THE STRUCTURE OF A PROMINENCE SHEET

A one-dimensional analysis of Kippenhahn-Schluter type is applied to a sheet of prominence material inclined at an angle, theta to the horiz ontal. It is found that the magnetic pressure across the prominence no longer has a symmetric profile, but is stronger on the lower side of the sheet. This excess in magnetic pressure is necessary to balance th e component of prominence weight in that direction. A matching functio n is derived and allows for variations along the length of the sheet, enabling the internal prominence solution to be linked onto a given ba ckground potential held. In this way a curved prominence sheet in a po tential field may be resolved. A smooth profile for the magnetic field and a continuous variation of plasma pressure across the prominence r egion is then possible. An example is given in which the analysis is a pplied to a polar-crown prominence configuration of inverse polarity a nd the basic properties of the prominence are determined.