The dynamic formation of prominence condensations

We present simulations of a model for the formation of a prominence condens ation in a coronal loop. The key idea behind the model is that the spatial localization of loop heating near the chromosphere leads to a catastrophic cooling in the corona. Using a new adaptive grid code, we simulate the comp lete growth of a condensation and find that after similar to 5000 s it reac hes a quasi-steady state. We show that the size and growth time of the cond ensation are in good agreement with data and discuss the implications of th e model for coronal heating and for observations of prominences and the sur rounding corona.