Experimental Demonstration of How Strapping Fields Can Inhibit Solar Prominence Eruptions

It has been conjectured that the eruption of a solar prominence can be inhibited if a much larger scale, arched magnetic field straddles the prominence,and effectively straps it down. We have demonstrated,this effect in a laboratory experiment where,a vacuum,strapping field acts on a scaled simulation of a solar prominence. The required magnitude,of the strapping field is in good agreement,with a theoretical model that takes into account the full three-dimensional magnetic topology. Subject headings: methods: laboratory — MHD — plasmas — Sun: flares — Sun: magnetic fields — Sun: prominences 1. BACKGROUND Solar prominences are large, arched plasma structures pro-