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