Dependence of Spicule Properties on the Magnetic Field—Results from Magnetohydrodynamics Simulations

Abstract

Solar spicules are plasma jets observed in the interface region between the visible solar surface and the corona. At any given time, there is a forest of spicules originating in the chromosphere of the Sun. While various models attempt to elucidate their origin and characteristics, here, we consider the one driven by the magnetoconvection undulations. The radiative magnetohydrodynamic (rMHD) equations are solved using Pencil Code with a spatial resolution of 16 km using various magnetic field strengths. The obtained rMHD simulation data are investigated to unveil the various trends in spicular properties as a function of the applied magnetic fields. The important outcome of this study is the finding of a consistent reduction in both the number density and the maximum height reached by spicules as magnetic field strength increases. We also use parabolic fitting on time–distance curves of spicules that are taller than the 75th percentile in the distribution, in order to find a relation between the deceleration of the spicule tip and the magnetic field strength. Our results offer insights into the response of solar spicules to magnetic field strength.

Keywords

• Solar physics
• Solar magnetic fields
• Solar spicules
• Magnetohydrodynamical simulations
• Solar atmosphere
• Radiative magnetohydrodynamics