Click on the image above for a larger .gif version.

X-ray jets, originally discovered by Yohkoh, are most visible in the polar coronal holes. These are flare-like actions, although it is well known that powerful flares typically happen without much jet action. The surprising thing about these coronal-hole jets is the presence of kilogauss field accumulations, best observed via Hinode due to its privileged location in space. This cartoon suggests a common explanation for these coronal jets and cool jets. Where do the kG fields come from? Is it flux emergence, or is it accumulation of flux from a broader area? What is the Poynting flux doing? What is the role of magnetic reconnection? There are lots of questions about these remarkable phenomena.

25 February 2011