|
|
|
> MSU Solar Physics
Colin Beveridge's Work Page
Me, playing guitar at SPD 2006 in New Hampshire.
Photo by: Iain Hannah
|
Welcome to my work page! I am currently a postdoctoral research associate at Montana State University
in Bozeman, working under Dana Longcope. My research focuses on the shape (topology) of
the magnetic field in the Sun's lower atmosphere and determining how much energy is available for release.
I completed my PhD at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2003 under
Eric Priest. My thesis is available here (PDF, 1.9MB).
When I'm not solving the mysteries of the universe, I play football (soccer, if you must), perform
at the occasional open-mic and run the local chapter of Amnesty International.
|
Null-finding
If you need to find nulls in a computational box, ONullFinder is your friend. It's a
surprisingly well-documented set of IDL routines. Please contact me if you have
any problems or suggestions; I'd also be happy just to know that you're using
it.
|
Publications
- "Coronal magnetic topologies in a spherical geometry - II. Quadrupolar flux sources", Maclean RC, Beveridge C and Priest ER (2006), Solar Physics, in
press.
A continuation of the bipolar paper below, completing the four-source analysis.
- "A new method for finding topological separators in a magnetic field", Beveridge, C (2006), Solar Physics, in press.
By applying a combination of graph theory and simulated annealing, it is possible to improve the speed, accuracy and effectiveness of finding
separators.
- "Coronal magnetic topologies in a spherical geometry - I. Two Bipolar Flux Sources", Maclean RC, Beveridge C, Hornig G and Priest ER (2006), Solar
Physics, 235, 259
A Green's function can be used to determine the field due to point sources on a spherical surface. Several four-source topologies, including a coronal
null state and one with two separators, can be found.
- "A hierarchical application of the Minimum Current Corona", Beveridge C and Longcope DW (2006), ApJ, 656, 453
Dividing a source region into several smaller poles allows 'self-helicity' to build up when the poles are moved. This improves the estimates of current
and
free magnetic energy when compared to an MHD simulation.
- "On three-dimensional magnetic skeleton elements due to discrete flux sources", Beveridge C and Longcope DW (2005), Solar Physics, 227, 193-206.
We find a relationship between the number of flux domains (D), source regions (S), coronal nulls (Nc) and separators (X) in a configuration: D = S + X
-
Nc - 1. I always wanted an equation named after me :o)
- "A topological analysis of the magnetic breakout model in an eruptive flare", Maclean R, Beveridge C, Longcope DW, Brown DS and Priest ER (2005), Proc R
Soc A, 461, 2099--2120.
Topological bifurcations can allow initially enclosed flux to 'break out' to infinity.
- "Magnetic topologies in the solar corona due to four discrete flux regions", Beveridge C, Brown DS and Priest ER (2004), GAFD 98, 429-445
Several topological configurations are found using four sources on a plane.
- "A topological model for elemental flux loops", Beveridge C, Longcope DW and Priest ER (2003) Solar Physics 216, 27-40.
Realistic Monte Carlo arrangements of many sources are used to determine the size of 'elemental flux loops', regions of flux connecting a particular
pair of sources.
- "Magnetic topologies due to two bipolar flux regions", Beveridge C, Priest ER and Brown DS (2002), Solar Physics 202, 369-388.
Several topologies are found using four sources on a plane.
- "Magnetic topology in the solar corona", Beveridge C (2003), PhD thesis.
|
Apparent null point observed in TRACE 171Å**. Understanding the role of null points in the dynamic corona is one of magnetic topology's
biggest challenges.
Post-flare-loops observed in TRACE 195Å. We are currently trying to determine how energy is stored in a magnetic arcade before a flare occurs.
** The Transition Region and Coronal Explorer, TRACE, is a mission of the Stanford-Lockheed Institute for Space Research, and part of the NASA Small Explorer
program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
