Simulation of flux emergence from the convection zone to the corona

Abstract

Here, we present numerical simulations of magnetic flux buoyantly rising from a granular convection zone into the low corona. We study the complex interaction of the magnetic field with the turbulent plasma. The model includes the radiative loss terms, non-ideal equations of state, and empirical corona heating. We find that the convection plays a crucial role in shaping the morphology and evolution of the emerging structure. The emergence of magnetic fields can disrupt the convection pattern as the field strength increases, and form an ephemeral region-like structure, while weak magnetic flux emerges and quickly becomes concentrated in the intergranular lanes, i.e., downflow regions. As the flux rises, a coherent shear pattern in the low corona is observed in the simulation. In the photosphere, both magnetic shearing and velocity shearing occur at a very sharp polarity inversion line. In a case of U-loop magnetic field structure, the field above the surface is highly sheared while below it is relaxed. © 2010 The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.