Images of Gradual Millimeter Emission and Multi-Wavelength Observations of the 17 august 1994 Solar Flare

We present a comprehensive analysis of the 17 August 1994 flare, the first flare imaged at millimeter (86 GHz) wavelengths. The temporal evolution of this flare displays a prominent impulsive peak shortly after 01:02 UT, observed in hard X-rays and at microwave frequencies, followed by a gradual decay phase. The gradual phase was also detected at 86 GHz. Soft X-ray images show a compact emitting region (20), which is resolved into two sources: a footpoint and a loop top source. Nonthermal emissions at microwave and hard X-ray wavelengths are analyzed and the accelerated electron spectrum is calculated. This energy spectrum derived from the microwave and hard X-ray observations suggests that these emissions were created by the same electron population. The millimeter emission during the gradual phase is thermal bremsstrahlung originating mostly from the top of the flaring loop. The soft X-rays and the millimeter flux density from the footpoint source are only consistent with the presence of a multi-temperature plasma at the footpoint.     

Multiwavelength Flare Observations: Temporal Evolution of the 20 August 1992 Flare

The 20 August 1992 flare around 14:28 UT was observed in H, H and Ca ii H with the imaging spectrographs at Locarno-Monti, Switzerland, with the radiotelescopes in Bern, and in soft and hard X-rays by the Yohkoh satellite. In this paper we discuss the analysis of the temporal and spatial evolution of this flare, well observed at chromospheric and coronal layers. We find that the chromospheric electron density shows well-correlated rises with the hard X-rays emphasizing the direct response of the chromosphere to the energy deposition. Although both footpoints of the loops show simultaneous rises of the electron density, non-thermal electron injection is only observed in one of the footpoints, while an additional heating mechanism, like thermal conduction, must be assumed for the other footpoint. However, it is puzzling that all the chromospheric observations in both footpoints are delayed by 3 s compared to the hard X-ray light curve. Although this would be compatible with the thermal heating of one footpoint, it is in contradiction to the non-thermal heating of the other one. Finally, we observed evidence that during the first part of the flare a thermal conduction front propagates at a speed of 2000 km s^-1 into a second loop, in which the energy release occurs in the second part of the flare.     

Multiwavelength Observations of the 5 January 1992 Flare

The 5 January 1992 flare around 13:16 UT was observed in H, H, and Ca ii H with the imaging spectrographs at Locarno-Monti, Switzerland and in soft and hard X-rays by the Yohkoh satellite. In this paper we discuss the analysis of the temporal and spatial evolution of this flare well observed at chromospheric and coronal layers. We find that the strongest footpoint emission in the optical lines does not coincide with the sites of non-thermal electron injection and show that these footpoints are mainly heated by thermal conduction. The chromospheric electron density, determined from the H line profiles, shows several temporally well correlated rises with the hard X-ray intensity at the electron injection sites. Two of the flare loops clearly are associated with strong chromospheric evaporation, while very weak evaporation is observed in the loop with the strongest footpoint emission in the optical lines.     

Microwave,Soft and Hard X-Ray Observations of Solar Flares – a Self-Consistent Model of the Flare Site

High-resolution microwave observations of several flares performed with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WRST) on 3 and 4 July 1993 are compared with Yohkoh observations in the soft and hard X-ray domain. Only for one flare, among the six analyzed, was the hard X-ray spectrum between 20 and 200 keV available from the Wide Bragg Spectrometer, supplying the energy spectrum of non-thermal particles responsible for this radiation and for the radio emission. A complete model of this flare is derived which accounts for all available observations in the X-ray and radio wavelengths.     

Spectral and Spatial Variations of Flare Hard X-ray Footpoints

In a sample of strong RHESSI M-class flares we have made a study of the relationship between the `hardness' of the HXR spectrum and the intensity in the 30–50 keV energy range. In all events we find clear evidence for a `soft–hard–soft' pattern of correlation between hardness and flux, on time scales as short as 10 s. We investigate whether or not this pattern is intrinsic to the acceleration mechanism. The RHESSI images in this energy range are dominated by footpoint brightenings, and we have searched for a correlation between footpoint separation velocity and spectral hardness, to be compared qualitatively with theoretical flare models. We find quite systematic footpoint motions, and also note that episodes in which footpoint separation varies rapidly often correspond with episodes of significant change in the flare spectral index, though not as the simplest flare models would predict. We report also on one of our events, on 14 March 2002, which exhibits highly sheared HXR footpoint ribbons extending over a scale of 100 arc sec. For this flare we find a correlation between footpoint motion and hard X-ray flux. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1022479610710     

Positional measurements on the eruptive loop prominence of 27 April 1981 and comparison with the X-ray sources

Using the Hα observational data from Yunnan Observatory, we have made position measurements on the eruptive loop prominence of 27 April 1981, and have compared the results with the positions of X-ray sources obtained by the hard X-ray telescope (SXT) on board the HINOTORI satellite. From the results of measurement and comparison, it is suggested that 1) The two mounds A and C at 0830 UT are extensions of two ribbons in the flare near the limb, which started before 0758 UT. 2) The central positions of two X-ray sources at 0756 UT are just situated at the top of the mound A and the mound C, respectively. The Hα footpoint corresponding to the main source of X-rays was behind the solar limb. The second source of X-rays corresponds to C₁ and C₂. 3) The X-ray sources were probably located near the footpoints of loops.     

修正的Neupert效应

Neupert效应的定性描述是耀斑中脉冲分量(硬X射线、微波暴)与渐变分量(软X射线发射)之间存在的因果关系,即耀斑最初的能量是以加速粒子的形式释放,加速的电子在大气传输过程中产生非热硬X射线轫致辐射,并加热大气,耀斑软X射线发射是高能粒子注入大气的响应.根据经典Neupert效应的定量描述,硬X射线发射(表征非热电子注入)结束时软X射线应该立刻达到极大,但以往的观测发现一些耀斑软X射线峰值时间(t2)明显晚于硬X射线结束时间(t1)(τ=t2–t1,τ 0),热与非热辐射之间存在明显的偏离经典Neupert效应的情况.为了研究偏离经典Neupert效应的事件,在2002—2015年间的RHESSI (Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager)和GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites)耀斑列表中,按照在25–50 keV范围内光变较简单、软X射线有对应发射峰等判据,共选择276个耀斑样本,统计了这些耀斑的τ分布、环长d (用双足点源之间的距离来表征)与τ的关系.结果显示:(1)有227个耀斑τ 0,即有约82%的耀斑偏离经典Neupert效应;(2)τ与d之间存在一定的线性相关,即环越长,软X射线极大的时间越延后;(3)似乎存在一个临界距离,当环长小于临界距离时,经典Neupert效应成立.这些结果印证了修正Neupert效应的必要性,并对其物理意义进行了讨论.     

Hard X-ray emission from the solar corona

This review surveys hard X-ray emissions of non-thermal electrons in the solar corona. These electrons originate in flares and flare-related processes. Hard X-ray emission is the most direct diagnostic of electron presence in the corona, and such observations provide quantitative determinations of the total energy in the non-thermal electrons. The most intense flare emissions are generally observed from the chromosphere at footpoints of magnetic loops. Over the years, however, many observations of hard X-ray and even γ-ray emission directly from the corona have also been reported. These coronal sources are of particular interest as they occur closest to where the electron acceleration is thought to occur. Prior to the actual direct imaging observations, disk occultation was usually required to study coronal sources, resulting in limited physical information. Now RHESSI has given us a systematic view of coronal sources that combines high spatial and spectral resolution with broad energy coverage and high sensitivity. Despite the low density and hence low bremsstrahlung efficiency of the corona, we now detect coronal hard X-ray emissions from sources in all phases of solar flares. Because the physical conditions in such sources may differ substantially from those of the usual “footpoint” emission regions, we take the opportunity to revisit the physics of hard X-radiation and relevant theories of particle acceleration.     

Analysis of the X-ray/Hα flare of 1980 July 14

Using the X-ray data from the SMM Satellite and the optical data from the Yunnan Observatory, we analysed the Class 3B flare of 1980 July 14. We obtained the time variation of the X-ray spectrum, calculated the total number of electrons at the time of the flare and their mean energy and measured and compared the positions of the Hα flare and the X-ray burst source. The results show 1) that the hard X-ray burst was caused by high-energy non-thermal electron beam; 2) that the soft X-ray burst was basically generated by thermal bremsstrahlung of hot plasma, but the contribution by non-thermal electrons must also be included; 3) that the determined height of the X-ray burst source depends on the flare model and the magnetic field configuration of the active region. The results obtained support the newly emergent flux model of flares.     

Semi-empirical models of the white-light flare on October 24, 1991

On October 24, 1991, a white-light flare was observed both from space and from the ground. A multi-waveband spectral analysis shows that the peak time of the continuum emission coincides well with that of a radio burst at 2840 MHz and with the hard X-ray emission. Three semi-empirical models, corresponding to the pre-flare condition and to the peak time of continuum emission both with and without non-thermal excitation and ionization of hydrogen by an electron beam, have been obtained. The results indicate that there is fast heating both in the chromosphere and the photosphere. Some evidence is given that this WLF is very likely a result of bombardment by an electron beam. By taking into account non-thermal effects, the chromospheric temperature of the semi-empirical model is significantly reduced.     

The Observational Evidence on the Loop–Loop Interaction in a Flare–CME Event on April 15, 1998

The evolution of the soft X-ray and EUV coronal loops related to the April 15, 1998 solar flare–CME event is studied with multiwavelength observations including hard X-rays (BATSE), microwaves (NoRP, CNAO) and magnetograms (SOHO/MDI), as well as images from Yohkoh/SXT and SOHO/EIT at 195 Å. It is shown that: (1) two soft X-ray and EUV loops rose, crossed and turned bright, (2) near one footpoint of these loops, the background magnetic field decreased, (3) there were similar quasi periodic oscillations in the time profiles of hard X-ray and microwave emissions, which characterized the loop–loop coalescence instability, (4) after the loop–loop reconnection, two new loops formed, the small one stayed at the original place, and the large one ejected out as part of the constructed prominence cloud. Based upon these observations, we argue that the decrease of the background magnetic field near these loops caused them to rise and approach each other, and in turn, the fast loop–loop coalescence instability took place and triggered the flare and the CME.     

Flare-induced signals in polarization measurements during the X2.6 flare on 2005 January 15

Flare-induced signals in polarization measurements which were manifested as apparent polarity reversal in magnetograms have been reported since 1981. We are motivated to further quantify the phenomenon by asking two questions: can we distinguish the flare-induced signals from real magnetic changes during flares, and what we can learn about flare energy release from the flare-induced signals? We select the X2.6 flare that occurred on 2005 January 15, for further study. The flare took place in NOAA active re-gion (AR) 10720 at approximately the central meridian, which makes the interpretation of the vector magnetograms less ambiguous. We have identified that flare-induced signals during this flare appeared in six zones. The zones are located within an average distance of 5 Mm from their weight center to the main magnetic neutral line, have an average size of (0.6±0.4)×1017 cm2, duration of 13±4 min, and flux density change of 181±125 G in the area of reversed polarity. The following new facts have been revealed by this study: (1) the flare-induced signal is also seen in the transverse magnetograms but with smaller magnitude, e.g., about 50 G; (2) the flare-induced signal mainly manifests itself as apparent polarity reversal, but the signal starts and ends as a weakening of flux density; (3) The flare-induced signals appear in phase with the peaks of hard X-ray emission as observed by the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic lmager (RHESSI), and mostly trace the position of RHESSI hard X-ray footpoint sources. (4) in four zones, it takes place cotemporally with real magnetic changes which persist after the flare. Only for the other two zones does the flux density recover to the pre-flare level immediately after the flare.The physical implications of the flare-induced signal are discussed in view of its relevance to the non-thermal electron precipitation and primary energy release in the flare.     

XTE J1550–564: a superluminal ejection during the September 1998 outburst

In 1998 September, the X-ray transient XTE J1550–564 underwent amajor outburst in soft and hard X-rays, followed by a radio flare. Australian Long Baseline Array imagesobtained shortly after the peak in the radio flare showed evolving structure.The components observed have an apparent separation velocity of >2c.     

Prolonged nonthermal emission from solar flares and the Neupert effect

We analyze the observations of the hard (ACS SPI, > 150 keV) and soft (GOES, 1–8 Å) X-ray emissions and the microwave (15.5 GHz) emission in the solar flares on September 7, 2005 and December 6 and 13, 2006. The time profiles of the nonthermal emission from these flares had a complex structure, suggesting that active processes in the flare region continued for a long time (more than an hour). We have verified the linear relationship between the nonthermal flux and the time derivative of the soft X-ray flux (the Neupert effect) in the events under consideration. In the first two cases, the Neupert effect held at the time of the most intense nonthermal emission peak, but not at the decay phase of the soft X-ray emission, when the intensity of the nonthermal emission was much higher than the background values. At the same time, the hard X-ray emission was suppressed compared to the main peak, while the microwave emission remained approximately at the same level. In the December 13, 2006 event, the prolonged hard X-ray emission was difficult to observe due to the fast arrival of solar protons, but the Neupert effect did not hold for its main peak either. At comparable intensities of the microwave emission on December 6 and 13, the intensity of the hard X-ray emission on December 13 at the time of the main peak was suppressed approximately by an order of magnitude. These observational facts are indicative of several particle acceleration and interaction episodes under various physical conditions during one flare. When the Neupert effect did not hold, the interaction of electrons took place mainly in a low-density medium. An effective escape of accelerated particles into interplanetary space rather than their precipitation into dense layers of the solar atmosphere may take place precisely at this time.     

On the role of the magnetic configuration of flares for production of type III solar radio bursts

This paper investigates the possibility that the particular location of flare production sites in an active region is intimately connected to the production of type III radio bursts as well as centimetric and hard X-ray events. For the few active regions analysed (viz. McMath 8863, 8905, 8907 and 8921) it is shown that even a crude statistical test is sufficient in revealing significant differences concerning the emissions of these radiations by flares located in various flare production sites. In particular, flares located outside the general bipolar pattern of the active region are characterized by a higher type III flare association rate (? 50 %) than those taking place inside of it (? 20 %). Centimetric and hard X-ray events are more likely to be expected in connection with flares located inside strong magnetic fields arising from well developed sunspots. Such results are pointing out that the concept of ‘flare production sites’ is important not only in relation with the Hα flare activity but also in relation with the non-thermal emissions accompanying the flares. Probably this is due to changing magnetic configuration from one flare site to the other.     

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     

On the origin of solar flare X-rays

The origin of X-ray solar bursts is investigated on the basis of the theoretical model developed by Syrovatskii. According to this model (i) one of the most important manifestations of flares is the acceleration of charged particles (mainly of electrons) to subrelativistic and relativistic energies, and (ii) the two flare phases: stationary (soft) and nonstationary (hard) should be distinguished. The first phase is accompanied by the generation of the soft (2–8 Å) thermal X-rays and the second one by the generation of hard thermal and nonthermal X-rays in the 10 keV range. The thermal X-rays arise in both phases due to the heating of the ambient gas by accelerated particles. The possible mechanisms of non-thermal X-rays are investigated. Simple models of the emitting region are considered, taking into account the simultaneous observations in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.     

A blowout surge from the eruption of a miniature filament confined by large coronal loops

By means of Hα, EUV, soft X-ray, hard X-ray, and photospheric magnetic field observations, we report the surge-like eruption of a small-scale filament, called “blowout surge” according to recent observations, occurring on a plage region around AR 10876 on 1 May 2006. Along magnetic polarity reversal boundaries with obvious magnetic cancelations, the filament was located underneath a compact coronal arcade and close to one end of large coronal loops around the AR’s periphery. The filament started to erupt about 8 min before the main impulsive phase of a small two-ribbon flare, which had two Hα blue-wing kernels connected by hard X-ray loop-top sources on the both sides of the filament. After the flare end, the filament further underwent a distant eruption following a path nearly along the preexisting large loops, and thus looked like an Hα surge and an EUV jet. During the eruption, a small coronal dimming was formed near the flare, while weak brightenings appeared around the remote end of the large loops. We interpret these joint observations as the filament eruption being confined and guided by the large loops. The filament eruption, initially embedded in one footpoint region of the large loops, can break away from the magnetic restraint of the overlying compact arcade, but might be still limited inside the large loops. As a result, the eruption took a surge form that can only expand laterally along the large loops rather than erupt radially.