Magnetic Relaxation Seen in a Rapidly Evolving Light Bridge in a Sunspot

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2024

Abstract

We report a magnetic relaxation process inside a sunspot associated with the evolution of a transient light bridge (LB). From high-resolution imaging and spectro-polarimetric data taken by the 1.6 m Goode Solar Telescope installed at Big Bear Solar Observatory, we observe the evolutionary process of a rapidly evolving LB. The LB is formed as a result of the strong intrusion of filamentary structures with relatively horizontal fields into the vertical umbral field region. A strong current density is detected along a localized region where the magnetic field topology changes rapidly in the sunspot, especially in the boundary region between the LB and the umbra, and bright jets are observed intermittently and repeatedly in the chromosphere along this region through magnetic reconnection. In the second half of our observation, the horizontal component of the magnetic field diminishes within the LB, and the typical convection structure within the sunspot, which manifests itself as umbral dots, is restored. Our findings provide a comprehensive perspective not only on the evolution of an LB itself but also on its impacts in the neighboring regions, including the chromospheric activity and the change of magnetic energy of a sunspot.

Identifier

85184880891 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Astrophysical Journal

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ad1ab0

e-ISSN

15384357

ISSN

0004637X

Issue

1

Volume

962

Grant

JP23H01220

Fund Ref

Seoul National University

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