Stability of current-sheet models of quiescent prominences and equatorial disks

The stability of two-dimensional, infinitely thin solar prominence models is investigated in the MHD approximation. Anzer's stability criteria are used for the vertical plane prominences. An example of stable equilibrium meeting these criteria is given. The stability of curved prominence sheets is investigated, showing that the static models reported in the earlier work of Wu and Low are all unstable. In spherical geometry, the sufficient stability criteria are derived for plane disk-shaped current sheets and applied to a simple model of Low for a nonrotating equatorial accretion disk. The importance of the magnetic tension force in stabilizing an equilibrium system is discussed. 11 references