2003年10月22日太阳活动区AR0484内日浪事件的研究

利用色球Hα、TRACE／WL、SOHO／EITEuV单色像观测资料及SOHO／MDI光球磁场观测资料，对2003年10月22日太阳活动区AR0484内发生的日浪事件进行了研究．发现：(1)在Ha线心观测上，日浪包含有亮、暗2个分量，这2个分量先后出现而且并不共空间．日浪的亮分量与UV和EUV波段上观测到的喷发具有较好的同时性和共空间性．(2)日浪喷发物质沿着EUV环运动。(3)在光球层，日浪足根处的黑子和磁场有明显的变化．这些观测结果支持日浪的磁重联模型。     

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'.     

Width Variations along Coronal Loops Observed by TRACE

We have measured width variations along coronal loops observed by TRACE in the 171, 195, and 284 Å bandpasses. The loops are not significantly thicker in the middle compared to near the footpoints, and there is no correlation between the footpoint-to-midpoint expansion and the loop length. This applies to both post-flare and non-flare loops. The observations conflict with our present understanding of active region magnetic fields, and they have important implications for the structure and heating of the corona.     

A new family of solutions of the force-free field equation

In this paper, we determine the temperature profile along the footpoints of large coronal loops observed by TRACE in both the 171 Å and 195 Å passbands. The temperature along the lower part of these coronal loops only shows small variations and can probably be considered to be isothermal. Using the obtained temperature profile T(s) and an estimate of the column depth along the loop, we then determine the pressure along the lower part of the observed coronal loops and hence the value of the pressure scale length. The obtained scale lengths correspond in order-of-magnitude with the theoretically predicted gravitational scale height. We show that the differences between the observed and predicted scale heights are unlikely to be caused by (significant) flows along the loops but could possibly be a consequence of the inclination of the loops. This implies that the quasi-periodic intensity oscillations observed in the loops are most probably caused by compressive waves propagating upward at the coronal sound speed.     

The Magnetic Structure and Generation of EUV Flare Ribbons

The `ribbons' of two-ribbon flares show complicated patterns reflecting the linkages of coronal magnetic field lines through the lower solar atmosphere. We describe the morphology of the EUV ribbons of the July 14, 2000 flare, as seen in SOHO, TRACE, and Yohkoh data, from this point of view. A successful co-alignment of the TRACE, SOHO/MDI and Yohkoh/HXT data has allowed us to locate the EUV ribbon positions on the underlying field to within ∼ 2′′, and thus to investigate the relationship between the ribbons and the field, and also the sites of electron precipitation. We have also made a determination of the longitudinal magnetic flux involved in the flare reconnection event, an important parameter in flare energetic considerations. There are several respects in which the observations differ from what would be expected in the commonly-adopted models for flares. Firstly, the flare ribbons differ in fine structure from the (line-of-sight) magnetic field patterns underlying them, apparently propagating through regions of very weak and probably mixed polarity. Secondly, the ribbons split or bifurcate. Thirdly, the amount of line-of-sight flux passed over by the ribbons in the negative and positive fields is not equal. Fourthly, the strongest hard X-ray sources are observed to originate in stronger field regions. Based on a comparison between HXT and EUV time-profiles we suggest that emission in the EUV ribbons is caused by electron bombardment of the lower atmosphere, supporting the hypothesis that flare ribbons map out the chromospheric footpoints of magnetic field lines newly linked by reconnection. We describe the interpretation of our observations within the standard model, and the implications for the distribution of magnetic fields in this active region.     

X-ray Jets in Interconnecting Loops

We present examples of X-ray jets, observed by the Soft X-ray Telescope on board Yohkoh, which followed trajectories of transequatorial interconnecting loops (TILs). All these TILs were preexisting, seen some time before, but were mostly invisible at the time of the onset of the jet which often made them bright along their total length. With few exceptions, these TIL-associated jets have properties very similar to other jets ejected inside active regions or along open field lines (footpoints in X-ray bright points, recurrence, strong collimation, average speed close to 350 km s⁻¹), but may reach larger lengths, in our examples up to 450 000 km. Exceptions are one jet that moved slower and one that had no brightened area at its supposed source region at the time of its origin (an X-ray bright point appeared there only 3 hours later). It appears that quite a high number of X-ray jets may be of this TIL-associated kind. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1014963812437     

Development of a complex of activity in the solar corona

Skylab observations of the Sun in soft X-rays gave us the first possibility to study the development of a complex of activity in the solar corona during its whole lifetime of seven solar rotations. The basic components of the activity complex were permanently interconnected (including across the equator) through sets of magnetic field lines, which suggests similar connections also below the photosphere. However, the visibility of individual loops in these connections was greatly variable and typically shorter than one day. Each brightening of a coronal loop in X-rays seems to be related to a variation in the photospheric magnetic field near its footpoint. Only loops (rarely visible) connecting active regions with remnants of old fields can be seen in about the same shape for many days. The interconnecting X-ray loops do not connect sunspots.We point out several examples of possible reconnections of magnetic field lines, giving rise to the onset of the visibility or, more likely, to sudden enhancements of the loop emission. In one case a new system of loops brightened in X-rays, while the field lines definitely could not have reconnected. Some striking brightenings show association with flares, but the flare occurrence and the loop brightening seem to be two independent consequences of a common triggering action: emergence of new magnetic flux. In old active regions, growing and/or brightened X-ray loops can be seen quite often without any associated flare; thus, the absence of any flaring in the chromosphere does not necessarily mean that the overlying coronal active region is quiet and inactive.We further discuss the birth of the interconnecting loops, their lifetime, altitude, variability in shape in relation to the photospheric magnetic field, the similarity of interconnecting and internal loops in the late stages of active regions, phases of development of an active region as manifested in the corona, the remarkably linear boundary of the X-ray emission after the major flare of 29 July 1973, and a striking sudden change in the large-scale pattern of unipolar fields to the north of the activity complex.The final decay of the complex of activity was accompanied by the penetration of a coronal hole into the region where the complex existed before.     

Revealing the Fine Structure of Coronal Dimmings and Associated Flows with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hinode</Emphasis>/EIS

We study two CME events on 13 and 14 December 2006 that were associated with large-scale dimmings. We study the eruptions from pre-event on 11 December through the recovery on 15 December, using a combination of Hinode/EIS, SOHO/EIT, SOHO/MDI, and MLSO Hα data. The GOES X-class flares obscured the core dimmings, but secondary dimmings developed remote from the active region (AR) in both events. The secondary dimmings are found to be formed by a removal of bright coronal material from loops in the plage region to the East of the AR. Using Hinode/EIS data, we find that the outflows associated with the coronal-dimming regions are highly structured. The concentrated outflows are located at the footpoints of coronal loops (which exist before, and are re-established after, the eruptions), and these are correlated with regions of positive magnetic elements. Comparative study of the Hinode/EIS and SOHO/EIT data shows that the reduction in outflow velocity is consistent with the recovery in intensity of the studied regions. We find that concentrated downflows develop during the recovery phase of the dimmings and are also correlated with the same positive magnetic elements that were previously related to outflows.     

Observation of a 3d Magnetic Null Point in the Solar Corona

A saddle-like structure is clearly discerned in SOHO EIT images in the Fe wavebands in the active region NOAA 8113, from 6 to 10 December 1997, when the active region reached the solar limb. It appears after the emergence of a small patch of parasitic polarity near the footpoints of the loops forming the outer boundary of an arcade. There is a 3D null point in the center of the saddle. The height of the null is in good agreement with the relationship between the parasitic flux and the background magnetic field. In spite of the fact that a saddle-like or hyperbolic magnetic configuration is usually assumed as the necessary condition for magnetic field-line reconnection and magnetic energy release, no additional heating is observed inside the saddle structure. Moreover, interior parts of the saddle seem to be darker than the neighbouring loops of the arcade.     

Observations of Rotating Sunspots from TRACE

Recent observations from TRACE in the photospheric white-light channel have shown sunspots that rotate up to 200° about their umbral centre over a period of 3–5 days. The corresponding loops in the coronal fan are often seen to twist and can erupt as flares. In an ongoing study, seven cases of rotating sunspots have been identified, two of which can be associated with sigmoid structures appearing in Yohkoh/SXT and six with events seen by GOES. This paper analyzes the rotation rates of the sunspots using TRACE white-light data. Observations from AR 9114 are presented in detail in the main text and a summary of the results for the remaining six sunspots is presented in Appendixes A–F. Discussion of the key results, particularly common features, are presented, as well as possible mechanisms for sunspot rotation. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026138413791     

A Hard X-ray Two-Ribbon Flare Observed with Yohkoh/HXT

The Yohkoh hard X-ray telescope (HXT) observed hard X-rays from the impulsive phase of a long-duration event (LDE) occurring on 14 July 2000. The Yohkoh soft X-ray telescope (SXT) and other instruments observed a large arcade, with width and length ∼30 000 km and ∼120 000 km, respectively. In hard X-rays, for the first time, a two-ribbon structure was clearly observed in the energy range above 30 keV. This result suggests that electrons are in fact accelerated in the whole system of this arcade, not merely in a particular dominant loop. We analyzed the motions of bright kernels in the two hard X-ray ribbons in detail. Assuming these bright kernels to be footpoints of newly reconnected loops, we infer from their motions that the loops reconnecting early are highly sheared, while the loops reconnecting later are less sheared. We have also analyzed the hard X-ray spectra of the two ribbons independently. At the outer edge of a ribbon, the spectrum tends to be harder than that in the inner edge. This suggests that higher-energy electrons precipitate at the footpoints of outer loops and lower ones do at those of inner loops. We discuss what kind of model can support this tendency.     

Multiple-loop structure of a solar flare from Microwave,EUV and X-ray Imaging Data

We present the results of an analysis of a flare event of importance M2.8 that occurred at 00:56 UT 28 August 1999. The analysis is based upon observations made with the Nobeyama radioheliograph (NoRH) and polarimeters (NoRP), TRACE, SOHO/MDI, EIT, and Yohkoh/SXT. The images show a very complex flaring region. Pre-flare TRACE and EIT images at 00:24 UT show a small brightening in the region before the flare occurred. The active region in which the flare occurred had evolving magnetic fields, and new magnetic flux seems to have emerged. The X-ray and radio time profiles for this event show a double-peaked structure. The polarimeter data showed that the maximum radio emission (1200 s.f.u.) occurred at 9.4 GHz. At 17 GHz the NoRH images appear to show four different radio sources including the main spot and the main flare loop. Most of the microwave emission seems to originate from the main flare loop. Comparison of BATSE and microwave time profiles at 17 and 34 GHz from the main sunspot source shows that these profiles have similar structures and they coincide with the hard X-ray peaks. The maximum of the flare loop emission was delayed by 10 s relative to the second maximum of the sunspot associated flare emission. Analysis of SXT images during the post-flare phase shows a complex morphology – several intersecting loops and changes in the shape of the main flare loop.     

Counter-streaming Mass Flow and Transient Brightening in Active Region Loops

An active region loop system was observed in a decaying active region for three hours by TRACE and BBSO in a joint campaign on September 27, 1998. Continuous mass motion was seen in Hα offband filtergrams throughout the three hours, and some UV loops were exhibited transient brightenings. We find that: (1) cool material was flowing along the loops at a speed of at least 20 km s^?1. Further, in Hα red and blue wings, we see mass motion along different loops in opposite directions. This is the first report of a counter-streaming pattern of mass motion in an Hα loop system. (2) Transient brightenings of different UV loops at different times were observed at C?iv 1550 Å. These brightened UV loops were located in the same region and at the same altitudes as the Hα loops. The observations show a clear correlation between the transient brightenings of UV loops and mass motion in Hα loops. (3) Both footpoints of the loop system were located in regions of mixed magnetic polarities. Frequent micro-flares at one footpoint of the loops with small-scale brightenings spreading along the loop leg were observed before the brightening and rising of one C?iv loop. Similar to the case of a filament, the continuous mass motion along the loops seems important for maintaining the cool Hα loop system at coronal height. There may be an indication that the mass motion in cool Hα loops and the correlated transient brightening of the active region loops were due to the small-scale chromospheric magnetic reconnection at the footpoint regions of the loop system.

     

Oscillations in the Umbral Atmosphere

The results of simultaneous observations of oscillations in the chromosphere, transition region, and corona above nine sunspots are presented. The data are obtained through coordinated observing with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory — SOHO and the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer — TRACE. Oscillations are detected above each umbra. The power spectra show one dominant frequency corresponding to a period close to 3 min. We show that the oscillations in the sunspot transition region can be modeled by upwardly propagating acoustic waves. In the corona the oscillations are limited to small regions that often coincide with the endpoints of sunspot coronal loops. Spectral observations show that oscillations in the corona contribute to the observed oscillations in the TRACE 171 Å channel observations. We show that a recent suggestion regarding a connection between sunspot plumes and 3-min oscillations conflicts with the observations.     

Longitudinal intensity oscillations in coronal loops observed with TRACE – II. Discussion of Measured Parameters

In this paper, we give a detailed discussion of the parameters of longitudinal oscillations in coronal loops, described in Paper I. We found a surprising absence of correlations between the measured variables, with the exception of a relation between the estimated damping length and the period of the intensity variations. Only for 2 out of the 38 cases presented in Paper I did we find a significant perturbation in the 195 Å TRACE data. The loops supporting the propagating disturbances were typically stable, quiescent loops and the total luminosity of the analyzed structures generally varied by no more than 10%. The observed density oscillations are unlikely to be flare-driven and are probably caused by an underlying driver exciting the loop footpoints. It was demonstrated that the rapid damping of the perturbations could not simply be explained as a consequence of the decreasing intensity along the loops. However, we found that (slightly enhanced) thermal conduction alone could account for the observed damping lengths and wavelengths, and, additionally, explain the correlation between propagation period and damping length.     

Loop interaction scenario of a trace flare

We analyzed simultaneous EUV images from the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer (TRACE) and H and H filtergrams from Huairou Solar Observing Station (HSOS). In active region NOAA 8307, an H C5.5 flare occurred near 06:10 UT on 23 August 1998. In this paper, we concentrated on loop–loop interaction, as well as their relationship to the C5.5 flare. We find that while opposite polarity magnetic fields cancelled each other, H bright points appeared, and then the flare occurred. Looking at EUV images, we noticed that a TRACE flare, associated with the C5.5 flare in H and H filtergrams, first appeared as patch-shaped structures, then the flare patches expanded to form bright loops. We used a new numerical technique to extrapolate the chromospheric and coronal magnetic field. Magnetic field loops, which linked flare ribbons, were found. It was suggested that loop interaction in the active region was the cause of the TRACE and H flare; the magnetic topological structures were clearly demonstrated and the TRACE flare was probably due to the interaction among energetic low-lying and other longer (higher) magnetic loops. Each primary flare kernel, seen from H, H filtergrams, and EUV images, was located near the footpoints of several interacting loops.     

Inclination of large coronal loops observed by TRACE

A TRACE field of view well inside the solar disk shows very well defined large loops, likely to be very inclined to the solar surface. On the other hand there is little evidence of large loops perpendicular to the solar surface. We show that this does not mean that most large loops have such large inclination but that perpendicular loops are much less visible to TRACE, because of density stratification. We quantitatively evaluate this effect by modeling in detail loops with different inclinations.     

The discrete and localized nature of the variable emission from active regions

Using data from the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Spectroheliometer onSkylab, we study the empirical characteristics of the variable emission in active regions. These simultaneous multi-wavelength observations clearly confirm that active regions consist of a complex of loops at different temperatures. The variable emission from this complex has very well-defined properties that can be quantitatively summarized as follows: (1) It is localized predominantly around the footpoints where it occurs at discrete locations. (2) The strongest variability does not necessarily coincide with the most intense emission. (3) The fraction of the area of the footpoints,δn/N, that exhibits variable emission, varies by ±15% as a function of time, at any of the wavelengths measured. It also varies very little from footpoint to footpoint. (4) This fractional variation is temperature dependent with a maximum around 10⁵ K. (5) The ratio of the intensity of the variable to the average background emission, δI/Ī, also changes with temperature. In addition, we find that these distinctive characteristics persist even when flares occur within the active region.     

A new view of the solar outer atmosphere by the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer

The Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) – described in the companion paper by Handy et al. (1999) – provides an unprecedented view of the solar outer atmosphere. In this overview, we discuss the initial impressions gained from, and interpretations of, the first million images taken with TRACE. We address, among other topics, the fine structure of the corona, the larger-scale thermal trends, the evolution of the corona over quiet and active regions, the high incidence of chromospheric material dynamically embedded in the coronal environment, the dynamics and structure of the conductively dominated transition region between chromosphere and corona, loop oscillations and flows, and sunspot coronal loops. With TRACE we observe a corona that is extremely dynamic and full of flows and wave phenomena, in which loops evolve rapidly in temperature, with associated changes in density. This dynamic nature points to a high degree of spatio-temporal variability even under conditions that traditionally have been referred to as quiescent. This variability requires that coronal heating can turn on and off on a time scale of minutes or less along field-line bundles with cross sections at or below the instrumental resolution of 700 km. Loops seen at 171 Å (～1 MK) appear to meander through the coronal volume, but it is unclear whether this is caused by the evolution of the field or by the weaving of the heating through the coronal volume, shifting around for periods of up to a few tens of minutes and lighting up subsequent field lines. We discuss evidence that the heating occurs predominantly within the first 10 to 20 Mm from the loop footpoints. This causes the inner parts of active-region coronae to have a higher average temperature than the outer domains.     

2D Feature Recognition And 3d Reconstruction In Solar Euv Images

EUV images show the solar corona in a typical temperature range of T >rsim 1 MK, which encompasses the most common coronal structures: loops, filaments, and other magnetic structures in active regions, the quiet Sun, and coronal holes. Quantitative analysis increasingly demands automated 2D feature recognition and 3D reconstruction, in order to localize, track, and monitor the evolution of such coronal structures. We discuss numerical tools that “fingerprint” curvi-linear 1D features (e.g., loops and filaments). We discuss existing finger-printing algorithms, such as the brightness-gradient method, the oriented-connectivity method, stereoscopic methods, time-differencing, and space–time feature recognition. We discuss improved 2D feature recognition and 3D reconstruction techniques that make use of additional a priori constraints, using guidance from magnetic field extrapolations, curvature radii constraints, and acceleration and velocity constraints in time-dependent image sequences. Applications of these algorithms aid the analysis of SOHO/EIT, TRACE, and STEREO/SECCHI data, such as disentangling, 3D reconstruction, and hydrodynamic modeling of coronal loops, postflare loops, filaments, prominences, and 3D reconstruction of the coronal magnetic field in general.