Triggering mechanism and material transfer of a failed solar filament eruption

Yan, X. L., Z. K. Xue, X. Cheng, J. Zhang, J. C. Wang, D. F. Kong, L. H. Yang, G. R. Chen, and X. S. Feng, Triggering mechanism and material transfer of a failed solar filament eruption, arXiv e-prints, arXiv:1912.07173 (2019) (ADS)

The cartoon

(click on the image for a larger version)

A well-executed cartoon showing before-and-after views of a filament allegedly being triggered into a confined eruption by emerging flux. The paper uses high-resolution ground-based observations, as well as SDO and STEREO, on SOL2019-05-09, and liberally appeal to CSHKP concepts.

      This cartoon is a good example of how one's intuitive view of coronal currents may differ. The twist in the filament prior most likely reflects a non-neutralized current linking two patches of the vertical component of curl(B) in the solar interior. It seems highly implausible that this interface could change suddenly, with deep-seated field stress switching off simultaneously. Other nice cartoons in this Archive, for example that of Sturrock show similar signs of artistic license apparently violating physical laws.

Date: 2019 December 21