NAM Session 2023

Numerical and observational analysis of dynamical processes in solar active regions

Organisers: Luiz Augusto Camargo Aranha Schiavo; Gary Verth; Viktor Fedun; Philippa Browning; Istvan Ballai; Suzana de Souza e Almeida Silva

Description: The solar atmosphere is characterised by complex plasma dynamics, presenting various phenomena linked to MHD waves, energy transport and heating occurring over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. The dynamics of the plasma is associated with the magnetic fields, which are inherently coupled to photospheric and chromospheric flows. Realistic models describing the dynamics in solar active regions must account for the complex interaction of magnetic fields and plasma flows that can, e.g. generate MHD waves, launch jets of plasma, form vortex motions, cause instabilities, initiate magnetic reconnection and generate turbulence. 

In recent years, thanks to many well-established and new ground and space-based observational facilities, e.g. SST, DKIST, SDO, Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, as well as new numerical modelling results obtained with MURaM, Bifrost, R2D2 codes (to name but a few), we have acquired a wealth of spatial and temporal high resolution data. These provide us an excellent opportunity to better understand the plasma dynamical processes in solar active regions, link between lower and upper solar atmosphere as well as processes in the solar corona. Despite significant advances in observations, numerical investigations and theoretical analysis, we are far from the stage when all the available information is integrated in a symbiotic way in the understanding of dynamical processes. At the same time, linking the numerical data to current observations is a challenge as interpreting the large volume of simulation data requires the use of advanced methodologies for their analysis.

This session will welcome contributions discussing observational data analysis and theoretical (HPC simulations and analytical) approaches aiming to improve our understanding of the dynamics at different scales of solar active regions, as well as synergies between these fundamental aspects of solar plasma dynamics. The session intends to provide a platform for fruitful discussions between PhD researchers, early career and established scientists.

Key words: Dynamical plasma processes in solar active regions (MHD wave generation and propagation); Coherent structures in and around active regions; Energy transport between lower and upper solar atmospheric layers.

Monday 3rd July

14:15 - 14:30 David Jess (Invited) - Dynamical wave processes in solar active regions captured with high temporal, spatial and spectral resolutions
14:30 - 14:42 Llŷr Humphries - Multi-wavelength Analysis of Small-scale IRIS Brightenings and further applications
14:42 - 14:54 Samuel Skirvin - Alfvénic waves in coronal loops arising from inclined acoustic wave drivers
14:54 - 15:06 Hemanthi Miriyala - Double Mode Conversion in Sunspots
15:06 - 15:18 Matthew Lennard - Understanding the Complexity of Photospheric Flux Emergence with Machine Learning Techniques
15:18 - 15:30 Charlotte Proverbs - Automatic Identification and Tracking of Sunspots
15:30 - 15:45 Hugh Hudson (Invited) - Hot Prograde Flows in Solar Active Regions