Witnessing magnetic twist with high-resolution observation from the 1.6-m New Solar Telescope

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-28-2015

Abstract

Magnetic flux ropes are highly twisted, current-carrying magnetic fields. They are crucial for the instability of plasma involved in solar eruptions, which may lead to adverse space weather effects. Here we present observations of a flaring using the highest resolution chromospheric images from the 1.6-m New Solar Telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory, supplemented by a magnetic field extrapolation model. A set of loops initially appear to peel off from an overall inverse S-shaped flux bundle, and then develop into a multi-stranded twisted flux rope, producing a two-ribbon flare. We show evidence that the flux rope is embedded in sheared arcades and becomes unstable following the enhancement of its twists. The subsequent motion of the flux rope is confined due to the strong strapping effect of the overlying field. These results provide a first opportunity to witness the detailed structure and evolution of flux ropes in the low solar atmosphere.

Identifier

84928664975 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Nature Communications

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8008

e-ISSN

20411723

Volume

6

Grant

2011CB811402

Fund Ref

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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