggers and manifestations of the flare energy release in the lower layers of the solar atmosphere (the photosphere and chromosphere) using high-resolution optical observations and magnetic field measurements. We analyze optical images, HMI Dopplergrams and vector magnetograms, and use Non-Linear Force-Free Field (NLFFF) extrapolations for reconstruction of the magnetic topology. The NLFFF modelling reveals interaction of oppositely directed magnetic flux-tubes in the PIL. These two interacting magnetic flux tubes are observed as a compact sheared arcade along the PIL in the high-resolution broad-band continuum images from NST. In the vicinity of the PIL, the NST H alpha observations reveal formation of a thin three-ribbon structure corresponding to the small-scale photospheric magnetic arcade. Presented observational results evidence in favor of location of the primary energy release site in the dense chromosphere where plasma is partially ionized in the region of strong electric currents concentrated near the polarity inversion line. Magnetic reconnection may be triggered by two interacting magnetic flux tubes with forming current sheet elongated along the PIL.

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arXiv2016

Relationship between chromospheric evaporation and magnetic field topology in M-class solar flare

Chromospheric evaporation is observed as Doppler blueshift during solar flares. It plays one of key roles in dynamics and energetics of solar flares, however, its mechanism is still unknown. In this paper we present a detailed analysis of spatially-resolved multi-wavelength observations of chromospheric evaporation during an M 1.0 class solar flare (SOL2014-06-12T21:12) using data from the NASA's IRIS (Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph) and HMI/SDO (Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager onboard Solar Dynamics Observatory) telescopes, and VIS/NST (Visible Imaging Spectrometer at New Solar Telescope) high-resolution observations, covering the temperature range from 10^4 K to 10^7 K. The results show that the averaged over the region Fe XXI blueshift of the hot evaporating plasma is delayed relative to the C II redshift of the relatively cold chromospheric plasma by about 1 min. The spatial distribution of the delays is not uniform across the region and can be as long as 2 min in several zones. Using vector magnetograms from HMI we reconstruct the magnetic field topology and the quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) and find that the blueshift delay regions as well as the H-alpha flare ribbons are connected to the region of magnetic polarity inversion line (PIL) and an expanding flux rope via a system of low-lying loop arcades with height < ~4.5 Mm. This allows us to propose an interpretation of the chromospheric evaporation based on the geometry of local magnetic fields, and the primary energy source associated with the PIL.

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arXiv2016

Angular momentum fluxes caused by Lambda-effect and meridional circulation structure of the Sun

Using mean-field hydrodynamic models of the solar angular momentum balance we show that the non-monotonic latitudinal dependence of the radial angular momentum fluxes caused by Lambda-effect can affect the number of the meridional circulation cells stacking in radial direction in the solar convection zone. In particular, our results show the possibility of a complicated triple-cell meridional circulation structure. This pattern consists of two large counterclockwise circulation cells (the N-hemisphere) and a smaller clockwise cell located at low latitudes at the bottom of the convection zone.

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arXiv2015

On the role of tachoclines in solar and stellar dynamos

Rotational shear layers at the boundary between radiative and convective zones, tachoclines, play a key role in the process of magnetic field generation in solar-like stars. We present two sets of global simulations of rotating turbulent convection and dynamo. The first set considers a stellar convective envelope only; the second one, aiming at the formation of a tachocline, considers also the upper part of the radiative zone. Our results indicate that the resulting mean-flows and dynamo properties like the growth rate, saturation energy and mode depend on the Rossby (Ro) number. For the first set of models either oscillatory (with ~2 yr period) or steady dynamo solutions are obtained. The models in the second set naturally develop a tachocline which, in turn, leads to the generation of strong mean magnetic field. Since the field is also deposited into the stable deeper layer, its evolutionary time-scale is much longer than in the models without a tachocline. Surprisingly, the magnetic field in the upper turbulent convection zone evolves in the same time scale as the deep field. These models result in either an oscillatory dynamo with ~30 yr period or in a steady dynamo depending on Ro. In terms of the mean-field dynamo coefficients computed using FOSA, the field evolution in the oscillatory models without a tachocline seems to be consistent with dynamo waves propagating according to the Parker-Yoshimura sign rule. In the models with tachoclines the dynamics is more complex involving other transport mechanisms as well as tachocline instabilities.

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arXiv2015

Effects of large-scale non-axisymmetric perturbations in the mean-field solar dynamo

We explore a response of a non-linear non-axisymmetric mean-field solar dynamo model to shallow non-axisymmetric perturbations. After a relaxation period the amplitude of the non-axisymmetric field depends on the initial condition, helicity conservation, and the depth of perturbation. It is found that a perturbation which is anchored at r=0.9R has a profound effect on the dynamo process, producing a transient magnetic cycle of the axisymmetric magnetic field, if it is initiated at the growing phase of the cycle. The non-symmetric with respect to the equator perturbation results in a hemispheric asymmetry of the magnetic activity. The evolution of the axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric field depends on the turbulent magnetic Reynolds number R_m. In the range of R_m=10^{4-6} the evolution returns to the normal course in the next cycle, in which the non-axisymmetric field is generated due to a non-linear alpha-effect and magnetic buoyancy. In the stationary state the large-scale magnetic field demonstrates a phenomenon of "active longitudes" with cyclic 180 degree "flip-flop" changes of the large-scale magnetic field orientation. The flip-flop effect is known from observations of solar and stellar magnetic cycles. However this effect disappears in the model which includes the meridional circulation pattern determined by helioseismology. The rotation rate of the non-axisymmetric field components varies during the relaxation period, and carries important information about the dynamo process.

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arXiv2015

Realistic modeling of local dynamo processes on the Sun

Magnetic fields are usually observed in the quiet Sun as small-scale elements that cover the entire solar surface (the `salt and pepper' patterns in line-of-sight magnetograms). By using 3D radiative MHD numerical simulations we find that these fields result from a local dynamo action in the top layers of the convection zone, where extremely weak 'seed' magnetic fields (e.g., from a $10^{-6}$ G) can locally grow above the mean equipartition field, to a stronger than 2000~G field localized in magnetic structures. Our results reveal that the magnetic flux is predominantly generated in regions of small-scale helical downflows. We find that the local dynamo action takes place mostly in a shallow, about 500~km deep, subsurface layer, from which the generated field is transported into the deeper layers by convective downdrafts. We demonstrate that the observed dominance of vertical magnetic fields at the photosphere and horizontal fields above the photosphere can be explained by small-scale magnetic loops produced by the dynamo. Such small-scale loops play an important role in the structure and dynamics of the solar atmosphere and that their detection in observations is critical for understanding the local dynamo action on the Sun.

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arXiv2015

A method for the estimation of p-mode parameters from averaged solar oscillation power spectra

A new fitting methodology is presented which is equally well suited for the estimation of low-, medium-, and high-degree mode parameters from $m$-averaged solar oscillation power spectra of widely differing spectral resolution. This method, which we call the "Windowed, MuLTiple-Peak, averaged spectrum", or WMLTP Method, constructs a theoretical profile by convolving the weighted sum of the profiles of the modes appearing in the fitting box with the power spectrum of the window function of the observing run using weights from a leakage matrix that takes into account both observational and physical effects, such as the distortion of modes by solar latitudinal differential rotation. We demonstrate that the WMLTP Method makes substantial improvements in the inferences of the properties of the solar oscillations in comparison with a previous method that employed a single profile to represent each spectral peak. We also present an inversion for the internal solar structure which is based upon 6,366 modes that we have computed using the WMLTP method on the 66-day long 2010 SOHO/MDI Dynamics Run. To improve both the numerical stability and reliability of the inversion we developed a new procedure for the identification and correction of outliers in a frequency data set. We present evidence for a pronounced departure of the sound speed in the outer half of the solar convection zone and in the subsurface shear layer from the radial sound speed profile contained in Model~S of Christensen-Dalsgaard and his collaborators that existed in the rising phase of Solar Cycle~24 during mid-2010.

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arXiv2015

Dynamics of Electric Currents, Magnetic Field Topology and Helioseismic Response of a Solar Flare

The solar flare on July 30, 2011 was of a modest X-ray class (M9.3), but it made a strong photospheric impact and produced a "sunquake," observed with the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). In addition to the helioseismic waves (also observed with the SDO/AIA instrument), the flare caused a large expanding area of white-light emission and was accompanied by substantial restructuring of magnetic fields, leading to the rapid formation of a sunspot structure in the flare region. The flare produced no significant hard X-ray emission and no coronal mass ejection. This indicates that the flare energy release was mostly confined to the lower atmosphere. The absence of significant coronal mass ejection rules out magnetic rope eruption as a mechanism of helioseismic waves. We discuss the connectivity of the flare energy release with the electric currents dynamics and show the potential importance of high-speed plasma flows in the lower solar atmosphere during the flare energy release.

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arXiv2014

Energy Release and Initiation of Sunquake in C-class Flare

We present analysis of C7.0 solar flare of Febrary 17, 2013, revealing a strong helioseismic response (sunquake) caused by a very compact impact in the photosphere. This is the weakest known C-class flare generating a sunquake event. To investigate possible mechanisms of this event, and to understand the role of accelerated charged particles and photospheric electric currents, we use data from three space observatories: Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI), Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). We find that the photospheric flare impact does not spatially correspond to the strongest HXR emission source, but both of these events are parts of the same energy release. Our analysis reveals a close association of the flare energy release with a rapid increase of the electric currents, and suggests that the sunquake initiation is unlikely to be explained by the impact of high-energy electrons but may be associated with a rapid current dissipation or a localized impulsive Lorentz force.

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arXiv2014

Solar Meridional Flow in the Shallow Interior during the Rising Phase of Cycle 24

Solar subsurface zonal and meridional-flow profiles during the rising phase of solar cycle 24 are studied using time-distance helioseismology technique. The faster zonal bands in the torsional-oscillation pattern show strong hemispheric asymmetries and temporal variations in both width and speed. The faster band in the northern hemisphere is located closer to the equator than the band in the southern hemisphere, and migrates past the equator when the magnetic activity in the southern hemisphere is reaching maximum. The meridional-flow speed decreases substantially with the increase of magnetic activity, and the flow profile shows two zonal structures in each hemisphere. The residual meridional flow, after subtracting a mean meridional-flow profile, converges toward the activity belts and shows faster and slower bands like the torsional-oscillation pattern. More interestingly, the meridional-flow speed above latitude 30 degree shows an anti-correlation with the poleward-transporting magnetic flux, slower when the following-polarity flux is transported and faster when the leading-polarity flux is transported. It is expected that this phenomenon slows the process of magnetic cancellation and polarity reversal in the high-latitude areas.

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arXiv2014

Fine structure of flare ribbons and evolution of electric currents

Emission of solar flares across the electromagnetic spectrum is often observed in the form of two expanding ribbons. The standard flare model explains the flare ribbons as footpoints of magnetic arcades, emitting due to interaction of energetic particles with the chromospheric plasma. However, the physics of this interaction and properties of the accelerated particles are still unknown. We present results of multiwavelength observations of C2.1 flare of August 15, 2013, observed with New Solar Telescope (NST) of Big Bear Solar Observatory, Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), GOES and FERMI spacecraft. The observations reveal previously unresolved sub-arcsecond structure of the flare ribbons in regions of strong magnetic field consisting from numerous small-scale bright knots. We observe red-blue asymmetry of H alpha flare ribbons with a width as small as 100 km. We discuss the relationship between the ribbons and vertical electric currents estimated from vector magnetograms, and show that Joule heating can be responsible for energization of H alpha knots in the ribbons.

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arXiv2013

Mechanism of local dynamo action on the Sun

In the quiet Sun, magnetic fields are usually observed as small-scale magnetic elements, `salt and pepper', covering the entire solar surface. By using 3D radiative MHD numerical simulations we demonstrate that these fields are a result of local dynamo action in the top layers of the convection zone, where extremely weak `seed' magnetic fields can locally grow above the mean equipartition field (e.g., from a $10^{-6}$ G `seed' field to more than 1000 G magnetic structures). We find that the local dynamo action takes place only in a shallow, about 500 km deep, subsurface layer, from which the generated field is transported into deeper layers by convection downdrafts. We demonstrate that the observed dominance of vertical magnetic fields at the photosphere and the horizontal fields above the photosphere can be explained by multi-scale magnetic loops produced by the dynamo.

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arXiv2013

Effects of anisotropy of turbulent convection in mean-field solar dynamo models

We study how anisotropy of turbulent convection affects diffusion of large-scale magnetic fields and the dynamo process on the Sun. The effect of anisotropy is calculated in a mean-field magneto-hydrodynamics framework using the minimal $τ$-approximation. We examine two types of mean-field dynamo models: the well-known benchmark flux-transport model, and a distributed-dynamo model with the subsurface rotational shear layer. For both models we investigate effects of the double-cell meridional circulation, recently suggested by helioseismology. We introduce a parameter of anisotropy as a ratio of the radial and horizontal intensity of turbulent mixing, to characterize the anisotropy effects. It is found that the anisotropy of turbulent convection affects the distribution of magnetic fields inside the convection zone. The concentration of the magnetic flux near the bottom and top boundaries of the convection zone is greater when the anisotropy is stronger. It is shown that the critical dynamo number and the dynamo period approach to constant values for the large anisotropy parameter. The anisotropy reduces the overlap of the toroidal fields of subsequent cycles in the time-latitude ``butterfly' diagram. If we assume that sunspots are formed in the vicinity of the subsurface shear layer, then the distributed dynamo model with anisotropic diffusivity satisfies the observational constraints from heloseismology results and is consistent with the value of effective turbulent diffusion, estimated from the dynamics of surface magnetic fields.

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arXiv2013

Differential rotation in solar-like stars from global simulations

To explore the physics of large-scale flows in solar-like stars, we perform 3D anelastic simulations of rotating convection for global models with stratification resembling the solar interior. The numerical method is based on an implicit large-eddy simulation approach designed to capture effects from non-resolved small scales. We obtain two regimes of differential rotation, with equatorial zonal flows accelerated either in the direction of rotation (solar-like) or in the opposite direction (anti-solar). While the models with the solar-like differential rotation tend to produce multiple cells of meridional circulation, the models with anti-solar differential rotation result in only one or two meridional cells. Our simulations indicate that the rotation and large-scale flow patterns critically depend on the ratio between buoyancy and Coriolis forces. By including a subadiabatic layer at the bottom of the domain, corresponding to the stratification of a radiative zone, we reproduce a layer of strong radial shear similar to the solar tachocline. Similarly, enhanced superadiabaticity at the top results in a near-surface shear layer located mainly at lower latitudes. The models reveal a latitudinal entropy gradient localized at the base of the convection zone and in the stable region, which however does not propagate across the convection zone. In consequence, baroclinicity effects remain small and the rotation iso-contours align in cylinders along the rotation axis. Our results confirm the alignment of large convective cells along the rotation axis in the deep convection zone, and suggest that such "banana-cell" pattern can be hidden beneath the supergranulation layer.

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arXiv2013

Detection of Equatorward Meridional Flow and Evidence of Double-Cell Meridional Circulation inside the Sun

Meridional flow in the solar interior plays an important role in redistributing angular momentum and transporting magnetic flux inside the Sun. Although it has long been recognized that the meridional flow is predominantly poleward at the Sun's surface and in its shallow interior, the location of the equatorward return flow and the meridional flow profile in the deeper interior remain unclear. Using the first two years of continuous helioseismology observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory / Helioseismic Magnetic Imager, we analyze travel times of acoustic waves that propagate through different depths of the solar interior carrying information about the solar interior dynamics. After removing a systematic center-to-limb effect in the helioseismic measurements and performing inversions for flow speed, we find that the poleward meridional flow of a speed of 15 m/s extends in depth from the photosphere to about 0.91 R_sun. An equatorward flow of a speed of 10 m/s is found between 0.82 to 0.91 R_sun in the middle of the convection zone. Our analysis also shows evidence of that the meridional flow turns poleward again below 0.82 R_sun, indicating an existence of a second meridional circulation cell below the shallower one. This double-cell meridional circulation profile with an equatorward flow shallower than previously thought suggests a rethinking of how magnetic field is generated and redistributed inside the Sun.

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arXiv2013

The mean-field solar dynamo with double cell meridional circulation pattern

Recent findings of helioseismology as well as advances in direct numerical simulations of global dynamics of the Sun have indicated that in each solar hemisphere the meridional circulation forms the two cells along the in the convection zone. We investigate properties of a mean-field solar dynamo with such double-cell meridional circulation. The dynamo model also includes the realistic profile of solar differential rotation (including the tachocline and subsurface shear layer), and takes into account effects of turbulent pumping, anisotropic turbulent diffusivity, and conservation of magnetic helicity. Contrary to previous flux-transport dynamo models, it is found that the dynamo model can robustly reproduce the basic properties of the solar magnetic cycles for a wide range of model parameters and the circulation speed. The best agreement with observations is achieved when the surface speed of meridional circulation is about 12 m/s. For this circulation speed the simulated sunspot activity shows good synchronization with the polar magnetic fields. Such synchronization was indeed observed during the past sunspot cycles 21 and 22. We compare theoretical and observed phase diagrams of the sunspot number and the polar field strength and discuss the peculiar properties of Cycle 23.

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arXiv2012

Ubiquitous Solar Eruptions Driven by Magnetized Vortex Tubes

The solar surface is covered by high-speed jets transporting mass and energy into the solar corona and feeding the solar wind. The most prominent of these jets have been known as spicules. However, the mechanism initiating these eruptions events is still unknown. Using realistic numerical simulations we find that small-scale eruptions are produced by ubiquitous magnetized vortex tubes generated by the Sun's turbulent convection in subsurface layers. The swirling vortex tubes (resembling tornadoes) penetrate into the solar atmosphere, capture and stretch background magnetic field, and push surrounding material up, generating quasiperiodic shocks. Our simulations reveal a complicated high-speed flow patterns, and thermodynamic and magnetic structure in the erupting vortex tubes. We found that the eruptions are initiated in the subsurface layers and are driven by the high-pressure gradients in the subphotosphere and photosphere, and by the Lorentz force in the higher atmosphere layers.

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arXiv2012

Turbulent Kinetic Energy Spectra of Solar Convection from NST Observations and Realistic MHD Simulations

Turbulent properties of the quiet Sun represent the basic state of surface conditions, and a background for various processes of solar activity. Therefore understanding of properties and dynamics of this `basic' state is important for investigation of more complex phenomena, formation and development of observed phenomena in the photosphere and atmosphere. For characterization of the turbulent properties we compare kinetic energy spectra on granular and sub-granular scales obtained from infrared TiO observations with the New Solar Telescope (Big Bear Solar Observatory) and from 3D radiative MHD numerical simulations ('SolarBox' code). We find that the numerical simulations require a high spatial resolution with 10 - 25 km grid-step in order to reproduce the inertial (Kolmogorov) turbulence range. The observational data require an averaging procedure to remove noise and potential instrumental artifacts. The resulting kinetic energy spectra show a good agreement between the simulations and observations, opening new perspectives for detailed joint analysis of more complex turbulent phenomena on the Sun, and possibly on other stars. In addition, using the simulations and observations we investigate effects of background magnetic field, which is concentrated in self-organized complicated structures in intergranular lanes, and find an increase of the small-scale turbulence energy and its decrease at larger scales due to magnetic field effects.

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