Scientist

Mei Zhang

Positions: Professor
Academic Title: Professor
E-mail: zhangmei@bao.ac.cn
Mailing Address: Mei Zhang
Education and Career History

EDUCATION:

Oct. 1994 - Aug. 1999    PhD in Astrophysics, Beijing Astronomical Observatory, CAS, China

Sept. 1987 - Oct. 1990    Master Degree in Astrophysics, Beijing Astronomical Observatory, CAS, China

Sept. 1983 – Jul. 1987    Bachelor Degree in Science, Peking University, China

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Jan. 2003 - present      Professor, National Astronomical Observatory, CAS, China

Mar. 2004 – present     NCAR Affiliate Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research, USA

Oct. 2001 – Feb. 2000   Project Scientist I, High Altitude Observatory, NCAR, USA

Nov. 2000 – Oct. 2001   Long-term Visiting Scientist, High Altitude Observatory, NCAR, USA

Mar. 2000 – Oct. 2000  Associate Professor, Beijing Astronomical Observatory, CAS, China

May 1994 – Feb. 2000   Assistant Professor, Beijing Astronomical Observatory, CAS, China

Nov. 1990 – Apr. 1994   Research Assistant, Beijing Astronomical Observatory, CAS, China
Research Fields
Solar physics, in particular, MHD, magnetic field measurement, solar dynamo theory and the mechanism of solar activities.
Achievements

1.               Develope the theory that solar coronal mass ejections are the unavoidable results of magnetic helicity accumulation in the corona;

2.               First point out from magnetograph observations that the strong field (sunspot umbra) and weak field (sunspot penumbra) in active regions have opposite helicity signs;

3.               First show that the hemispheric helicity sign rule exists in the gobal Sun outside active regions;

4.               Prove from MHD calculations that magnetic flux ropes will form in the corona due to magnetic helicity accumulation;

5.          Propose a theory of two kinds of coronal mass ejections (with BC Low)

Selected Publication

1.               X. M. Zhang, M. Zhang, J. T. Su, on estimating the force-freeness based on observed magnetograms, 2017, ApJ, 834, 80

2.               Y. L. Song, M. Zhang, On the relationship between sunspot structure and magnetic field changes associated with solar flares, 2016, ApJ, 826, 173

3.               M. S. Miesch, M. Zhang, K. C. Augustson, Magnetic helicity reversals in a cyclic convective dynamo, 2016, ApJ Letters, 824, L15

4.               Y. L. Song, M. Zhang, Effects of the non-radial magnetic field on measuring magnetic helicity transport across the solar photosphere, 2015, ApJ, 804, 102

5.               C. Y. Wang, M. Zhang, Correlation between CME occurrence rate and current helicity in the global magnetic field of solar cycle 23, 2015, Solar Physics, 290, 811-818

6.               M. Zhang, N. Flyer, B. C. Low, Magnetic helicity of self-similar axisymmetric force-free fields, 2012, ApJ, 755, 78

7.               J. Hao, M. Zhang, Hemispheric helicity trend for solar cycle 24, 2011, ApJ Letters, 733, L27

8.               C. Y. Wang, M. Zhang, A hemispheric helicity sign rule indicated by large-scale photospheric magnetic fields at three phases of solar cycle 23, 2010, ApJ, 720, 632-638

9.               D. Wang, M. Zhang, H. Li & H. Q. Zhang, A cross-comparison of cotemporal magnetograms obtained with MDI/SOHO and SP/Hinode, 2009, Solar Physics, 260, 233-244.

10.         M. Zhang, N. Flyer, The dependence of the helicity bound of force-free magnetic fields on the boundary conditions, 2008, ApJ, 683, 1160-1167.

11.         M. Zhang, Helicity observation of weak and strong fields, 2006, ApJ, 646, L85-L88

12.         M. Zhang, N. Flyer, B. C. Low, Magnetic field confinement in the corona: The role of magnetic helicity accumulation, 2006, ApJ, 644, 575-586.

13.         M. Zhang, B. C. Low, The hydromagnetic nature of solar coronal mass ejections, 2005, Annual Reviews of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 43, 103-137.

14.         M. Zhang, B. C. Low, Magnetic energy storage in the two hydromagnetic types of solar prominences, 2004, ApJ, 600, 1043-1051.

15.         M. Zhang, L. Golub, The dynamical morphologies of flares associated with the two types of solar coronal mass ejections, 2003, ApJ, 595, 1251-1258.

16.         M. Zhang, B. C. Low, Magnetic-flux emergence into the solar corona. III. The role of total helicity conservation, 2003, ApJ, 584, 479-496.

17.         M. Zhang, B. C. Low, Magnetic-flux emergence into the solar corona. II. Global magnetic fields with field-reversal layers, 2002, ApJ, 576, 1005-1017.

18.         M. Zhang, L. Golub, E. DeLuca, J. Burkepile, The timing of flares associated with the two dynamical types of solar coronal mass ejections, 2002, ApJ, 574, L97-L100.

19.         B. C. Low, M. Zhang, The hydromagnetic origin of the two dynamic types of solar coronal mass ejections, 2002, ApJ, 564, L53-L56.

20.      M. Zhang, B. C. Low, Magnetic-flux emergence into the solar corona. I. Its role for the reversal of global coronal magnetic field, 2001, ApJ, 561, 406-419.