Recent results indicate that the Babcock-Leighton mechanism for poloidal field creation plays an important role in the solar cycle. However, modelling this mechanism has not always correctly captured the underlying physics. In particular, it has been demonstrated that using a spatially distributed near-surface alpha-effect to parametrize the Babcock-Leighton mechanism generates results which do not agree with observations. Motivated by this, we are developing a physically more consistent model of the solar cycle in which we model poloidal field creation by the emergence and flux dispersal of double-rings structures. Here we present preliminary results from this new dynamo model.
The emergence of tilted bipolar active regions and the dispersal of their flux, mediated via processes such as diffusion, differential rotation and meridional circulation is believed to be responsible for the reversal of the Sun's polar field. This process (commonly known as the Babcock-Leighton mechanism) is usually modeled as a near-surface, spatially distributed $α$-effect in kinematic mean-field dynamo models. However, this formulation leads to a relationship between polar field strength and meridional flow speed which is opposite to that suggested by physical insight and predicted by surf…
The turbulent magnetic diffusivity in the solar convection zone is one of the most poorly constrained ingredients of mean-field dynamo models. This lack of constraint has previously led to controversy regarding the most appropriate set of parameters, as different assumptions on the value of turbulent diffusivity lead to radically different solar cycle predictions. Typically, the dynamo community uses double step diffusivity profiles characterized by low values of diffusivity in the bulk of the convection zone. However, these low diffusivity values are not consistent with theoretical estimates …
Using the non-linear mean-field dynamo models we calculate the magnetic cycle parameters, like the dynamo cycle period, the amplitude of the total magnetic energy, and the Poynting flux luminosity from the surface for the solar analogs with rotation periods of range from 1 to 30 days. We do simulations both for the kinematic and non-kinematic dynamo models. The kinematic dynamo models, which take into account the non-linear $α$-effect and the loss of the magnetic flux due to magnetic buoyancy, show a decrease of the magnetic cycle with the decrease of the stellar rotation period. The stars wit…
In this review, we explain recent progress made in the Babcock-Leighton dynamo models for the Sun, which have been most successful to explain various properties of the solar cycle. In general, these models are 2D axisymmetric and the mean-field dynamo equations are solved in the meriodional plane of the Sun. Various physical processes (e.g., magnetic buoyancy and Babcock-Leighton mechanism) involved in these models are inherently 3D process and could not be modeled properly in a 2D framework. After pointing out limitations of 2D models (e.g., Mean-field Babcock-Leighton dynamo models and Surfa…
We propose a phenomenological technique for modelling the emergence of active regions within a three-dimensional, kinematic dynamo framework. By imposing localised velocity perturbations, we create emergent flux-tubes out of toroidal magnetic field at the base of the convection zone, leading to the eruption of active regions at the solar surface. The velocity perturbations are calibrated to reproduce observed active region properties (including the size and flux of active regions, and the distribution of tilt angle with latitude), resulting in a more consistent treatment of flux-tube emergence…
We aim at investigating the morphology, kinematic and helicity evolution of a loop-like prominence during its eruption. We use multi-instrument observations from AIA/SDO, EUVI/STEREO and LASCO/SoHO. The kinematic, morphological, geometrical, and helicity evolution of a loop-like eruptive prominence are studied in the context of the magnetic flux rope model of solar prominences. The prominence eruption evolved as a height expanding twisted loop with both legs anchored in the chromosphere of a plage area. The eruption process consists of a prominence activation, acceleration, and a phase of cons…
In Sun and sun-like stars, it is believed that the cycles of the large-scale magnetic field are produced due to the existence of differential rotation and helicity in the plasma flows in their convection zones (CZs). Hence, it is expected that for each star, there is a critical dynamo number for the operation of a large-scale dynamo. As a star slows down, it is expected that the large-scale dynamo ceases to operate above a critical rotation period. In our study, we explore the possibility of the operation of the dynamo in the subcritical region using the Babcock--Leighton type kinematic dynamo…
In this paper we address a discrepancy between the surface flux evolution in a 3D kinematic dynamo model and a 2D surface flux transport model that has been closely calibrated to the real Sun. We demonstrate that the difference is due to the connectivity of active regions to the toroidal field at the base of the convection zone, which is not accounted for in the surface-only model. Initially, we consider the decay of a single active region, firstly in a simplified Cartesian 2D model and subsequently the full 3D model. By varying the turbulent diffusivity profile in the convection zone, we find…
We investigate numerically the kinematic dynamo induced by the superposition of two helical waves in a periodic box as a simplified model to understand the dynamo action in astronomical bodies. The effects of magnetic Reynolds number, wavenumber and wave frequency on the dynamo action are studied. It is found that this helical-wave dynamo is a slow dynamo. There exists an optimal wavenumber for the dynamo growth rate. A lower wave frequency facilitates the dynamo action and the oscillations of magnetic energy emerge at some particular wave frequencies.
Magnetohydrodynamic interactions between plasma flows and magnetic fields is fundamental to the origin and sustenance of the 11-year sunspot cycle. These processes are intrinsically three-dimensional (3D) in nature. Our goal is to construct a 3D solar dynamo model that on the one hand captures the buoyant emergence of tilted bipolar sunspot pairs, and on the other hand produces cyclic large-scale field reversals mediated via surface flux-transport processes -- that is, the Babcock-Leighton mechanism. We perform kinematic dynamo simulations where the prescribed velocity field is a combination o…
Large-scale magnetic fields in stars and galaxies are thought to arise by mean-field dynamo action due to the combined influence of both helical turbulence and shear. Those systems are also highly conducting and the turbulence therein leads to a fluctuation (or small-scale) dynamo which more rapidly amplifies magnetic field fluctuations on the eddy scales and smaller. Will this then interfere with and suppress the mean (or large-scale) field growth? Using direct numerical simulations of helical turbulence (with and without shear), we identify a novel quasi-kinematic large-scale dynamo which op…
We consider rotating, kinematic dynamos at low magnetic Prandtl number $Pm$. We show that the inclusion of rotation leads to an increase in spatio-temporal coherence and a modification of the turbulent spectrum. These effects make the flow more efficient in driving the dynamo, in the sense that the energy injection rate required to reach the critical value of the magnetic Reynolds number $Rm_c$ is reduced in comparison with a non-rotating dynamo (Seshasayanan et al. 2017). For random dynamos it is known that the growth-rate would largely be determined by the spectral index of the flow at the r…
We numerically solve the magnetic induction equation in a spherical shell geometry, with a kinematically prescribed axisymmetric flow that consists of a superposition of a small-scale helical flow and a large-scale shear flow. The small-scale flow is chosen to be a local analog of the classical Roberts cells, consisting of strongly helical vortex rolls. The large-scale flow is a shearing motion in either the radial or the latitudinal directions. In the absence of large-scale shear, the small-scale flow is an efficient dynamo, in agreement with previous results. Adding increasingly large shear …
The Babcock-Leighton (BL) flux-transport model is a widely-accepted dynamo model of the Sun. This dynamo model has been extensively studied in a two-dimensional (2D) mean-field framework in both kinematic and non-kinematic regimes. Recent three-dimensional (3D) models have been restricted to the kinematic regime. In these models, the surface poloidal flux is produced by the emergence of bipolar magnetic regions (BMRs) that are tilted according to Joy's law. We investigate the prescription for emergence of a BMR in 3D non-kinematic simulations. We also report initial results of cyclic BL dynamo…
We report on the 2017 September 10 ground level enhancement (GLE) event associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) whose initial acceleration (~9.1km s^-2) and initial speed (~4300 km/s) were among the highest observed in the SOHO era. The GLE event was of low intensity (~4.4% above background) and softer-than-average fluence spectrum. We suggest that poor connectivity (longitudinal and latitudinal) of the source to Earth compounded by the weaker ambient magnetic field contributed to these GLE properties. Events with similar high initial speed either lacked GLE association or had softer flu…
We develop a three-dimensional kinematic self-sustaining model of the solar dynamo in which the poloidal field generation is from tilted bipolar sunspot pairs placed on the solar surface above regions of strong toroidal field by using the SpotMaker algorithm, and then the transport of this poloidal field to the tachocline is primarily caused by turbulent diffusion. We obtain a dipolar solution within a certain range of parameters. We use this model to study the build-up of the polar magnetic field and show that some insights obtained from surface flux transport (SFT) models have to be revised.…
We investigate the initiation and early evolution of 12 solar eruptions, including six active region hot channel and six quiescent filament eruptions, which were well observed by the \textsl{Solar Dynamics Observatory}, as well as by the \textsl{Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory} for the latter. The sample includes one failed eruption and 11 coronal mass ejections, with velocities ranging from 493 to 2140~km~s$^{-1}$. A detailed analysis of the eruption kinematics yields the following main results. (1) The early evolution of all events consists of a slow-rise phase followed by a main-acc…
Computational heliophysics has shed light on the fundamental physical processes inside the Sun, such as the differential rotation, meridional circulation, and dynamo-generation of magnetic fields. However, despite the substantial advances, the current results of 3D MHD simulations are still far from reproducing helioseismic inferences and surface observations. The reason is the multi-scale nature of the solar dynamics, covering a vast range of scales, which cannot be solved with the current computational resources. In such a situation, significant progress has been achieved by the mean-field a…
We present the observations of three sympathetic filament eruptions occurring on 19 July 2015 namely F1, F2, and F3. The events were observed in UV/EUV wavelengths by Atmospheric Imaging Assembly onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory and by Global Oscillation Network Group telescope in Hα line. As filament F1 starts to erupt, a part of it falls close to the location of the F2 and F3 filaments. This causes the eruption of F2 and F3 during which the two filaments merge together and trigger a medium-class CME and a long-duration GOES C2.1 class flare. We discuss the dynamics and kinematics of th…
Predictions of solar cycle 24 obtained from advection-dominated and diffusion-dominated kinematic dynamo models are different if the Babcock-Leighton mechanism is the only source of the poloidal field. Yeates et al. (2008) argue that the discrepancy arises due to different memories of the solar dynamo for advection- and diffusion-dominated solar convection zones. We aim to investigate the differences in solar cycle memory obtained from advection-dominated and diffusion-dominated kinematic solar dynamo models. Specifically, we explore whether the inclusion of Parker's mean-field $α$ effect, in …
We present a statistical study of prominence and filament eruptions observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Several properties are recorded for 904 events that were culled from the Heliophysics Event Knowledgebase (HEK) and incorporated into an online catalog for general use. These characteristics include the filament and eruption type, eruption symmetry and direction, apparent twisting and writhing motions, and the presence of vertical threads and coronal cavities. Associated flares and white-light coronal mass ejections (CME) are also r…
Two large northern polar crown prominences that erupted on 2010 April 13 and 2010 August 1 were analysed using images obtained from the Extreme UltraViolet Imager on the twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft. Several features along the prominence legs were reconstructed using a stereoscopic reconstruction technique developed by us. The three-dimensional changes exhibited by the prominences can be explained as an interplay between two different motions, namely helical twist in the prominence spine, and overall non-radial equatorward motion of the entire prominence structure. T…
The interpretation of molecular-line data in terms of hydro dynamical simulations of planet-disk interactions fosters new hopes for the indirect detection of protoplanets. In a model-independent approach, embedded protoplanets should be found at the roots of abrupt Doppler flips in velocity centroid maps. However, the largest velocity perturbation known for an unwarped disk, in the disk of HD100546, leads to a conspicuous Doppler flip that coincides with a thick dust ring, in contradiction with an interpretation in terms of a >~ 1Mjup body. Here we present new ALMA observations of the 12CO(2-1…
Large-scale solar eruptions have been extensively explored over many years. However, the properties of small-scale events with associated shocks have been rarely investigated. We present the analyses of a small-scale short-duration event originating from a small region. The impulsive phase of the M1.9-class flare lasted only for four minutes. The kinematic evolution of the CME hot channel reveals some exceptional characteristics including a very short duration of the main acceleration phase ($<$ 2 minutes), a rather high maximal acceleration rate ($\sim$50 km s$^{-2}$) and peak velocity ($\sim…
Estimates for the nonlinear alpha effect in helical turbulence with an applied magnetic field are presented using two different approaches: the imposed-field method where the electromotive force owing to the applied field is used, and the test-field method where separate evolution equations are solved for a set of different test fields. Both approaches agree for stronger fields, but there are apparent discrepancies for weaker fields that can be explained by the influence of dynamo-generated magnetic fields on the scale of the domain that are referred to as meso-scale magnetic fields. Examples …
Solar mini-dimmings can be detect in the Extreme Ultra-Violet coro- nal eruptions. Here, sequences of 171 A images taken by Solar Dynamic Observa- tory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembaly on 13 June 2010 are used. In this special day, both of coronal mass ejection and prominence were observed. The average velocities and accelerations of 500 mini-dimmings which were detected using on feature based classifier (Alipour et al 2012) are studied. The large number of mini-dimmings shows positive accelerations in the beginning times as similar as Coronal Mass Ejections. On the the start time of prominence e…
The role of magnetic boundaries in kinematic and self-consistent magnetohydrodynamic simulations of precession-driven dynamo action in a closed cylinder
The solar cycle onset at mid-latitudes, the slow down of the sunspot drift toward the equator, the tail-like attachment and the overlap of successive cycles at the time of activity minimum are delicate issues in $αΩ$ dynamo wave and flux transport dynamo models. Very different parameter values produce similar results, making it difficult to understand the origin of these solar cycle properties. We use GONG helioseismic data to investigate the progression of the solar cycle as observed in intermediate-degree global $p$-mode frequency shifts at different latitudes and subsurface layers, from the…
The Z Cam-type dwarf nova AT Cnc displays a classical nova (CN) shell, demonstrating that mass transfer in cataclysmic binaries decreases substantially after a CN eruption. The hibernation scenario of cataclysmic binaries predicts such a decrease, on a timescale of a few centuries. In order to measure the time since AT Cnc's last CN eruption, we have measured the radial velocities of a hundred clumps in its ejecta with SITELLE, CFHT's recently commissioned imaging Fourier transform spectrometer. These range from -455 to +490 km/s. Coupled with the known distance to AT Cnc of 460 pc (Shara 2012…
Using direct numerical simulations (DNS) we verify that in the kinematic regime, a turbulent helical dynamo grows in such a way that the magnetic energy spectrum remains to high precision shape-invariant, i.e., at each wavenumber $k$ the spectrum grows with the same growth rate. Signatures of large-scale dynamo action can be identified through the excess of magnetic energy at small $k$, of one of the two oppositely polarized constituents. Also a suitably defined planar average of the magnetic field can be chosen such that its rms value isolates the strength of the mean field. However, these di…
We discuss asymptotic solutions of the kinematic $αω$-dynamo in a thin disc (slab). Focusing upon the strong dynamo regime, in which the dynamo number $D$ satisfies $|D|\gg1$, we resolve uncertainties in the earlier treatments and conclude that some of the simplifications that have been made in previous studies are questionable. Comparing numerical solutions with asymptotic results obtained for $|D|\gg1$ and $|D|\ll1$ we find that the asymptotic solutions give a reasonably accurate description of the dynamo even far beyond their formal ranges of applicability. Indeed, our results suggest a sim…
In this article, we present the multi-viewpoint and multi-wavelength analysis of an atypical solar jet based on the data from Solar Dynamics Observatory, SOlar, and Heliospheric Observatory, and Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory. It is usually believed that the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are developed from the large scale solar eruptions in the lower atmosphere. However, the kinematical and spatial evolution of the jet on 2013 April 28 guide us that the jet was clearly associated with a narrow CME having a width of approx 25 degrees with a speed of 450 km/s. To better understand the l…
In this paper, we explore the evolution of sunspot latitude distribution and explore its relations with the cycle strength. With the progress of the solar cycle, the distributions in two hemispheres from mid-latitudes propagate toward the equator and then (before the usual solar minimum) these two distributions touch each other. By visualizing the evolution of the distributions in two hemispheres, we separate the solar cycles by excluding this hemispheric overlap. From these isolated solar cycles in two hemispheres, we generate latitude distributions for each cycle, starting from cycle 8 to cy…
The transition to intermittent mean--field dynamos is studied using numerical simulations of isotropic magnetohydrodynamic turbulence driven by a helical flow. The low-Prandtl number regime is investigated by keeping the kinematic viscosity fixed while the magnetic diffusivity is varied. Just below the critical parameter value for the onset of dynamo action, a transient mean--field with low magnetic energy is observed. After the transition to a sustained dynamo, the system is shown to evolve through different types of intermittency until a large--scale coherent field with small--scale turbulen…
This review provides an introduction to the generation and evolution of the Sun's magnetic field, summarising both observational evidence and theoretical models. The eleven year solar cycle, which is well known from a variety of observed quantities, strongly supports the idea of a large-scale solar dynamo. Current theoretical ideas on the location and mechanism of this dynamo are presented. The solar cycle influences the behaviour of the global coronal magnetic field and it is the eruptions of this field that can impact on the Earth's environment. These global coronal variations can be modelle…
The eruption of a large quiescent prominence on 17 August 2013 and associated coronal mass ejection (CME) were observed from different vantage points by Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), Solar-Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). Screening of the quiet Sun by the prominence produced an isolated negative microwave burst. We estimated parameters of the erupting prominence from a model of radio absorption and measured from 304 Å images. Their variations obtained by both methods are similar and agree within a factor of two. The CME development …
One important ingredient of flux transport dynamo models is the rise of the toroidal magnetic field through the convection zone due to magnetic buoyancy to produce bipolar sunspots and then the generation of the poloidal magnetic field from these bipolar sunspots due to the Babcock-Leighton mechanism. Over the years, two methods of treating magnetic buoyancy, a local method and a non-local method have been used widely by different groups in constructing 2D kinematic models of the flux transport dynamo. We review both these methods and conclude that neither of them is fully satisfactory, presum…
The paper presents a study of kinematic axisymmetric mean-field dynamo models for a case of the meridional circulation with a deep-seated stagnation point and a strong return flow at the bottom of the convection zone. This kind of circulation follows from mean-field models of the angular momentum balance in the solar convection zone. We show that it is possible for this types of meridional circulation to construct kinematic dynamo models that resemble in some aspects the sunspot magnetic activity cycle. The dynamo model includes turbulent sources of the large-scale poloidal magnetic field prod…
Amplification of magnetic field due to kinematic turbulent dynamo action is studied in the regime of small magnetic Prandtl numbers. Such a regime is relevant for planets and stars interiors, as well as for liquid metal laboratory experiments. A comprehensive analysis based on the Kazantsev-Kraichnan model is reported, which establishes the dynamo threshold and the dynamo growth rates for varying kinetic helicity of turbulent fluctuations. It is proposed that in contrast with the case of large magnetic Prandtl numbers, the kinematic dynamo action at small magnetic Prandtl numbers is significan…
The observed convective flows on the photosphere (e.g., supergranulation, granulation) play a key role in the Babcock-Leighton (BL) process to generate large-scale polar fields from sunspots fields. In most surface flux transport (SFT) and BL dynamo models, the dispersal and migration of surface fields are modeled as an effective turbulent diffusion. We present the first kinematic 3D FT/BL model to explicitly incorporate realistic convective flows based on solar observations. The results obtained are generally in good agreement with the observed surface flux evolution and with non-convective m…
In this work, we have studied the variability and frequency of occurrence of the grand minima using kinematic dynamo models of one solar mass star with different rotation rates and depths of convection zones. We specify the large-scale flows (differential rotations and meridional circulations) from corresponding hydrodynamic models. We include stochastic fluctuations in the Babcock-Leighton source for the poloidal field to produce variable stellar cycles. We observe that the rapidly rotating stars produce highly irregular cycles with strong magnetic fields and rarely produce Maunder-like grand…
Large ${\rm Pm}$ small-scale kinematic dynamo in protoneutron stars
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur(印度理工学院哈格普尔分校);Indian Institute of Technology Madras(印度理工学院马德拉斯分校);Université Paris Cité, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, AIM(巴黎西岱大学、巴黎萨克雷大学、法国原子能和替代能源委员会、法国国家科学研究中心、天体物理学信息与方法研究所)
For a three dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) plasma the dynamo action with ABC flow as initial condition has been studied. The study delineates crucial parameter that gives a transition from coherent nonlinear oscillation to dynamo. Further, for both kinematic and dynamic models at magnetic Prandtl number equal to unity the dynamo action is studied for driven ABC flows. The magnetic resistivity has been chosen at a value where the fast dynamo occurs and the growth rate shows no further variation with the change of magnetic Reynold's number. The exponent of growth of magnetic energy increa…
Kinematics and Untwisting Motion of an Intriguing Jet-like Prominence Eruption
School of Advanced Sciences and Languages, VIT Bhopal University(维特博帕尔大学高级语言与科学学院);Institute of Physics, University of South Bohemia(南波希米亚大学物理研究所);State Key Laboratory of Solar Activity and Space Weather, School of Aerospace, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen(哈尔滨工业大学(深圳)航天学院太阳活动与空间天气国家重点实验室)
On 2010 August 14, a wide-angled coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed. This solar eruption originated from a destabilized filament that connected two active regions and the unwinding of this filament gave the eruption an untwisting motion that drew the attention of many observers. In addition to the erupting filament and the associated CME, several other low-coronal signatures that typically indicate the occurrence of a solar eruption were associated to this event. However, contrary to what is expected, the fast CME ($\mathrm{v}>900~\mathrm{km}~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$) was accompanied by only a w…
The turbulent dynamo is a powerful mechanism that converts turbulent kinetic energy to magnetic energy. A key question regarding the magnetic field amplification by turbulence, is, on what scale, $k_{\rm p}$, do magnetic fields become most concentrated? There has been some disagreement about whether $k_{\rm p}$ is controlled by the viscous scale, $k_ν$ (where turbulent kinetic energy dissipates), or the resistive scale, $k_η$ (where magnetic fields dissipate). Here we use direct numerical simulations of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence to measure characteristic scales in the kinematic phase of t…
Small-scale dynamo saturation across magnetic Prandtl numbers using the EDQNM closure
International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research(国际理论科学中心,塔塔基础研究所);Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics(大学间天文学与天体物理中心);Department of Physics, Ashoka University(阿肖卡大学物理系)
The magnetic cycle of the Sun, as manifested in the cyclic appearance of sunspots, significantly influences our space environment and space-based technologies by generating what is now termed as space weather. Long-term variation in the Sun's magnetic output also influences planetary atmospheres and climate through modulation of solar irradiance. Here, I summarize the current state of understanding of this magnetic cycle, highlighting important observational constraints, detailing the kinematic dynamo modeling approach and commenting on future prospects.
The turbulence driven by gravitational instabilities (GIs) can amplify magnetic fields in massive gaseous disks. This GI dynamo may appear in young circumstellar disks, whose weak ionization challenges other amplification routes, as well as in active galactic nuclei. Although regarded as a large-scale dynamo, only local simulations have so far described its kinematic regime. We study the GI dynamo in global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models of accretion disks, focusing on its kinematic phase. We perform resistive MHD simulations with the Pluto code for different radiative cooling times and elec…
We point out the difficulties in carrying out direct numerical simulation of the solar dynamo problem and argue that kinematic mean-field models are our best theoretical tools at present for explaining various aspects of the solar cycle in detail. The most promising kinematic mean-field model is the flux transport dynamo model, in which the toroidal field is produced by differential rotation in the tachocline, the poloidal field is produced by the Babcock--Leighton mechanism at the solar surface and the meridional circulation plays a crucial role. Depending on whether the diffusivity is high o…
We use high resolution direct numerical simulations (DNS) to show that helical turbulence can generate significant large-scale fields even in the presence of strong small-scale dynamo action. During the kinematic stage, the unified large/small-scale dynamo grows fields with a shape-invariant eigenfunction, with most power peaked at small scales or large $k$, as in \citet{SB14}. Nevertheless, the large-scale field can be clearly detected as an excess power at small $k$ in the negatively polarized component of the energy spectrum for a forcing with positively polarized waves. Its strength $bar{B…