June 28, 2010, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

June 28, 2010, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Asymmetric Flux Emergence in Active Regions: Truth and Consequences

David Alexander (Rice University)

Observations of magnetic flux emergence in sunspots are showing significant asymmetry in both the magnetic flux and associated characteristics such as magnetic helicity. Such asymmetries are found to be a intrinsic property of the emerging field and as a consequence place severe constraints on the emergence process and the interaction of the emerging magnetic field with the sub-surface turbulent convection. Helicity injection into the solar atmosphere is thought to drive a range of energetic phenomena, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections, and its asymmetric nature has implications for the coronal current systems responsible for these phenomena. In this talk we will describe our recent observational results and how they compare with a simulation of fluxrope emergence. The consequences for the overlying solar atmosphere will also be discussed.