Note: When clicking on a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) number, you will be taken to an external site maintained by the publisher.
Some full text articles may not yet be available without a charge during the embargo (administrative interval).
What is a DOI Number?
Some links on this page may take you to non-federal websites. Their policies may differ from this site.
-
Context.The interaction between magnetic fields and convection in sunspots during their decay process remains poorly understood, whereas the formation of sunspots is relatively well studied and fully modeled. Works on the velocity scales at the solar surface have pointed to the existence of the family of granules, whose interaction with the magnetic field leads to the formation of supergranules and their networks, which are visible at the solar surface. Aims.The aim of this paper is to consider relationship between the decay of sunspots and convection via the motion of the family of granules and how the diffusion mechanism of magnetic field operates in a decaying sunspot. Methods.We report the decay of a sunspot observed by the 1.6 m Goode Solar Telescope (GST) with the TiO Broadband Filter Imager (BFI) and the Near-InfraRed Imaging Spectropolarimeter (NIRIS). The analysis was aided by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO). In the first step, we followed the decay of the sunspot with HMI data over three days by constructing its evolving area and total magnetic flux. In the second step, the high spatial and temporal resolution of the GST instruments allowed us to analyze the causes of the decay of the sunspot. Afterward, we followed the emergence of granules in the moat region around the sunspot over six hours. The evolution of the trees of fragmenting granules (TFGs) was derived based on their relationship with the horizontal surface flows. Results.We find that the area and total magnetic flux display an exponential decrease over the course of the sunspot decay. We identified 22 moving magnetic features (MMFs) in the moats of pores, which is a signature of sunspot decay through diffusion. We note that the MMFs were constrained to follow the borders of TFGs during their journey away from the sunspot. Conclusions.The TFGs and their development contribute to the diffusion of the magnetic field outside the sunspot. The conclusion of our analysis shows the important role of the TFGs in sunspot decay. Finally, the family of granules evacuates the magnetic field.more » « less
-
Aims.Recurring jets are observed in the solar atmosphere. They can erupt intermittently over a long period of time. By the observation of intermittent jets, we wish to understand what causes the characteristics of the periodic eruptions. Methods.We report intermittent jets observed by the Goode Solar Telescope (GST) with the TiO Broadband Filter Imager (BFI), the Visible Imaging Spectrometer (VIS) in Hα, and the Near-InfraRed Imaging Spectropolarimeter (NIRIS). The analysis was aided and complemented by 1400 Å and 2796 Å data from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). These observational instruments allowed us to analyze the temporal characteristics of the jet events. By constructing the Hαdopplergrams, we found that the plasma first moves upward, but during the second phase of the jet, the plasma flows back. Working with time slice diagrams, we investigated the characteristics of the jet dynamics. Results.The jet continued for up to 4 h. The time-distance diagram shows that the peak of the jet has clear periodic-eruption characteristics (5 min) during 18:00 UT–18:50 UT. We also found a periodic brightening phenomenon (5 min) during the jet bursts in the observed bands in the transition region (1400 Å and 2796 Å), which may be a response to intermittent jets in the upper solar atmosphere. The time lag is 3 min. Evolutionary images in the TiO band revealed a horizontal movement of the granulation at the location of the jet. By comparison to the quiet region of the Sun, we found that the footpoint of the jet is enhanced at the center of the Hαspectral line profile, without significant changes in the line wings. This suggests prolonged heating at the footpoint of the jet. In the mixed-polarity magnetic field region of the jet, we observed the emergence of magnetic flux, its cancellation, and shear, indicating possible intermittent magnetic reconnection. This is confirmed by the nonlinear force-free field model, which was reconstructed using the magneto-friction method. Conclusions.The multiwavelength analysis indicates that the events we studied were triggered by magnetic reconnection that was caused by mixed-polarity magnetic fields. We suggest that the horizontal motion of the granulation in the photosphere drives the magnetic reconnection, which is modulated byp-mode oscillations.more » « less
An official website of the United States government
