An Automated Algorithm to Distinguish and Characterize Solar Flares and Associated Sequential Chromospheric Brightenings

We present a new automated algorithm to identify, track, and characterize small-scale brightening associated with solar eruptive phenomena observed in Hα. The temporal, spatially localized changes in chromospheric intensities can be separated into two categories: flare ribbons and sequential chromospheric brightenings (SCBs). Within each category of brightening we determine the smallest resolvable locus of pixels, a kernel, and track the temporal evolution of the position and intensity of each kernel. This tracking is accomplished by isolating the eruptive features, identifying kernels, and linking detections between frames into trajectories of kernels. We fully characterize the evolving intensity and morphology of the flare ribbons by observing the tracked flare kernels in aggregate. With the location of SCB and flare kernels identified, they can easily be overlaid on complementary data sets to extract Doppler velocities and magnetic-field intensities underlying the kernels. This algorithm is adaptable to any dataset to identify and track solar features.     

Possible correlation of Io's posteclipse brightening with major solar flares

In 6 of the 7 instances where posteclipse brightening of Io has been reported by observers using blue filters, a major solar flare occurred within 10° of the sub-Jovian longitude in the 100-day interval prior to observation. In none of the 18 instances where no posteclipse brightening was observed did such a flare occur. It is proposed that a phenomenon associated with a major solar flare causes an increase in the trapped particle flux at Io's orbit by an order of magnitude. The posteclipse brightening may be caused by thermoluminescence of Io's surface material upon emergence. Alternatively, it is possible that the increase in trapped particle flux would warm the surface, creating a temporary atmosphere which would precipitate during eclipse cooling and vaporize in the period of warming after reemergence.     

Spatial relations between preflares and flares

We have conducted an initial search for discrete preflare brightenings as observed in soft X-radiation by Yohkoh. The Yohkoh images allow us to identify, to within a few arc seconds, the location of a preflare event relative to the succeeding flare. Our initial motivation in this study was to search for early coronal brightenings leading to flare effects, as had been suggested by earlier studies; thus we concentrated on Yohkoh limb events. We find no evidence for such early coronal brightenings. Between 15% and 41% of the 131 suitable events matched our criteria for preflare brightening: the same active region; brightening within one hour of the flare peak; preflare brightness less than 30% of the flare peak. In the great majority of the preflare cases, we found that physically separate nearby structures brightened initially. Often these structures appeared to share a common footpoint location with the flare brightening itself. In a few cases the preflare could have occurred in exactly the same structure as the flare.     

An umbral brightening associated with a two-ribbon flare

We report an unusual case of a two-ribbon flare associated with an umbral brightening in a magnetically unipolar region.     

Preflare X-ray morphology of active regions observed with the AS & E telescope on Skylab

Images from the AS & E X-ray telescope on Skylab were examined for evidence of a flare build-up during the 20 minute periods preceding eight small X-ray flares. In two cases no activity could be seen up to 2 min before the flare onset. In no case did a preflare brightening occur in and only in the region which flared.     

Relative Timing and Spectra of Solar Flare Hard X-ray Sources

Hard X-ray lightcurves, spectrograms, images, and spectra of three medium-sized flares observed by the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) are presented. Imaging spectroscopy of the 20 February 2002, 11:06 UT flare at 10′′ spatial resolution, comparable to the best previous hard X-ray imaging from Yohkoh, shows two footpoints with an ∼ 8 s delay of peak emission between footpoints. Subsequent imaging at le4′′ shows three sources consistent with two separate loops and simultaneous brightening in connected footpoints. Imaging for the simple two footpoint flare of 2 June 2002 also shows simultaneous footpoint brightening. The more complex 17 March 2002 flare shows at least four different sources during the main peak of the event, and it is difficult to clearly demonstrate simultaneous brightening of connected footpoints. Non-thermal power laws are observed down to ∼ 12–13 keV without flattening in all these events, indicating the energy content in energetic electrons may be significantly greater than previously estimated from assumed 25 keV low energy cutoff. Simultaneously brightening footpoints show similar spectra, at least in the three flares investigated. Double-power-law spectra with a relatively sharp break are often observed. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1022469902940     

Thermal instability of the reconnecting current layer in solar flares

To interpret the present-day satellite observations of the sequential brightening of coronal loops in solar flares, we have solved the problem of the stability of small longitudinal perturbations of a homogeneous reconnecting current layer (CL). Within the magnetohydrodynamic approximation we show that an efficient suppression of plasma heat conduction by amagnetic field perturbation inside the CL serves as an instability condition. The instability in the linear phase grows in the characteristic radiative plasma cooling time. A periodic structure of cold and hot filaments located across the direction of the electric current can be formed as a result of the instability in the CL. The proposed mechanism of the thermal instability of a reconnecting CL can be useful for explaining the sequential brightening (“ignition”) of flare loops in solar flares.     

The Hα flare as a secondary product of a coronal instability

The assumption that the flare originates in the corona or transition layer, is confronted with the known properties of chromospheric flares. It is concluded that the basic mode of the energy transport into chromosphere is heat conduction. Only in some flares non-thermal particles contribute to the brightening in lower atmospheric layers: electrons with energy close to 100 keV produce chromospheric bright patches, and protons above 20 MeV cause the photospheric enhancements. The particle-produced brightenings are superposed on the basic quasi-thermal flare and involve only small areas as compared with the extensive regions heated through conduction.The most probable height of the flare origin appears to be close to the transition layer, between some 4000 and 7000 km above the photosphere. The non-thermal acceleration (when present) occurs probably higher than where the flare originates. There is no obvious reason why the high electron density in chromospheric flares could not be explained as simply due to increased ionization in the existing plasma, without any flare-induced mass condensations.Though there are several facts supporting the flare origin in the corona (or transition layer), one cannot exclude the alternative that the flare instability involves simultaneously a wide (and in different cases different) range of altitudes. Energy considerations give some support to such a supposition.Mitteilungen aus dem Fraunhofer Institut Nr. 121.Visiting scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute, grant of Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft.     

The brightest OH maser in the sky: A flare of emission in W75 N

A flare of maser radio emission in the 1665-MHz OH line with a flux density of about 1000 Jy was discovered in the star-forming region W75 N in 2003. At the time of its observations, it was the strongest OH maser in the entire history of research since the discovery of cosmic OH masers in 1965. The linear polarization of the flare emission reached 100%. A weaker flare with a flux density of 145 Jy was observed in this source in 2000–2001; this was probably a precursor of the intense flare. The intensity of two other spectral features decreased when the flare emerged. This change in the intensity of the emission from maser condensations (a brightening of some of them and a weakening of others) can be explained by the passage of a magnetohydrodynamic shock through regions of enhanced gas concentration.     

Spatial structure and temporal development of a solar X-ray flare observed from Skylab on June 15, 1973

A solar flare on June 15, 1973 has been observed with high spatial and temporal resolution by the S-054 grazing-incidence X-ray telescope on Skylab. Both morphological and quantitative analyses are presented. Some of the main results are: (a) the overall configuration of the flare is that of a compact region with a characteristic size of the order of 30 at the intensity peak, (b) this region appears highly structured inside with complex systems of loops which change during the event, (c) a brightening over an extended portion of the active region precedes the flare onset, (d) the impulsive phase indicated by the non-thermal radio emission is a period during which a rapid brightening occurs in loop structures, (e) the X-ray emission is centered over the neutral line of longitudinal magnetic field, and the brightest structures at the flare onset bridge the neutral line, (f) loop systems at successively increasing heights form during the decay phase, finally leading to the large loops observed in the postflare phase, (g) different parts of the flare show distinctly different light curves, and the temporal development given by full disk detectors is the result of integrating the different intensity vs time profiles.The implications of these observations for mechanisms of solar flares are discussed. In particular, the flux profiles of different regions of the flare give strong evidence for continued heating during the decay phase, and a multiplicity of flare volumes appears to be present, in all cases consisting of loops of varying lengths.On leave from Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory, Florence, Italy.     

Structures of chromospheric magnetic field in the vicinity of the filament of active region 5669

In this paper, the chromospheric magnetic structures and their relation to the photospheric vector magnetic field in the vicinity of a dark filament in active region 5669 have been demonstrated. Structural variations are shown in chromospheric magnetograms after a solar flare. Filament-like structures in the chromospheric magnetograms occurred after a solar flare. They correspond to the reformation of the chromospheric dark filament, but there is no obvious variation of the photospheric magnetic field. We conclude that (a) some of the obvious changes of the chromospheric magnetic fields occurred after the flare, and (b) a part of these changes is perhaps due to flare brightening in the chromospheric H line.During the reforming process of the dark filament, a part of its chromospheric velocity field shows downward flow, and it later shows upward flow.     

1986年2月4日太阳耀斑的演化研究

本文根据乌鲁木齐天文站的H_α耀斑及3.2cm射电流量观侧资料、云南天文台的黑子精细结构照相和Marshall Space Flight Center的向量磁场图,对1986年2月4日的六个耀斑的形态相关及演化联系,特别是0736UT 4B/3X大耀斑的发展过程进行了综合分析。主要结果是: 1.4日大耀斑的初始亮点和闪光相的主要形态演化,与活动区中沿中性线新浮现的强大电流/磁环系密切相关。后者的主要标志是沿中性线的长的剪切半影纤维及它两端的偶极旋涡黑子群(1_3F_3)。 2.上述大耀斑与1972年8月4日0624 UT大耀斑爆发的磁场背景及主要形态特征相似,表明两者的储能和触发机制可能相同。 3.大耀斑爆发的H_α初始亮点,双带出现,环系形成,亮物质抛射和吸收冕珥等现象同3.2cm射电流量的变化在时间上有较好的对应关系。 4.重复性的前期小耀斑爆发位置和发展趋势与大耀斑的主要形态及演化特征相似。它们相对于剪切的纵场中性线两侧的位置相近或相同。因而,可以看作上述强大电流/磁环系不稳性发展过程中的前置小爆发。     

On the outburst of flare activity of 26 November, 1973

We draw attention of flare build-up observers to a strong 30 hour-long outburst of homologous flare activity and unusual growth and brightening of coronal loops, seen on Skylab. We suggest that these events might have been closely associated with newly emerging magnetic flux, in spite of the fact that the flux effects in H and EUV were first seen only late after the activity had started, and the flux emerged at the opposite end of the coronal loops from where the flares occurred.     

X级耀斑过程中的磁剪切变化(英文)

通过对活动区NOAA 6891中三个X级耀斑前后的向量磁场分析 ,研究耀斑发生条件与耀斑发生前后横向磁场和磁剪切变化的关系。我们发现与Hagyard的耀斑发生条件不同的是 ,强的横向磁场和磁剪切不是活动区中耀斑发生的充要条件。我们的结果表明 ,活动区NOAA 6891 1 991年 30日的耀斑发生在横向磁场和磁剪切剧烈下降后。尽管 1 0月 2 7日的耀斑发生后横向磁场和磁剪切变化很大 ,但由于有新磁流浮现 ,造成磁中性线的改变 ,使得横向磁场和磁剪切变化与耀斑发生的联系变得比较复杂。     

Magnetic field gradient and flare: study of a small flare in NOAA 8038

Active region NOAA 8038 was observed from 10 to 13 May, 1997 using the USO solar video magnetograph. During this period, the active region was mostly inactive, and gave rise to only a single notable flare of 1N/C1.3 class on May 12, 1997/04:45 UT. The flare occurred in a weak field location, but new emerging fluxes were observed prior to the flare onset. Horizontal motions of the network photospheric magnetic fluxes were inferred using USO and SOHO magnetograms, and velocities in the range 300–800 m s^–1 were estimated. The initial flare brightening was observed at the flux cancellation site where magnetic field gradients were found to increase. Detailed analyses of flux motions, cancellation and their relation with the flare are presented.     

The Hα development of an intense limb flare and associated flaring arches

The H analysis of the development of the strong impulsive and faint gradual phase of the June 26, 1983 flare indicates the following: (1) The flare originated from two microprominences on the southeast border of NOAA 4227. Several similar events are summarized in Table II. (2) The main flare structure was a flare cone, which consisted of a bright surge-like stream, elevated above two flare ribbons (located in the cone's base). The flare cone had a height of about 40 × 10³ km and lasted 4 min in H. The upper part of the cone was terminated by a very fine loop, which was bent to the west, where later a chromospheric brightening occurred at the footpoint of a flaring arch. A 300 keV burst and radio spikes were observed during the maximum flare phase. (3) The flaring arch system, with its apex at a height of about 48 × 10³ km, formed the skeleton for the coronal helmet structure (Figure 7(c)). The velocity of the plasma moving along the flaring arch was between 3500 km s^–1} and 6900 km s^–1} during the first brightening (14:07 UT).     

Cme Associated with Transequatorial Loops and a Bald Patch Flare

We study a flare which occurred on 3 November 1997 at 10:31 UT in the vicinity of a parasitic polarity of AR 8100. Using SOHO/EIT 195 Å observations, we identify the brightening of thin transequatorial loops connecting AR 8100 and AR 8102, and dimmings located between the two active regions. Difference images highlight the presence of a loop-like structure rooted near the flare location usually called an EIT wave. The coronal magnetic field derived from potential extrapolations from a SOHO/MDI magnetogram shows that the topology is complex near the parasitic polarity. There, a `bald patch' (defined as the locations where the magnetic field is tangent to the photosphere) is present. We conclude that the flare was a `bald patch flare'. Moreover, the extrapolation confirms that there is a large coronal volume filled with transequatorial field lines interconnecting AR 8100 and AR 8102, and overlaying the bald patch. We show that the dimmings are located at the footpoints of these large field lines, which can be also related to the thin bright loops observed during the flare. As this event was related to a coronal mass ejection (CME) observed by SOHO/LASCO, we propose that the observed dimmings are due to a decrease in plasma density during the opening of the transequatorial loops connecting both ARs. We propose a scenario where these large field lines are in fact pushed up by the opening of low-lying sheared field lines forming the bald patch. We finally discuss how the fast opening of these field lines can produce the brightening near the footpoints of the separatrix, observed as an `EIT wave'.     

Multiwavelength Study of the M8.9/3B Solar Flare from AR NOAA 10960

We present a multiwavelength analysis of a long-duration, white-light solar flare (M8.9/3B) event that occurred on 04 June 2007 from AR NOAA 10960. The flare was observed by several spaceborne instruments, namely SOHO/MDI, Hinode/SOT, TRACE, and STEREO/SECCHI. The flare was initiated near a small, positive-polarity, satellite sunspot at the center of the active region, surrounded by opposite-polarity field regions. MDI images of the active region show a considerable amount of changes in the small positive-polarity sunspot of δ configuration during the flare event. SOT/G-band (4305 Å) images of the sunspot also suggest the rapid evolution of this positive-polarity sunspot with highly twisted penumbral filaments before the flare event, which were oriented in a counterclockwise direction. It shows the change in orientation, and also the remarkable disappearance of twisted penumbral filaments (≈35?–?40%) and enhancement in umbral area (≈45?–?50%) during the decay phase of the flare. TRACE and SECCHI observations reveal the successive activation of two helically-twisted structures associated with this sunspot, and the corresponding brightening in the chromosphere as observed by the time-sequence of SOT/Ca?ii H line (3968 Å) images. The secondary, helically-twisted structure is found to be associated with the M8.9 flare event. The brightening starts six?–?seven minutes prior to the flare maximum with the appearance of a secondary, helically-twisted structure. The flare intensity maximizes as the secondary, helically-twisted structure moves away from the active region. This twisted flux tube, associated with the flare triggering, did not launch a CME. The location of the flare activity is found to coincide with the activation site of the helically-twisted structures. We conclude that the activation of successive helical twists (especially the second one) in the magnetic-flux tubes/ropes plays a crucial role in the energy build-up process and the triggering of the M-class solar flare without a coronal mass ejection (CME).     

Identification of the hard X-ray pulse in the flare of September 11–12, 1968

A hard X-ray pulse in the 11–12 September 1968 flare is identified with the formation of a brilliant kernel. Each stage in the X-ray event corresponds to a definite phase in flare development.     

Evidence for Tether-Cutting Reconnection in a Quadrupole Magnetic Configuration in the April 9, 2001, M7.9 Flare

We studied the M7.9 flare on April 9, 2001 that occurred within a δ-sunspot of active region NOAA 9415. We used a multi-wavelength data set, which includes Yohkoh, TRACE, SOHO, and ACE spacecraft observations, Potsdam and Ondřejov radio data and Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) images in order to study the large-scale structure of this two-ribbon flare that was accompanied by a very fast coronal mass ejection (CME). We analyzed light curves of the flare emission as well as the structure of the radio emission and report the following: the timing of the event, i.e., the fact that the initial brightenings, associated with the core magnetic field, occurred earlier than the remote brightening (RB), argue against the break-out model in the early phase of this event. We thus conclude that the M7.9 flare and the CME were triggered by a tether-cutting reconnection deep in the core field connecting the δ-spot and this reconnection formed an unstable flux rope. Further evolution of the erupted flux rope could be described either by the “standard“ flare model or a break-out type of the reconnection. The complex structure of flare emission in visible, X-ray, and radio spectral ranges point toward a scenario which involves multiple reconnection processes between extended closed magnetic structures.