The Internal Structures and Dynamics of Solar Quiescent Prominences

We present generalized Kippenhahn-Schlüter (KS) equilibrium and steady-flow solutions of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. These solutions are constructed of arrays of laminated isothermal KS prominence sheets whose temperatures, sag angles, and dip positions may vary arbitrarily from sheet to sheet. Moreover, the sheets can move at arbitrary constant uniform velocities relative to each other within their planes. This great versatility allows us to model the filamentary structure of prominences and illustrate why their observed dimensions differ from their characteristic hydrostatic scale lengths. We are also able to explain observed vertical and horizontal velocities as naturally arising steady rigid motions of plasma sheets in local force equilibrium but global nonequilibrium.