Precipitation from an asymmetric magnetic flux tube
Melrose, D. B. and S. M. White, Precipitation from an asymmetric magnetic flux tube, J. Geophys. Res., 86, 2183-2190 (1981) (ADS)
(click on the image for a larger version)
Based upon a rather primitive original 1981 cartoon, this version is
from a
RHESSI Science Nugget
by Schmahl & Pernak, which augmented it in more colorful detail.
The basic idea is simple: if particles are trapped in a magnetic mirror
in the solar corona, there will be observable effects of the likely
asymmetry of the geometry.
The footpoint with higher B magnitude, may have higher-altitude
mirror points.
Curiously this cartoon puts the red footpoints at an altitude of 10 Mm,
which is approximately 10 Mm higher than what we actually observe!
Based upon a rather primitive original 1981 cartoon, this version is from a RHESSI Science Nugget by Schmahl & Pernak, which augmented it in more colorful detail. The basic idea is simple: if particles are trapped in a magnetic mirror in the solar corona, there will be observable effects of the likely asymmetry of the geometry. The footpoint with higher B magnitude, may have higher-altitude mirror points. Curiously this cartoon puts the red footpoints at an altitude of 10 Mm, which is approximately 10 Mm higher than what we actually observe!