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Piyali Chatterjee

Publications and source records attributed to Piyali Chatterjee.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

On the Relationship between Solar Spicules and Propagating Coronal Disturbances: The Role of Shocks

Spicules and propagating coronal disturbances (PCDs) are ubiquitous dynamic features of the solar atmosphere, yet their physical connection remains an open question of paramount importance to the mass and energy transport in the solar atmosphere. Using concurrent multiwavelength high-resolution observations from the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope and the Solar Dynamics Observatory, supported with two-dimensional radiative magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, we find that i) shock waves in the chromosphere generated from non-linear wave steepening drive some spicules, ii) in the corona, these shock waves may transition into large amplitude non-linear compressive MHD waves depending on the magnetic field strength and the ambient coronal conditions. In either case, the shocks or the large-amplitude compressive waves in the corona, also transport upward mass flux and produce intensity variations in the form of PCDs in coronal passbands. Further a multi-height wavelet analysis shows dominant $\sim$5 minute periods in the lower chromosphere that evolve into longer periods ($\ge$10 minutes) at higher atmospheric layers, consistent with dispersive propagation in a stratified medium. The observational characteristics together with the numerical simulations, demonstrate that a shock-driven MHD mechanism links spicule formation to coronal disturbances. Finally, mass flux estimates from both the observations and the simulations indicate that these PCDs can also aid in supplying mass to the solar wind.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2025

The Relation between Solar Spicules and Magnetohydrodynamic Shocks

Spicules are thin, elongated jet-like features seen in observations of the solar atmosphere, at the interface between the solar photosphere and the corona. These features exhibit highly complex dynamics and are a necessary connecting link between the cooler, denser solar chromosphere and the extremely hot, tenuous corona. In this work, we explore the spatial and temporal relation between solar spicules and magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) shocks using data from a 2D radiative MHD (rMHD) simulation of the solar atmosphere driven by solar convection. Here, we demonstrate, through direct identification, that slow MHD shocks, which propagate along magnetic field lines, are regions of strong positive vertical acceleration of the plasma that forms the tip of the spicule material during its rise phase. We quantify the effect of pressure and Lorentz forces on the acceleration of the plasma inside the shocks during the rise of spicules. The causality between spicule and shock propagation in the atmosphere of the model is also investigated. It is further shown that the strength of these shocks may play a vital role in determining the height of the spicules, supporting the idea that shocks act as drivers of some spicules. In addition, we also find the presence of structures similar to propagating coronal disturbances (PCDs) in the simulation, linked with the spicules. Here, PCDs appear to be associated with the shock waves driving the spicules that subsequently propagate into the corona and have similar speeds to those reported in observations.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2025

Computational Astrophysics, Data Science & AI/ML in Astronomy: A Perspective from Indian Community

In contemporary astronomy and astrophysics (A&A), the integration of high-performance computing (HPC), big data analytics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) has become essential for advancing research across a wide range of scientific domains. These tools are playing an increasingly pivotal role in accelerating discoveries, simulating complex astrophysical phenomena, and analyzing vast amounts of observational data. For India to maintain and enhance its competitive edge in the global landscape of computational astrophysics and data science, it is crucial for the Indian A&A community to fully embrace these transformative technologies. Despite limited resources, the expanding Indian community has already made significant scientific contributions. However, to remain globally competitive in the coming years, it is vital to establish a robust national framework that provides researchers with reliable access to state-of-the-art computational resources. This system should involve the regular solicitation of computational proposals, which can be assessed by domain experts and HPC specialists, ensuring that high-impact research receives the necessary support. By building such a system, India can cultivate the talent, infrastructure, and collaborative environment necessary to foster world-class research in computational astrophysics and data science.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2024

Evolution of reconnection flux during eruption of magnetic flux ropes

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are powerful drivers of space weather, with magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) widely regarded as their primary precursors. However, the variation in reconnection flux during the evolution of MFR during CME eruptions remains poorly understood. In this paper, we develop a realistic 3D magneto-hydrodynamic model using which we explore the temporal evolution of reconnection flux during the MFR evolution using both numerical simulations and observational data. Our initial coronal configuration features an isothermal atmosphere and a potential arcade magnetic field beneath which an MFR emerges at the lower boundary. As the MFR rises, we observe significant stretching and compression of the overlying magnetic field beneath it. Magnetic reconnection begins with the gradual formation of a current sheet, eventually culminating with the impulsive expulsion of the flux rope. We analyze the temporal evolution of reconnection fluxes during two successive MFR eruptions while continuously emerging the twisted flux rope through the lower boundary. We also conduct a similar analysis using observational data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) for an eruptive event. Comparing our MHD simulation with observational data, we find that reconnection flux play a crucial role in determination of CME speeds. From the onset to the eruption, the reconnection flux shows a strong linear correlation with the velocity. This nearly realistic simulation of a solar eruption provides important insights into the complex dynamics of CME initiation and progression.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2024

Spinning solar jets explained through the interplay between plasma sheets and vortex columns

Bunches of swaying and spinning plasma jets in the solar atmosphere - the spicules - exhibit a variety of complex dynamics that are clearly observed in the images of the solar limb. Utilizing three-dimensional radiative magnetohydrodynamics (rMHD) simulation data, we uncover another facet of a forest of spicules that turns out to be a manifestation of the two-dimensional plasma drapery, instead of one-dimensional conical spikes. This fluted morphology is observed in other contexts like molecular clouds, auroras, and coronal loops. Further, using a sequence of high-cadence line-of-sight integrated images, generated from our simulation, we obtain multiple episodes of spinning amongst clusters of synthetic spicules, also reported in observations near the solar limb. This perception of rotation, according to our findings, is associated with hot swirling plasma columns, extending to coronal heights - that we label as coronal swirling conduits (CoSCo).

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2024

Dependence of Spicule Properties on the Magnetic Field -- Results from Magnetohydrodynamics Simulations

Solar spicules are plasma jets observed in the interface region between the visible solar surface and the corona. At any given time, there are millions of spicules present all over the Sun. While various models attempt to elucidate their origin and characteristics, here, we consider the one driven by the magneto-convection undulations. The radiative magneto-hydrodynamical (rMHD) equations are solved using PENCIL CODE with a spatial resolution of 16 km using various magnetic field strengths. The obtained rMHD simulation data are investigated to unveil the various trends in spicular properties as function of the applied magnetic fields. The important outcome of this study is the finding of a consistent reduction in both the number density and the maximum height reached by spicules as magnetic field strength increases. We also use parabolic fitting on time-distance curves of spicules that are taller than $75^\mathrm{th}$ percentile in the distribution, in order to find a relation between deceleration of the spicule tip and the magnetic field strength. Our results offer insights into the response of solar spicules to magnetic field strength.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2023

Photospheric Lorentz force changes in eruptive and confined solar flares

Solar flares are known to leave imprints on the magnetic field at the photosphere, often manifested as an abrupt and permanent change in the downward-directed Lorentz force in localized areas inside the active region. Our study aims to differentiate eruptive and confined solar flares based on the vertical Lorentz force variations. We select 26 eruptive and 11 confined major solar flares (stronger than the GOES M5 class) observed during 2011-2017. We analyze these flaring regions using SHARP vector-magnetograms obtained from the NASA's Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI). We also compare data corresponding to 2 synthetic flares from a $\delta$--sunspot simulation reported in Chatterjee et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 101101 (2016)]. We estimate the change in the horizontal magnetic field and the total Lorentz force integrated over an area around the polarity inversion line (PIL) that encompasses the location of the flare. Our results indicate a rapid increase of the horizontal magnetic field along the flaring PIL, accompanied by a significant change in the downward-directed Lorentz force in the same vicinity. Notably, we find that all the confined events under study exhibit a total change in Lorentz force of < $1.8 \times 10^{22}$ dyne. This threshold plays an important factor in effectively distinguishing eruptive and confined flares. Further, our analysis suggests that the change in total Lorentz force also depends on the reconnection height in the solar corona during the associated flare onset. The results provide significant implications for understanding the flare-related upward impulse transmission for the associated coronal mass ejection.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2023

Data processing of Visible Emission Line Coronagraph Onboard ADITYA L1

ADITYA-L1 is India's first dedicated mission to observe the sun and its atmosphere from a halo orbit around L1 point. Visible emission line coronagraph (VELC) is the prime payload on board at Aditya-L1 to observe the sun's corona. VELC is designed as an internally occulted reflective coronagraph to meet the observational requirements of wide wavelength band and close to the solar limb (1.05 Ro). Images of the solar corona in continuum and spectra in three emission lines 5303{\AA} [Fe xiv], 7892{\AA} [Fe xi] and 10747 [Fe xiii] obtained with high cadence to be analyzed using software algorithms automatically. A reasonable part of observations will be made in synoptic mode, those, need to be analyzed and results made available for public use. The procedure involves the calibration of instrument and detectors, converting the images into fits format, correcting the images and spectra for the instrumental effects, align the images etc. Then, develop image processing algorithms to detect the occurrence of energetic events using continuum images. Also derive physical parameters, such as temperature and velocity structure of solar corona using emission line observations. Here, we describe the calibration of detectors and the development of software algorithms to detect the occurrence of CMEs and analyze the spectroscopic data.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2022

Polymeric jets throw light on the origin and nature of the forest of solar spicules

Spicules are plasma jets, observed in the dynamic interface region between the visible solar surface and the hot corona. At any given time, it is estimated that about 3 million spicules are present on the Sun. We find an intriguing parallel between the simulated spicular forest in a solar-like atmosphere and the numerous jets of polymeric fluids when both are subjected to harmonic forcing. In a radiative magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulation with sub-surface convection, solar global surface oscillations are excited similarly to those harmonic vibrations. The jets thus produced match remarkably well with the forests of spicules detected in observations of the Sun. Taken together, the numerical simulations of the Sun and the laboratory fluid dynamics experiments provide insights into the mechanism underlying the ubiquity of jets: the nonlinear focusing of quasi-periodic waves in anisotropic media of magnetized plasma as well as polymeric fluids under gravity is sufficient to generate a forest of spicules on the Sun.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2020

Computational modeling of Human-nCoV protein-protein interaction network

COVID-19 has created a global pandemic with high morbidity and mortality in 2020. Novel coronavirus (nCoV), also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), is responsible for this deadly disease. International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) has declared that nCoV is highly genetically similar to SARS-CoV epidemic in 2003 (89% similarity). Limited number of clinically validated Human-nCoV protein interaction data is available in the literature. With this hypothesis, the present work focuses on developing a computational model for nCoV-Human protein interaction network, using the experimentally validated SARS-CoV-Human protein interactions. Initially, level-1 and level-2 human spreader proteins are identified in SARS-CoV-Human interaction network, using Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible (SIS) model. These proteins are considered as potential human targets for nCoV bait proteins. A gene-ontology based fuzzy affinity function has been used to construct the nCoV-Human protein interaction network at 99.98% specificity threshold. This also identifies the level-1 human spreaders for COVID-19 in human protein-interaction network. Level-2 human spreaders are subsequently identified using the SIS model. The derived host-pathogen interaction network is finally validated using 7 potential FDA listed drugs for COVID-19 with significant overlap between the known drug target proteins and the identified spreader proteins.

q-bio.MN↗
arXiv2019

Testing Alfvén wave propagation in a "realistic" set-up of the solar atmosphere

We present a radiative magneto-hydrodynamic simulation set-up using the PENCIL CODE to study the generation, propagation and dissipation of Alfvén waves in the solar atmosphere which includes a convective layer, photosphere below and chromosphere, transition region and the corona above. We prepare a setup of steady-state solar convection where the imposed external magnetic field also has reached the final value gradually starting from a very small value. From that state, we start several simulations by varying the magnetic Prandtl number and the forcing strengths. We find the propagation characteristics of waves excited in this simulation run depend strongly on the magnetic Prandtl number and the wave number of the forcing. For magnetic Prandtl number of unity, we obtain localized heating in the corona due to shock dissipation.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2018

Applying the weighted horizontal magnetic gradient method to a simulated flaring Active Region

Here, we test the weighted horizontal magnetic gradient ($WG_M$) as a flare precursor, introduced by Korsos et. al. (2015, ApJ, 802, L21), by applying it to a magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of solar-like flares Chatterjee et. al. (2016, Physical Review Letters, 116, 10, 101101). The pre-flare evolution of the $WG_M$ and the behavior of the distance parameter between the area-weighted barycenters of opposite polarity sunspots at various heights is investigated in the simulated $δ$-type sunspot. Four flares emanated from this sunspot. We found the optimum heights above the photosphere where the flare precursors of the $WG_M$ method are identifiable prior to each flare. These optimum heights agree reasonably well with the heights of the occurrence of flares identified from the analysis of their thermal and Ohmic heating signatures in the simulation. We also estimated the expected time of the flare onsets from the duration of the approaching-receding motion of the barycenters of opposite polarities before each single flare. The estimated onset time and the actual time of occurrence of each flare are in good agreement at the corresponding optimum heights. This numerical experiment further supports the use of flare precursors based on the $WG_M$ method.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2016

Modeling Repeatedly Flaring $δ$ Sunspots

Active regions (AR) appearing on the surface of the Sun are classified into $α$, $β$, $γ$, and $δ$ by the rules of the Mount Wilson Observatory, California on the basis of their topological complexity. Amongst these, the $δ$-sunspots are known to be super-active and produce the most X-ray flares. Here, we present results from a simulation of the Sun by mimicking the upper layers and the corona, but starting at a more primitive stage than any earlier treatment. We find that this initial state consisting of only a thin sub-photospheric magnetic sheet breaks into multiple flux-tubes which evolve into a colliding-merging system of spots of opposite polarity upon surface emergence, similar to those often seen on the Sun. The simulation goes on to produce many exotic $δ$-sunspot associated phenomena: repeated flaring in the range of typical solar flare energy release and ejective helical flux ropes with embedded cool-dense plasma filaments resembling solar coronal mass ejections.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Simulation of homologous and cannibalistic Coronal Mass Ejections produced by the emergence of a twisted flux rope into the Solar Corona

We report the first results of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the development of a homologous sequence of three coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and demonstrate their so-called cannibalistic behavior. These CMEs originate from the repeated formations and partial eruptions of kink unstable flux ropes as a result of continued emergence of a twisted flux rope across the lower boundary into a pre-existing coronal potential arcade field. The simulation shows that a CME erupting into the open magnetic field created by a preceding CME has a higher speed. The second of the three successive CMEs simulated is cannibalistic catching up and merging with the first into a single fast CME before exiting the domain. All the CMEs including the leading merged CME, attained speeds of about 1000 km/s as they exit the domain. The reformation of a twisted flux rope after each CME eruption during the sustained flux emergence can naturally explain the X-ray observations of repeated reformations of sigmoids and "sigmoid-under-cusp" configurations at a low-coronal source of homologous CMEs.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2011

Spontaneous chiral parity breaking by hydromagnetic buoyancy

Evidence for a parity-breaking nature of the magnetic buoyancy instability in a stably stratified gas is reported. In the absence of rotation, no helicity is produced, but the non-helical state is found to be unstable to small helical perturbations during the development of the instability. The parity-breaking nature of an instability in magnetohydrodynamics appears to be the first of its kind and is similar to chiral symmetry breaking in biochemistry. Applications to the production of mean fields in galaxy clusters are being discussed.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2010

Alpha effect due to buoyancy instability of a magnetic layer

A strong toroidal field can exist in form of a magnetic layer in the overshoot region below the solar convection zone. This motivates a more detailed study of the magnetic buoyancy instability with rotation. We calculate the alpha effect due to helical motions caused by a disintegrating magnetic layer in a rotating density-stratified system with angular velocity Omega making an angle theta with the vertical. We also study the dependence of the alpha effect on theta and the strength of the initial magnetic field. We carry out three-dimensional hydromagnetic simulations in Cartesian geometry. A turbulent EMF due to the correlations of the small scale velocity and magnetic field is generated. We use the test-field method to calculate the transport coefficients of the inhomogeneous turbulence produced by the layer. We show that the growth rate of the instability and the twist of the magnetic field vary monotonically with the ratio of thermal conductivity to magnetic diffusivity. The resulting alpha effect is inhomogeneous and increases with the strength of the initial magnetic field. It is thus an example of an "anti-quenched" alpha effect. The alpha effect is nonlocal, requiring around 8--16 Fourier modes to reconstruct the actual EMF based on the actual mean field.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2010

What do global p-modes tell us about banana cells?

We have calculated the effects of giant convection cells also know as sectoral rolls or banana cells, on p-mode splitting coefficients. We use the technique of quasi-degenerate perturbation theory formulated by Lavely & Ritzwoller in order to estimate the frequency shifts. A possible way of detecting giant cells is to look for even splitting coefficients of 'nearly degenerate' modes in the observational data since these modes have the largest shifts. We find that banana cells having an azimuthal wave number of 16 and maximum vertical velocity of 180 m/s cannot be ruled out from GONG data for even splitting coefficients.

astro-ph.SR↗