Equilibrium and stability of prominence flux ropes

Realistic models of solar prominence flux ropes are numerically constructed . The models are in 2.5 dimensions, including the effects of non-isothermal temperature, density and gravity, and pressure. Stability of the equilibri a to pressure- and gravity-driven instabilities is numerically investigated , using the ballooning formalism of fusion plasma theory. The equilibrium m odels can become unstable to pressure- and gravity-driven modes at plasma p arameters characteristic of prominences.