Constraining 3D Magnetic Field Extrapolations Using The Twin Perspectives of STEREO

Abstract

The 3D magnetic topology of a solar active region (NOAA 10956) was reconstructed using a linear force-free field extrapolation constrained using the twin perspectives of \emph{STEREO}. A set of coronal field configurations was initially generated from extrapolations of the photospheric magnetic field observed by the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on \emph{SOHO}. Using an EUV intensity-based cost function, the extrapolated field lines that were most consistent with 171\AA\ passband images from the Extreme UltraViolet Imager (EUVI) on \emph{STEREO} were identified. This facilitated quantitative constraints to be placed on the twist ($\alpha$) of the extrapolated field lines, where $\nabla \times {\bf B} = \alpha {\bf B}$. Using the constrained values of $\alpha$, the evolution in time of twist, connectivity, and magnetic energy were then studied. A flux emergence event was found to result in significant changes in the magnetic topology and total magnetic energy of the region.