Magnetic Equilibria and Instabilities

Sakurai, Takashi, Magnetic Equilibria and Instabilities, Sol. Phys., 121, 347-360 (1989) (ADS)

The cartoon

(click on the image for a larger version)

This set of sketches serves to illustrate the global nature of what may result in a solar flare, using the analogy of a ball rolling on a deformable surface under the influence of gravity. Sequence A is a "gentle instability"; sequence B an "explosive instability" in which a large displacement can happen; and sequence C is called a "loss of equilibrium," distinguished here by its inherent assymetry. The Archivist can hardly tell the difference, but this paper is a helpful one for sure!

Date: 2007 December 28

Update: 2019 November 27