Plasma Physics Seminar ( Phys 769)

Dr. Manolis Georgoulis, JHU/APL An Interpretation of Magnetic Complexity in Solar Active Regions The advent of technologically advanced solar magnetographs has provided detailed views of immensely complex magnetic structures in the solar atmosphere. Reconciling this fresh knowledge with existing observations of solar magnetic eruptions, such as flares and microflares, we uncover a hierarchical self-organization of solar magnetic structures that is very likely to stem from a turbulent evolution of magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere. The key question we address is whether magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is a widespread phenomenon in active regions of the Sun or a privilege of a few "chosen" regions destined to host major eruptions. To this purpose, we adapt theoretical diagnostic tools for application to a large volume of solar magnetic data. The results point to an interesting answer and have ramifications that will be presented at the conclusion. Return to main page