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Coronal Flux Rope Catastrophe Associated With Internal Energy Release
Author(s) -
Zhuang Bin,
Hu Youqiu,
Wang Yuming,
Zhang Quanhao,
Liu Rui,
Gou Tingyu,
Shen Chenglong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2018ja025283
Subject(s) - rope , flux (metallurgy) , catastrophe theory , physics , internal energy , energy flux , coronal mass ejection , magnetic flux , magnetic energy , solar wind , mechanics , magnetic field , materials science , astronomy , geology , engineering , mechanical engineering , thermodynamics , geotechnical engineering , magnetization , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Magnetic energy during the catastrophe was predominantly studied by the previous catastrophe works since it is believed to be the main energy supplier for the solar eruptions. However, the contribution of other types of energies during the catastrophe cannot be neglected. This paper studies the catastrophe of the coronal flux rope system in the solar wind background, with emphasis on the transformation of different types of energies during the catastrophe. The coronal flux rope is characterized by its axial and poloidal magnetic fluxes and total mass. It is shown that a catastrophe can be triggered by not only an increase but also a decrease of the axial magnetic flux. Moreover, the internal energy of the rope is found to be released during the catastrophe so as to provide energy for the upward eruption of the flux rope. As far as the magnetic energy is concerned, it provides only part of the energy release, or even increases during the catastrophe, so the internal energy may act as the dominant or even the unique energy supplier during the catastrophe.