Skip to main content
Log in

Multifractal Properties of Evolving Active Regions

  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is thought to be responsible for producing complex, multiscale magnetic field distributions in solar active regions. Here we explore the multiscale properties of a number of evolving active regions using magnetograms from the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The multifractal spectrum was obtained by using a modified box-counting method to study the relationship between magnetic-field multifractality and region evolution and activity. The initial emergence of each active region was found to be accompanied by characteristic changes in the multifractal spectrum. Specifically, the range of multifractal structures (D div) was found to increase during emergence, as was their significance or support (C div). Following this, a decrease in the range in multifractal structures occurred as the regions evolved to become large-scale, coherent structures. From the small sample considered, evidence was found for a direct relationship between the multifractal properties of the flaring regions and their flaring rate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. A. Conlon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Conlon, P.A., Gallagher, P.T., McAteer, R.T.J. et al. Multifractal Properties of Evolving Active Regions. Sol Phys 248, 297–309 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-007-9074-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-007-9074-7

Keywords

Navigation