What the study found
The study found that solar prominences can form self-consistently in fully three-dimensional simulations when the magnetic field is set with appropriate initial conditions. In the simulations, a prominence began with a random ejection of dense plasma seed material from the chromosphere, the Sun’s lower atmospheric layer, into the corona.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that dynamics at and below the solar surface are important in the formation and evolution of solar prominences. The findings also suggest that subsurface dynamics should be considered when studying prominence eruptions, which can be associated with coronal mass ejections.
What the researchers tested
The researchers performed comprehensive fully three-dimensional numerical simulations of prominence formation. Their simulations included the physics needed to describe all atmospheric layers of the Sun.
What worked and what didn't
With appropriate initial magnetic-field conditions, prominences formed in the simulations without being imposed by hand. The buildup involved both plasma injections from the chromosphere and condensation of inflowing coronal plasma. The resulting prominence properties qualitatively matched observed prominences.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe specific limitations of the simulations or quantify how closely the simulated prominences matched observations. It also does not state whether the results apply to all prominence types or eruption scenarios.
Key points
- Fully three-dimensional simulations produced solar prominences self-consistently.
- Formation started with a random ejection of dense plasma seed from the chromosphere into the corona.
- Prominences then built up through chromospheric plasma injections and condensation of inflowing coronal plasma.
- The simulated prominence properties qualitatively matched observed prominences.
- The authors say dynamics at and below the solar surface are important for prominence formation and evolution.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Solar prominences formed self-consistently in 3D simulations
- Authors:
- Lisa-Marie Zessner, R. H. Cameron, Sami K. Solanki, Damien Przybylski
- Institutions:
- Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-22
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Photo by andreas160578 on Pixabay · Pixabay License
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