A Solar Cyclone with Chromospheric Running Wave

An innovative solar observing satellite, Hinode, has successfully observed the detailed evolution of a rapidly developing emerging flux region from the beginning of its appearance at the solar surface. The high spatial and temporal resolution provided by the satellite enables to capture the prominent dynamic processes such as the rotational motion of a polarity region with intense magnetic flux which is reminiscent of a cyclone on the Earth, and a running wave that spreads ahead of this rotating polarity region. This 'solar cyclone' is, on the other hand, generated differently from terrestrial cyclones, and a possible generating mechanism for it is demonstrated with a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulation of a twisted magnetic flux tube emerging from the solar interior into the solar atmosphere. The simulation shows that the rotational motion is caused by a strong downflow of plasma along the twisted field lines that form a helical pillar standing upright on the Sun.