Simulations of Buoyant Plumes in Solar Prominences

TL;DR

This paper uses 2.5D MHD simulations to explore the complex flow dynamics within solar prominences, including quiescent and active types, revealing nonlinear behaviors influenced by magnetic fields and plasma gradients.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed MHD simulation model that mimics solar prominence conditions to study their internal flow dynamics and nonlinear behaviors.

Findings

Flow within quiescent prominences shows long threads and dark bubbles.

Active prominences exhibit helical motions along the axis.

Nonlinear behaviors depend on magnetic configurations and plasma gradients.

Abstract

Observations of solar prominences reveal a complex, dynamic flow field within them. The flow field within quiescent prominences is characterized by long ``threads'' and dark ``bubbles'' that fall and rise (respectively) in a thin sheet. The flow field in active prominences display more helical motions that travel along the axis of the prominence. We explore the possible dynamics of both of these with the aid of 2.5D MHD simulations. Our model, compressible plasma possesses density and temperature gradients and resides in magnetic field configurations that mimc those of a solar prominence. We present results of various configurations and discuss the nonlinear behavior of the resulting dynamics.