MHSXtraPy: a Python code for the extrapolation of magnetohydrostatic fields on the Sun using analytical solutions

L. Nadol; T. Neukirch

doi:10.1093/rasti/rzaf053

MHSXtraPy: a Python code for the extrapolation of magnetohydrostatic fields on the Sun using analytical solutions

L. Nadol^*, T. Neukirch

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We present a Python code for calculating and displaying magnetic field extrapolations from given 2D boundary conditions, specifically from solar surface magnetograms. The code implements analytical magnetohydrostatic models that incorporate the transition from non-force-free to force-free magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere. It allows for different parametrizations of this transition and includes functions to compute magnetic fields, plasma pressure, and density. Fast Fourier methods ensure efficient computation, and the output includes 3D visualizations of field lines and plasma structures. The implementation is optimized for accessibility and speed, making it suitable for both research and educational purposes. The only prerequisite for running the code is a Python compiler. All source code, examples, input files, solutions, and instructions are available for download from GitHub.

Original language	English
Article number	rzaf053
Number of pages	9
Journal	RAS Techniques and Instruments
Volume	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1093/rasti/rzaf053
Publication status	Published - 28 Nov 2025

Keywords

Software
Numerical methods
Sun: MHS
Sun
Magnetic field
Sun: extrapolation

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10.1093/rasti/rzaf053Licence: CC BY

Nadol_2025_RASTI_MHSXxtraPy-magnetohydrostatic-fields-Sun_CC
© The Author(s) 2025. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Final published version, 1.38 MBLicence: CC BY

Solar and Magnetospheric Plasmas: Solar and Magnetospheric Plasmas: Theory and Application
Neukirch, T. (PI), Archontis, V. (CoI), De Moortel, I. (CoI), Hood, A. (CoI), Mackay, D. (CoI), Parnell, C. (CoI) & Wright, A. (CoI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/04/22 → 31/03/25
Project: Standard
Solar and Magnetospheric: Solar and Magnetospheric Magnetohydrodynamics and Plasmas: Theory and Application
Hood, A. (PI), Archontis, V. (CoI), De Moortel, I. (CoI), Mackay, D. (CoI), Neukirch, T. (CoI), Parnell, C. (CoI) & Wright, A. (CoI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/04/19 → 31/03/22
Project: Standard

Cite this

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title = "MHSXtraPy: a Python code for the extrapolation of magnetohydrostatic fields on the Sun using analytical solutions",

abstract = "We present a Python code for calculating and displaying magnetic field extrapolations from given 2D boundary conditions, specifically from solar surface magnetograms. The code implements analytical magnetohydrostatic models that incorporate the transition from non-force-free to force-free magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere. It allows for different parametrizations of this transition and includes functions to compute magnetic fields, plasma pressure, and density. Fast Fourier methods ensure efficient computation, and the output includes 3D visualizations of field lines and plasma structures. The implementation is optimized for accessibility and speed, making it suitable for both research and educational purposes. The only prerequisite for running the code is a Python compiler. All source code, examples, input files, solutions, and instructions are available for download from GitHub.",

keywords = "Software, Numerical methods, Sun: MHS, Sun, Magnetic field, Sun: extrapolation",

author = "L. Nadol and T. Neukirch",

note = "Funding: LN acknowledges financial support by the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, throughout her PhD. TN acknowledges financial support by the UK{\textquoteright}s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) via Consolidated Grants ST/S000402/1 and ST/W001195/1. ",

year = "2025",

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AU - Neukirch, T.

N1 - Funding: LN acknowledges financial support by the School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St Andrews, throughout her PhD. TN acknowledges financial support by the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) via Consolidated Grants ST/S000402/1 and ST/W001195/1.

PY - 2025/11/28

Y1 - 2025/11/28

N2 - We present a Python code for calculating and displaying magnetic field extrapolations from given 2D boundary conditions, specifically from solar surface magnetograms. The code implements analytical magnetohydrostatic models that incorporate the transition from non-force-free to force-free magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere. It allows for different parametrizations of this transition and includes functions to compute magnetic fields, plasma pressure, and density. Fast Fourier methods ensure efficient computation, and the output includes 3D visualizations of field lines and plasma structures. The implementation is optimized for accessibility and speed, making it suitable for both research and educational purposes. The only prerequisite for running the code is a Python compiler. All source code, examples, input files, solutions, and instructions are available for download from GitHub.

AB - We present a Python code for calculating and displaying magnetic field extrapolations from given 2D boundary conditions, specifically from solar surface magnetograms. The code implements analytical magnetohydrostatic models that incorporate the transition from non-force-free to force-free magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere. It allows for different parametrizations of this transition and includes functions to compute magnetic fields, plasma pressure, and density. Fast Fourier methods ensure efficient computation, and the output includes 3D visualizations of field lines and plasma structures. The implementation is optimized for accessibility and speed, making it suitable for both research and educational purposes. The only prerequisite for running the code is a Python compiler. All source code, examples, input files, solutions, and instructions are available for download from GitHub.

KW - Software

KW - Numerical methods

KW - Sun: MHS

KW - Sun

KW - Magnetic field

KW - Sun: extrapolation

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DO - 10.1093/rasti/rzaf053

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MHSXtraPy: a Python code for the extrapolation of magnetohydrostatic fields on the Sun using analytical solutions

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Keywords

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Projects

Solar and Magnetospheric Plasmas: Solar and Magnetospheric Plasmas: Theory and Application

Solar and Magnetospheric: Solar and Magnetospheric Magnetohydrodynamics and Plasmas: Theory and Application

Cite this