Interaction of Two Filament Channels of Different Chiralities

TL;DR

This study observes interactions between two filament channels of different chiralities, revealing magnetic reconnection facilitated by fan-spine magnetic configurations and null points, leading to plasma transfer and filament activation.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of how filaments with different chiralities interact via magnetic reconnection in fan-spine configurations.

Findings

Filament activations propagate between channels.

Magnetic reconnection occurs at null points.

Hot plasma moves along spine lines during interactions.

Abstract

We present observations of interactions between the two filament channels of different chiralities and associated dynamics that occurred during 2014 April 18 -- 20. While two flux ropes of different helicity with parallel axial magnetic fields can only undergo a bounce interaction when they are brought together, the observations at the first glance show that the heated plasma is moving from one filament channel to the other. The SDO/AIA 171 A observations and the PFSS magnetic field extrapolation reveal the presence of fan-spine magnetic configuration over the filament channels with a null point located above them. Three different events of filament activations, partial eruptions, and associated filament channel interactions have been observed. The activation initiated in one filament channel seems to propagate along the neighbour filament channel. We believe that the activation and partial eruption of the filaments bring the field lines of flux ropes containing them closer to the null point and trigger the magnetic reconnection between them and the fan-spine magnetic configuration. As a result, the hot plasma moves along the outer spine line toward the remote point. Utilizing the present observations, for the first time we have discussed how two different-chirality filament channels can interact and show interrelation.