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Evolution and distribution of current helicity in full-Sun simulations

Yeates, A.R.; Mackay, D.H.; van Ballegooijen, A.A.

Authors

D.H. Mackay

A.A. van Ballegooijen



Abstract

Current helicity quantifies the location of twisted and sheared nonpotential structures in a magnetic field. We simulate the evolution of magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere in response to flux emergence and shearing by photospheric motions. In our global-scale simulation over many solar rotations, the latitudinal distribution of current helicity develops a clear statistical pattern, matching the observed hemispheric sign at active latitudes. In agreement with observations, there is significant scatter and intermixing of both signs of helicity, where we find local values of current helicity density that are much higher than those predicted by linear force-free extrapolations. Forthcoming full-disk vector magnetograms from the Solar Dynamics Observatory will provide an ideal opportunity to test our theoretical results on the evolution and distribution of current helicity, both globally and in single active regions.

Citation

Yeates, A., Mackay, D., & van Ballegooijen, A. (2008). Evolution and distribution of current helicity in full-Sun simulations. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 680(2), L165-L168. https://doi.org/10.1086/590057

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 1, 2008
Deposit Date Oct 14, 2011
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Astrophysical Journal Letters
Print ISSN 2041-8205
Electronic ISSN 2041-8213
Publisher American Astronomical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 680
Issue 2
Pages L165-L168
DOI https://doi.org/10.1086/590057

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