Determination of Prominence Plasma β from the Dynamics of Rising Plumes

Abstract

AbstractObservations of quiescent prominences show rising plumes, dark in chromospheric lines, that propagate from large bubbles. In this paper we present a method that may be used to determine the plasma β (ratio of gas pressure to magnetic pressure) from the rising plumes. Using the classic fluid dynamic solution for flow around a circular cylinder, the compression of the prominence material can be estimated. Application to a prominence gave an estimate of the plasma β as β=0.47−1.13 for a ratio of specific heats of γ=1.4−1.7.