Apparent Solar Tornado-Like Prominences

Recent high-resolution observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) have reawakened interest in the old and fascinating phenomenon of solar tornado-like prominences. This class of prominences was first introduced by Pettit (Astrophys. J. 76, 9, 1932), who studied them over many years. Observations of tornado prominences similar to the ones seen by SDO had already been documented by Secchi (Le Soleil, 1877). High-resolution and high-cadence multiwavelength data obtained by SDO reveal that the tornado-like appearance of these prominences is mainly an illusion due to projection effects. We discuss two different cases where prominences on the limb might appear to have a tornado-like behavior. One case of apparent vortical motions in prominence spines and barbs arises from the (mostly) 2D counterstreaming plasma motion along the prominence spine and barbs together with oscillations along individual threads. The other case of apparent rotational motion is observed in a prominence cavity and results from the 3D plasma motion along the writhed magnetic fields inside and along the prominence cavity as seen projected on the limb. Thus, the “tornado” impression results either from counterstreaming and oscillations or from the projection on the plane of the sky of plasma motion along magnetic-field lines, rather than from a true vortical motion around an (apparent) vertical or horizontal axis. We discuss the link between tornado-like prominences, filament barbs, and photospheric vortices at their base.     

Simultaneous SOHO and Ground-Based Observations of a Large Eruptive Prominence and Coronal Mass Ejection

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are frequently associated with erupting prominences near the solar surface. A spectacular eruption of the southern polar crown prominence was observed on 2 June 1998, accompanied by a CME that was well-observed by the LASCO coronagraphs on SOHO. The prominence was observed in its quiescent state and was followed throughout its eruption by the SOHO EIT and later by LASCO as the bright, twisted core of the CME. Ground-based H observations of the prominence were obtained at the Ondejov Observatory in the Czech Republic. A great deal of fine structure was observed within the prominence as it erupted. The prominence motion was found to rotate about its axis as it moved outward. The CME contained a helical structure that is consistent with the ejection of a magnetic flux rope from the Sun. Similar structures have been observed by LASCO in many other CMEs. The relationship of the flux rope to other structures in the CME is often not clear. In this event, the prominence clearly lies near the trailing edge of the structure identified as a flux rope. This structure can be observed from the onset of the CME in the low corona all the way out to the edge of the LASCO field of view. The initiation and evolution of the CME are modeled using a fully self-consistent, 3D axisymmetric, MHD code.     

The fine structure of prominences

The fine structure of nonspot prominences are studied from H filtergrams. The size of the smallest prominence structures increases with height above the chromosphere. Some prominences contain structures close to 1/2 arc second, which is the spatial resolution in the present data. The effective thickness of many nonspot prominences ranges between 4 × 10⁷ cm and 1.5 × 10⁸ cm. An apparent downward directed motion is observed in the majority of the prominences. No preferred direction of the motion is seen in regions composed of comparatively large diffuse structures. Some bright threads are visible for 1 hr and longer. Bright knots have an average observed lifetime of about 8 min. The process of condensation and subsequent destruction of prominence fine structure appears to take place on a very short time scale compared to the life time of the regions where prominences may exist. The observed H brightness of the prominences in the present data may be accounted for as scattered chromospheric radiation.     

A Statistical Analysis of Faint Hα Coronal Emission Associated with Prominences

The results from a detailed study of the prominences associated with faint H emission objects in the solar corona are given. The frequency distribution of the prominences by their lifetime, as well as for the prominence groups with and without `disparition brusque' (DB), is presented. The systematic comparison of the time of the prominence DBs and the observation time of the objects with faint H emission, as well as the positions of the faint H emissions and the associated filaments at the limb and on the disk of the Sun, suggests that in the most cases these coronal emissions are probably closely connected with the instability processes operating in the prominence magnetic field configurations and leading to prominence final or temporary DBs.     

A complex diagnostic of solar prominences

We use the polarimetric and intensity measurements of H and HeI D₃ lines in solar prominences to derive the true geometrical thickness for several quiescent prominences. The electron densities, derived from the collisional depolarization in H by Bommier et al. (1994), are used to evaluate the thickness from the emission measure. The emission measure was obtained from the theoretical correlation with the H integrated intensity, according to Gouttebroze, Heinzel, and Vial (1993). Theoretical electron densities obtained by latter authors are also compared with those of Bommier et al. (1994) and we find a very good agreement between them. The prominence geometrical thickness exhibits a relatively large range of values from about 100 km up to a few 10⁴ km. The plasma densities vary by almost two orders of magnitude in the observed structures, but the total column mass in the direction perpendicular to the prominence sheet seems to be fairly constant for the set of prominences studied.     

OSCILLATIONS IN PROMINENCE FINE-STRUCTURES

Oscillatory spectra of solar quiescent prominences highlight the importance of incorporating the effect of prominence fine-structure in the theory of prominence oscillations. We determine the magnetohydrodynamic modes of oscillation of an elementary, zero- model of a prominence fibril, arguing that the fast body kink modes, namely, the string and the internal magnetic Love modes, produce the observed short periodicities in prominence fine-structures. Estimates for the periods of these modes are presented: the modes are subject to testing in future high-resolution observations.     

Evolution of helically twisted prominence structures of March 11, 1979

Helical structures are generally associated with many eruptive solar prominences. Thus, study of their evolution in the solar atmosphere assumes importance. We present a study of a flare-associated erupting prominence of March 11, 1979, with conspicuous helically twisted structure, observed in H line center. We have attempted to understand the role played by twisted force-free magnetic fields in this event. In the analysis, we have assumed that the helical structures visible in H outline the field lines in which prominence tubes are embedded. Untwisting of observed prominence tubes and later, formation of open prominence structures provide evidence of restructuring of the magnetic field configuration over the active region during the course of prominence eruption. Temporal evolution of the force-free parameter is obtained for two main prominence tubes observed to be intertwined in a rope-like structure. Axial electric currents associated with the prominence tubes are estimated to be of the order of 10¹¹ A which decreased with time. Correspondingly, it is estimated that the rate of energy release was 10²⁸ erg s^–1 during the prominence eruption.     

Temperature of Solar Prominences Obtained with the Fast Imaging Solar Spectrograph on the 1.6 m New Solar Telescope at the Big Bear Solar Observatory

We observed solar prominences with the Fast Imaging Solar Spectrograph (FISS) at the Big Bear Solar Observatory on 30 June 2010 and 15 August 2011. To determine the temperature of the prominence material, we applied a nonlinear least-squares fitting of the radiative transfer model. From the Doppler broadening of the Hα and Ca ii lines, we determined the temperature and nonthermal velocity separately. The ranges of temperature and nonthermal velocity were 4000?–?20?000 K and 4?–?11 km?s^?1. We also found that the temperature varied much from point to point within one prominence.     

Physics of solar prominences

Summary Conclusion This colloquium on solar prominences - the first ever held - has shown that a major part of activity in prominence research in recent years concentrated on both observation and computation of the magnetic conditions which were found to play a crucial role for the development and the maintainance of prominences. Remarkable progress was made in fine-scale measurements of photospheric magnetic fields around filaments and in internal field measurements in prominences. In addition, important information on the structure of the magnetic fields in the chromosphere adjacent to the filaments may be derived from high resolution photographs of the H fine structure around filaments which have become available recently; unfortunately, an unambiguous determination of the vector field in the chromosphere is not yet possible.It is quite clear, now, that stable filaments extend along neutral lines which divide regions of opposite longitudinal magnetic fields. Different types of neutral lines are possible, depending on the history and relationship of the opposite field regions. There is convincing evidence that the magnetic field in the neighbouring chromosphere may run nearly parallel to the filament axis and that there are two field components in stable prominences: an axial field dominant in the lower parts and a transverse field dominant in the higher parts.Methods for the computation of possible prominence field configurations from measured longitudinal photospheric fields were developed in recent years. In a number of cases (e.g. for loop prominences) the observed configuration could be perfectly represented by a force-free or even a potential field; poor agreement was found between computed and measured field strengths in quiescent prominences. In order to reconcile both of them it is necessary to assume electric currents. Unambiguous solutions will not be found until measurements of the vector field in the photosphere and in the prominences are available.The two-dimensional Kippenhahn-Schlüter model is still considered a useful tool for the study of prominence support and stability. However, a more refined model taking into account both field components and considering also thermal stability conditions is available now. It was proposed that quiescent prominences may form in magnetically neutral sheets in the corona where fields of opposite directions meet.As for the problem of the origin of the dense prominence material there are still two opposite processes under discussion. The injection of material from below, which was mainly applied to loop prominences, has recently been considered also a possible mechanism for the formation of quiescent prominences. On the other hand, the main objections against the condensation mechanism could be removed: it was shown that (1) sufficient material is available in the surrounding corona, and that (2) coronal matter can be condensed to prominence densities and cooled to prominence temperatures in a sufficiently short time.The energy balance in prominences is largely dependent on their fine structure. It seems that a much better radiative loss function for optically thin matter is now available. The problem of the heat conduction can only be treated properly if the field configuration is known. Very little is known on the heating of the corona and the prominence in a complicated field configuration. For the optically thick prominences the energy balance becomes a complicated radiative transfer problem.Still little is known on the first days of prominence development and on the mechanism of first formation which, both, are crucial for the unterstanding of the prominence phenomenon. As a first important step, it was shown in high resolution H photographs that the chromospheric fine structure becomes aligned along the direction of the neutral line already before first filament appearance. More H studies and magnetic field measurements are badly needed.Recent studies have shown that even in stable prominences strong small-scale internal rotational or helical motions exist; they are not yet understood. On the other hand, no generally agreed interpretation of large-scale motions of prominences seems to exist. A first attempt to explain the ascendance of prominences, the Disparitions Brusques, as the result of a kink instability was made recently.New opportunities in prominence research are offered by the study of invisible radiations: X-rays and meterwaves provide important information, not available otherwise, on physical conditions in the coronal surroundings of prominences; EUV observations will provide data on the thin transition layer between the cool prominence and the hot coronal plasma.Mitt. aus dem Fraunhofer Institut No. 111.     

A Digital Imaging Multi-Slit Spectrograph for Measurement of Line-of-Sight Velocities on the sun

A multi-slit digital imaging spectrograph has been installed at Udaipur Solar Observatory, Udaipur (India) to measure the line-of-sight velocities in H associated with the mass motions of the dynamic phenomena on the solar surface viz. solar flares, eruptive prominences and surges. This spectrograph is being used in conjunction with a 15 cm aperture Coudé telescope to obtain the H spectra at a high rate of a specific region of interest on the Sun. In this paper, we describe the principal features of this instrument and the data acquisition method. We also present spectral observations of a surge and a quiescent prominence recorded using this instrument.     

Coronal mass-ejections-kinematics of the 19 December 1973 event

An eruptive prominence and coronal transient of 19 December, 1973 comprised one of the best-observed coronal mass ejection events during the skylab period (May, 1973–January, 1974). EUV observations show that the pre-eruptive quiescent prominence was (at 8000 K) not appreciably hotter than other quiescent prominences, but EUV radiation from it and its prominence-corona interface was unusually faint. The prominence material was distributed in helical threads which decreased in pitch angle during the early phases of eruption. No region of the prominence was markedly different from any other just prior to and during the eruption. For the first time, the temperature and density of rising prominence material were determined at great heights in the corona. At 3R , the prominence material was still confined in threads whose temperature and total hydrogen density were 2 × 10⁴ K and 1.5 × 10⁹ cm^–3, respectively. Shortly after this observation ( 7hr after the start of the eruption), the prominence material expanded dramatically. A small portion (1%) of the prominence material was observed draining downward near the solar surface late in the event, and we infer that only a small fraction (10%) of the pre-eruptive prominence mass was expelled from the Sun. The remainder of the prominence apparently lay outside the instruments' fields of view. The bulk of the material expelled did not originate in the prominence. Both coronal and prominence material accelerated outward during the period of observations. A pre-existing streamer was disrupted by the outflowing material.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

Studies of granular velocities

Observations of quiescent solar prominences with the Harvard College Observatory spectrometer abroad Skylab show that prominence material is optically thick in the Lyman alpha line and the Lyman continuum. The color temperature of the Lyman continuum has a mean of 6600 K and an upward gradient toward the top of the prominence. The departure coefficient of the ground state of hydrogen is found to be of the order of unity as expected from theory. The optical depth of the Ciii sheath region is determined directly from the observation of the limb through the prominence and used to infer the mean electron density and the temperature gradient of the sheath. The result implies that the sheath density is about 0.4, and the temperature gradient about 1.4 times the respective value in the Ciii transition zone of the quiet Sun. The Ciii triplet-singlet ratio for the prominence is found to give a density compatible, within the uncertainty of the atomic parameters, with the density obtained from the optical depth. The Oviλ1032 line, which is emitted by both the prominence and the surrounding corona, is used to obtain an estimate of the thickness of the outer transition sheath of the prominence.     

Configuration and gradual dynamics of prominence-related X-ray coronal cavities

We have analyzed X-ray images of the solar corona obtained by the S-054 telescope on Skylab, together with H filtergrams from the Catania Astrophysical Observatory and EUV and magnetic data, to study the morphology and the evolution of the coronal structures associated with prominences (coronal cavities).X-ray cavities are associated with prominences and are enclosed by series of loops of hot plasma typically higher than 5 × 10⁹ cm. Helmet streamers can be observed only at very large heights (> 1 solar radius). The cavities show a higher luminosity when prominences have temporarily disappeared. The density in one of these X-ray cavities ( 3 × 10⁸cm^–3) is insufficient to allow formation of dense ( 10¹¹ cm^–3) prominences by local condensation from the corona.Prominences associated with young (up to three solar rotations) and old (greater than eight) magnetic neutral lines are significantly less stable than those associated with middle-aged neutral lines. Downward bending of the top of the inner magnetic loop, necessary in some models of prominences, is not detected in these X-ray observations. The relevance of these results to models of prominence formation is discussed.Presently at Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Firenze, Italy.     

The eruption of a quiescent prominence as observed in UV lines

We compare observations of an eruptive and a quiescent prominence in order to better understand the energetic processes in an eruptive prominence. Observations of an eruptive prominence were obtained in H, several UV emission lines (1215–1640 Å), and coronal white light at approximately 19:00 UT on September 20, 1980. The data we present shows the development of the eruption in the H and UV emission lines and is compared with the intensities from similar observations of a quiescent prominence. While the event is coincident with some coronal changes, above 1.2 and up to 1.5 solar radii, it does not result in a true coronal mass ejection event.The comparison between the eruptive and quiescent prominences reveals several differences which suggest that the activation consists not only of a mechanical movement of material, but also changes in the temperature of the prominence plasma. Some prominence material that does not seem to participate in the large scale prominence motion is heated during the eruptive event. Most of this material is heated to transition zone temperatures with almost no cool core (i.e., no or very little H emission). The behavior indicates that there are structures that are first cool and then heat up to transition zone temperatures (apparently remaining stable for some time at these temperatures). Since this is an unstable temperature region for prominence type structures the energy transport that allows this is not understood and presents an interesting theoretical problem.Member of the Carrera del Investigador, CONICET, Argentina, presently at The University of Alabama in Huntsville.     

A model for quiescent solar prominences with normal polarity

A class of 2-D models of solar quiescent prominences, with normal polarity, is presented. These represent an extension to the Kippenhahn-Schlüter model for which the prominence configuration matches smoothly onto an external non-potential coronal solution of a constant field. Using typical prominence values a model is constructed which also matches the coronal conditions. It is found that the magnetic field component along the prominence influences the internal structure of the prominence. A simple extension to the basic models is indicated as a means of taking a lower boundary of the prominence and eliminating parasitic polarities in the photosphere.     

Modeling of prominence threads in magnetic fields: Levitation by incompressible MHD waves

The nature of thin, highly inclined threads observed in quiescent prominences has puzzled solar physicists for a long time. When assuming that the threads represent truly inclined magnetic fields, the supporting mechanism of prominence plasma against gravity has remained an open issue. This paper examines the levitation of prominence plasma exerted by weakly damped MHD waves in nearly vertical magnetic flux tubes. It is shown that the wave damping, and resulting `radiation pressure', caused predominantly by ion-neutral collisions in the `cold' prominence plasma, may balance the acceleration of gravity provided the oscillation frequency is 2 rad s^–1 (f0.5 Hz). Such short wave periods may be the result of small-scale magnetic reconnections in the highly fragmentary magnetic field of quiescent prominences. In the proposed model, the wave induced levitation acts predominantly on plasma – neutral gas mixtures.     

The coronal structure of Speedy Mic – I. A densely packed prominence system beyond corotation

We present new observations of the prominence system on the K3 dwarf Speedy Mic (BO Mic, HD 197890). Using an improved technique to track the absorption features in Hα we find a very active prominence system with approximately 10 prominences on the observable hemisphere per rotation. From a total of 25 prominences, we find an average axial distance of  (2.85 ± 0.54) R _*  which is twice the corotation radius above the stellar surface. We discuss the consequences of these observations on the nature of the supporting magnetic structures. Two consecutive nights, with complete phase coverage, combined with a further night after a three-night gap allow us to study the evolution of the prominence system on two different time-scales. Several of the prominences have counterparts at similar phases on consecutive nights. During this interval, many prominences show evidence for evolution in their heights and phases of observation. Five nights (13 rotation cycles) later, we recover many prominences at approximately the same phases. Whilst individual prominences change axial distances or appear/reappear from night-to-night, the underlying prominence supporting structures appear to be stable over as many as 13 stellar rotations.     

Prominence Cavity Regions Observed Using SWAP 174 Å Filtergrams and Simultaneous Eclipse Flash Spectra

SWAP images from PROBA2 taken at 174 Å in the Fe ix/x lines are compared with simultaneous slitless flash spectra obtained during the solar total eclipse of 11 July 2010. Myriad faint low-excitation emission lines together with the He i and He ii Paschen α chromospheric lines are recorded on eclipse spectra where regions of limb prominences are obtained with space-borne imagers. We analyzed a deep flash spectrum obtained by summing 80 individual spectra to evaluate the intensity modulations of the continuum. Intensity deficits are observed and measured at the prominences boundaries in both eclipse and SWAP images. The prominence cavities interpreted as a relative depression of plasma density, produced inside the corona surrounding the prominences, and some intense heating occurring in these regions, are discussed. Photometric measurements are shown at different scales and different, spectrally narrow, intervals for both the prominences and the coronal background.     

Model calculations of the rising motion of a prominence loop

Model calculations are presented for the rising motion of the top section of a prominence loop, which is represented by a straight flux rope immersed in a coronal medium permeated with a bipolar magnetic field. Initially the prominence is at rest, in equilibrium with the surrounding coronal medium. When the magnetic monopoles that account for the source current for the bipolar field strengthen, the upward hydromagnetic buoyancy force overcomes the downward gravitational force so that the prominence is initiated into rising motion. The illustrative examples show that prominences can move away from the solar surface by the action of the hydromagnetic buoyancy force, which is preponderant with the diamagnetic force due to the current carried by the prominence interacting with the coronal magnetic field produced by the photospheric currents, if the changes in the photospheric magnetic field are sufficiently large.     

CME-Flare Association Deduced from Catastrophic Model of CMEs

Based on our previous works regarding solar eruptions, we focus on the relationships among different eruptive phenomena, such as solar flares, eruptive prominences and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The three processes show clear correlations under certain circumstances. The correlation between a CME and solar flare depends the energy that stored in the relevant magnetic structure, which is available to drive the eruption: the more energy that is stored, the better the correlation is; otherwise, the correlation is poor. The correlation between a CME and eruptive prominence, on the other hand, depends on the plasma mass concentration in the configuration prior to the eruption: if the mass concentration is significant, a CME starts with an eruptive prominence, otherwise, a CME develops an without an apparent associated eruptive prominence. These results confirm that solar flares, eruptive prominences and CMEs are different significances of a single physical process that is related to the energy release in a disrupted coronal magnetic field. The impact of gravity on CME propagation and the above correlations is also investigated. Our calculations indicate that the effect of gravity is not significant unless the strength of the background field in the disrupted magnetic configuration becomes weak, say weaker than 30 G.