Characteristics of flares producing metric type II bursts and coronal mass ejections

We attempt to study the origin of coronal shocks by comparing several flare characteristics for two groups of flares: those with associated metric type II bursts and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and those with associated metric type II bursts but no CMEs. CMEs accompany about 60% of all flares with type II bursts for solar longitudes greater than 30°, where CMEs are well observed with the NRL Solwind coronagraph. H flare areas, 1–8 Å X-ray fluxes, and impulsive 3 cm fluxes are all statistically smaller for events with no CMEs than for events with CMEs. It appears that both compact and large mass ejection flares are associated with type II bursts. The events with no CMEs imply that at least many type II shocks are not piston-driven, but the large number of events of both groups with small 3 cm bursts does not support the usual assumption that type II shocks are produced by large energy releases in flare impulsive phases. The poor correlation between 3 cm burst fluxes and the occurrence of type II bursts may be due to large variations in the coronal Alfvén velocity.Sachs/Freeman Associates, Inc., Bowie, MD 20715, U.S.A.     

A Correlative Study of Green Coronal Intensity with Other Solar Indices

Lomnický tít data of 5303 Ú coronal green-line index (CI) are analysed for the years 1965–1994. The yearly quiet-Sun component (Q_ci) of CI estimated through the linear regression analysis of CI with sunspot numbers (SS) and CI with Ca plage index (CA) are found to vary with the 11-year solar activity cycle. Comparison of Q_ci with the quiet-Sun component of 10.7 cm flux (Q_10.7) revealed that the Q_ci contributes principally to the entire CI, while Q_10.7 assumes much smaller values compared to its yearly averages. The slowly varying component of 5303 Ú emission associated with sunspots and plages seems to be nearly absent in CI. This aspect is also confirmed through the multiple-linear regression analysis of CI with sunspots and plages. The delayed response of green corona to both sunspots and plages also revealed similar results.     

Re-Evaluation of the Flare–Type II–CME Association

We have re-evaluated the association of type II solar radio bursts with flares and/or coronal mass ejections (CMEs) using the year 2000 solar maximum data. For this, we consider 52 type II events whose associations with flares or CMEs were absent or not clearly identified and reported. These events are classified as follows; group I: 11 type IIs for which there are no reports of GOES X-ray flares and CMEs; group II: 12 type IIs for which there are no reports of GOES X-ray flares; and group III: 29 type IIs for which the flare locations are not reported. By carefully re-examining their association from GOES X-ray and H, Yohkoh SXT and EIT-EUV data, we attempt to answer the following questions: (i) if there really were no X-ray flares associated with the above 23 type IIs of groups I and II; (ii) whether they can be regarded as backside events whose X-ray emission might have been occulted. From this analysis, we have found that two factors, flare background intensity and flare location, play important roles in the complete reports about flare–type II–CME associations. In the above 23 cases, for more than 50% of the cases in total, the X-ray flares were not noticed and reported, because the background intensity of X-ray flux was high. In the remaining cases, the X-ray intensity might be greatly reduced due to occultation. From the H flare data, Yohkoh SXT data and EIT-EUV data, we found that ten cases out of 23 might be frontside events, and the remaining are backside events. While the flare–type II association is found to be nearly 90%, the type II–CME association is roughly around 75%. This analysis might be useful to reduce some ambiguities regarding the association among type IIs, flares and CMEs.     

Coronal Shocks of November 1997 Revisited: The Cme–Type II Timing Problem

We re-examine observations bearing on the origin of metric type II bursts for six impulsive solar events in November 1997. Previous analyses of these events indicated that the metric type IIs were due to flares (either blast waves or ejecta). Our point of departure was the study of Zhang et al. (2001) based on the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraphs C1 instrument (occulting disk at 1.1 R₀) that identified the rapid acceleration phase of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) with the rise phase of soft X-ray light curves of associated flares. We find that the inferred onset of rapid CME acceleration in each of the six cases occurred 1–3 min before the onset of metric type II emission, in contrast to the results of previous studies for certain of these events that obtained CME launch times 25–45 min earlier than type II onset. The removal of the CME-metric type II timing discrepancy in these events and, more generally, the identification of the onset of the rapid acceleration phase of CMEs with the flare impulsive phase undercuts a significant argument against CMEs as metric type II shock drivers. In general, the six events exhibited: (1) ample evidence of dynamic behavior [soft X-ray ejecta, extreme ultra-violet imaging telescope (EIT) dimming onsets, and wave initiation (observed variously in H, EUV, and soft X-rays)] during the inferred fast acceleration phases of the CMEs, consistent with the cataclysmic disruption of the low solar atmosphere one would expect to be associated with a CME; and (2) an organic relationship between EIT dimmings (generally taken to be source regions of CMEs) and EIT waves (which are highly associated with metric type II bursts) indicative of a CME-driver scenario. Our analysis indicates that the broad (90 to halo) CMEs observed in the outer LASCO coronagraphs for these impulsive events began life as relatively small-scale structures, with angular spans of 15 in the low corona. A review of on-going work bearing on other aspects (than timing) of the question of the origin of metric type II bursts (CME association; connectivity of metric and decametric-hectometric type II shocks; spatial relationship between CMEs and metric shocks) leads to the conclusion that CMEs remain a strong candidate to be the principal/sole driver of metric type II shocks vis-à-vis flare blast waves/ejecta.     

ON THE PROBLEM OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOLAR FLARES AND CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS

Combination of SMM data with Mauna Loa and GOES measurements shows significant relationships between coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares, or, more precisely, long decay (duration) X-ray events (LDEs). This relationship is not understood in all its details. Although mass ejections are considered to be a more probable candidate for the role of a driver, there is a problem, namely, which of these two phenomena is cause and which is consequence. To understand this, one traditionally compares start times of CMEs and LDEs. We show that the study of the correlation between XUV line broadening and the origin of CME acceleration gives additional possibilities to solve this problem. In the EUV emission, such investigations might possibly be carried out in the framework of the SOHO program. In the soft X-rays, SMM and Yohkoh data are convenient, albeit not for the same event.     

Solar hard X-ray and γ-ray bursts observed by the sigma anti-coincidence shield aboard granat

The anti-coincidence shield of the SIGMA telescope aboard GRANAT provides observations of solar X-ray and -ray bursts in the energy range 200 keV–15 MeV. The characteristics of the experiment are presented here as well as the observations of the solar bursts detected during the first year of operation. Among these events, two of these bursts associated respectively with a limb and a disk flare were observed with significant flux above 10 MeV. Advantage is taken of the experiment large detector area to examine fine time structures even at high energies ( 10 MeV).     

Coronal Mass Ejections Associated with Slow Long Duration Flares

It is well known that there is a temporal relationship between coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and associated flares. The duration of the acceleration phase is related to the duration of the rise phase of a flare. We investigate CMEs associated with slow long duration events (LDEs), i.e. flares with the long rising phase. We determined the relationships between flares and CMEs and analyzed the CME kinematics in detail. The parameters of the flares (GOES flux, duration of the rising phase) show strong correlations with the CME parameters (velocity, acceleration during main acceleration phase, and duration of the CME acceleration phase). These correlations confirm the strong relation between slow LDEs and CMEs. We also analyzed the relation between the parameters of the CMEs, i.e. a velocity, an acceleration during the main acceleration phase, a duration of the acceleration phase, and a height of a CME at the end of the acceleration phase. The CMEs associated with the slow LDEs are characterized by high velocity during the propagation phase, with the median equal to 1423 km?s^?1. In half of the analyzed cases, the main acceleration was low (a<300 m?s^?2), which suggests that the high velocity is caused by the prolonged acceleration phase (the median for the duration of the acceleration phase is equal 90 minutes). The CMEs were accelerated up to several solar radii (with the median ≈?7 R _⊙), which is much higher than in typical impulsive CMEs. Therefore, slow LDEs may potentially precede extremely strong geomagnetic storms. The analysis of slow LDEs and associated CMEs may give important information for developing more accurate space-weather forecasts, especially for extreme events.     

Source structure of gradual rise and fall bursts at 17 GHz

From 200 GRF (gradual rise and fall) bursts which have been recorded with the 17 GHz interferometer at Nobeyama, we deduce the following characteristics of GRF bursts: (1) Sources of GRF bursts are broader, less circularly polarized than those of impulsive bursts. (2) The sources are potentially of bipolar structure and have the peak brightness near the position at which the sense of circular polarization changes. (3) The association of GRF bursts with type III bursts, which are indicative of nonthermal electron acceleration, is significantly poorer than that of impulsive bursts.It is suggested that the sources of GRF bursts or generally of thermal bursts lie relatively high in the solar atmosphere possibly near the top of magnetic loops or arches which divide two regions of opposite magnetic polarity.     

Solar activity during first six years of solar cycle 24 and 23: a comparative study

Attempt to look into the nature of solar activity and variability have increased importance in recent days because of their terrestrial relationships. In the present work we have attempted to compare the solar activity events during first six years (2008–2013) of the ongoing solar cycle 24 with first six years (1996–2001) of solar cycle 23. To that end, we have considered sunspot numbers, F10.7 cm solar flux, halo CMEs and geomagnetic storms as comparison parameters. Sunspot number during the year 2008–2013 varied from 0 to 96.7 while during the year 1996 to 2001 it was observed from 0.9 to 170.1. Solar radio flux (F10.7 cm index) varied from 65 to 190 during the years 2008–2013 while it was observed from 65 to 283 during the years 1996–2001. 197 cases of halo CMEs (width=360^°) in solar cycle 23 (1996–2001) and 177 cases of halo CMEs (width=360^°) in solar cycle 24 (2008–2013) are investigated. 287 and 104 geomagnetic storm cases (Dst varies between ?50 and ?350 nT) are analysed during the half period of solar cycle 23 and 24 respectively. Comparative results indicate that solar cycle 23 was more pronounced in comparison of solar cycle 24.     

Solar microwave bursts recorded at 2.84 GHz with millisecond time resolution

A millisecond recorder for solar observation at 2.84 GHz was put to work in 1981. From April 1981 to September 1982 it recorded 250spike pulse events, which are here listed together with information on the associated solar flares, hard X-ray bursts and radio bursts. In defining these spike events, particular attention has been paid to ensure the reliability of the recorded data. Statistical analysis of the data has given some interesting results. The spike pulses have shorter duration and higher flux density than were previously known, and the basic units of the spike pulse events are single spike pulses crowded together forming separate clusters. Many spike pulses observed are not yet resolved at 1 ms. Fast spike pulse events are closely correlated with complex magnetic field regions, and are often accompanied by hard X-ray bursts and fast drifting radio bursts. Some such events showed no correspondence with the radio bursts at the same frequency, 2.84 GHz, but corresponded to those occurring at dm and short cm wavelengths. Some theoretical investigations of the spike phonomena have been carried out, the details of which will be discussed elsewhere.     

Activity associated with the solar origin of coronal mass ejections

Solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed in 1980 with the HAO Coronagraph/Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite are compared with other forms of solar activity that might be physically related to the ejections. The solar phenomena checked and the method of association used were intentionally patterned after those of Munro et al.'s (1979) analysis of mass ejections observed with the Skylab coronagraph to facilitate comparison of the two epochs. Comparison of the results reveals that the types and degree of CME associations are similar near solar activity minimum and at maximum. For both epochs, most CMEs with associations had associated eruptive prominences and the proportions of association of all types of activity were similar. We also found a high percentage of association between SMM CMEs and X-ray long duration events (LDEs), in agreement with Skylab results. We conclude that most CMEs are the result of the destabilization and eruption of a prominence and its overlying coronal structure, or of a magnetic structure capable of supporting a prominence.Much of this work was performed as a Visiting Scientist at the High Altitude Observatory/NCAR.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The Interplanetary Responses to the Great Solar Activities in Late October 2003

Based on the observations of the Sun and the interplanetary medium, a series of solar activities in late October 2003 and their consequences are studied comprehensively. Thirteen X-ray flares with importance greater than M-class, six frontside halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs) with span angle larger than 100 and three associated eruptions of filament materials are identified by examining lots of solar observations from October 26 to 29. All these flares were associated with type III radio bursts, all the frontside halo CMEs were accompanied by type II or type II-like radio bursts. Particularly, among these activities, two major solar events caused two extraordinary enhancements (exceeding 1000 particles/(cm²s^–1sterMev^–1) of solar energetic particle (SEP) flux intensity near the Earth, two large ejecta with fast shocks preceding, and two great geomagnetic storms with Dst peak value of –363 and –401 nT, respectively. By using a cross correlation technique and a force-free cylindrical flux rope model, the October 29 magnetic cloud associated with the largest CME are analyzed, including its orientation and the sign of its helicity. It is found that the helicity of the cloud is negative, contrary to the regular statistical pattern that negative- and positive-helical interplanetary magnetic clouds would be expected to come from northern and southern solar hemisphere. Moreover, the relationship between the orientation of magnetic cloud and associated filament is discussed. In addition, some discussion concerning multiple-magnetic-cloud structures and SEP events is also given.     

Coronal changes associated with a disappearing filament

This paper describes Skylab/ATM observations of the events associated with a disappearing filament near the center of the solar disk on January 18, 1974. As the filament disappeared, the nearby coronal plasma was heated to a temperature in excess of 6 × 10⁶K. A change in the pattern of coronal emission occurred during the 11/3 hr period that the soft X-ray flux was increasing. This change seemed to consist of the formation and apparent expansion of a loop-like coronal structure which remained visible until its passage around the west limb several days later. The time history of the X-ray and microwave radio flux displayed the well-known gradual-rise-and-fall (GRF) signature, suggesting that this January 18 event may have properties characteristic of a wide class of X-ray and radio events.In pursuit of this idea, we examined other spatially-resolved Skylab/ATM observations of long-duration X-ray events to see what characteristics they may have in common. Nineteen similar long-lived SOLRAD X-ray events having either the GRF or post-burst radio classification occurred during the nine-month Skylab mission. Sixteen of these occurred during HAO/ATM coronagraph observations, and 7 of these 16 events occurred during observations with both the NRL/ATM slitless spectrograph and the MSFC-A/ATM X-ray telescope. The tabulation of these events suggests that all long-lived SOLRAD X-ray bursts involve transients in the outer corona and that at least two-thirds of the bursts involve either the eruption or major activation of a prominence. Also, these observations indicate that long-lived SOLARD events are characterized by the appearance of new loops of emission in the lower corona during the declining phase of the X-ray emission. However, sometimes these loops disappear after the X-ray event (like the post-flare loops associated with a sporadic coronal condensation), and sometimes the loops remain indefinitely (like the emission from a permanent coronal condensation).Visiting Scientist, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, Ariz. 85726, U.S.A. operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.Presently located at NASA/MSFC, Space Sciences Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center, Ala. 35812, U. S.A.     

Interplanetary type II radio bursts and their association with CMEs and flares

We study the characteristics of the CMEs and their association with the end-frequency of interplanetary (IP)-type-II bursts by analyzing a set of 138 events (IP-type-II bursts–flares–CMEs) observed during the period 1997–2012. The present analysis consider only the type II bursts having starting frequency \(< 14~\mbox{MHz}\) to avoid the extension of coronal type IIs. The selected events are classified into three groups depending on the end-frequency of type IIs as follows, (A) Higher, (B) Intermediate and (C) Lower end-frequency. We compare characteristics of CMEs, flares and type II burst for the three selected groups of events and report some of the important differences. The observed height of CMEs is compared with the height of IP type IIs estimated using the electron density models. By applying a density multiplier (\(m\)) to this model, the density has been constrained both in the upper corona and in the interplanetary medium, respectively as \(m= 1 \mbox{ to } 10\) and \(m = 1 \mbox{ to } 3\). This study indicates that there is a correlation between the observed CME height and estimated type II height for groups B and C events whereas this correlation is absent in group A. In all the groups (A, B & C), the different heights of CMEs and type II reveal that the type IIs are not only observed at the nose but also at the flank of the CMEs.     

The effect of solar parameters on seasonal variation of 5893 Å line intensity at Calcutta

The purpose of this paper is to present the correlation of seasonal variation of 5893 Å line intensity with relative sunspot numbers, solar flare numbers and the variable component of 10.7 cm solar flux. A study has been made and the following important results have been obtained.

1. The intensity of 5893 Å line at Calcutta shows periodic variation with different solar parameters during descending part of secondary peak of 21st solar cycle (1984–1985).
2. 5893 Å line intensity of Mt. Abu also shows periodic variation with solar parameters during the period 1965–1968 when there was a peak phase of 20th solar cycle.
3. A possible explanation for such type of variation is also presented.

     

Statistical Analysis of Solar Events Associated with Storm Sudden Commencements over One Year of Solar Maximum During Cycle 23: Propagation from the Sun to the Earth and Effects

Taking the 32 storm sudden commencements (SSCs) listed by the International Service of Geomagnetic Indices (ISGI) of the Observatory de l’Ebre during 2002 (solar activity maximum in Cycle 23) as a starting point, we performed a multi-criterion analysis based on observations (propagation time, velocity comparisons, sense of the magnetic field rotation, radio waves) to associate them with solar sources, identified their effects in the interplanetary medium, and looked at the response of the terrestrial ionized and neutral environment. We find that 28 SSCs can be related to 44 coronal mass ejections (CMEs), 15 with a unique CME and 13 with a series of multiple CMEs, among which 19 (68%) involved halo CMEs. Twelve of the 19 fastest CMEs with speeds greater than 1000 km?s^?1 are halo CMEs. For the 44 CMEs, including 21 halo CMEs, the corresponding X-ray flare classes are: 3 X-class, 19 M-class, and 22 C-class flares. The probability for an SSC to occur is 75% if the CME is a halo CME. Among the 500, or even more, front-side, non-halo CMEs recorded in 2002, only 23 could be the source of an SSC, i.e. 5%. The complex interactions between two (or more) CMEs and the modification of their trajectories have been examined using joint white-light and multiple-wavelength radio observations. The detection of long-lasting type IV bursts observed at metric–hectometric wavelengths is a very useful criterion for the CME–SSC events association. The events associated with the most depressed Dst values are also associated with type IV radio bursts. The four SSCs associated with a single shock at L1 correspond to four radio events exhibiting characteristics different from type IV radio bursts. The solar-wind structures at L1 after the 32 SSCs are 12 magnetic clouds (MCs), 6 interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) without an MC structure, 4 miscellaneous structures, which cannot unambiguously be classified as ICMEs, 5 corotating or stream interaction regions (CIRs/SIRs), one CIR caused two SSCs, and 4 shock events; note than one CIR caused two SSCs. The 11 MCs listed in 3 or more MC catalogs covering the year 2002 are associated with SSCs. For the three most intense geomagnetic storms (based on Dst minima) related to MCs, we note two sudden increases of the Dst, at the arrival of the sheath and the arrival of the MC itself. In terms of geoeffectiveness, the relation between the CME speed and the magnetic-storm intensity, as characterized using the Dst magnetic index, is very complex, but generally CMEs with velocities at the Sun larger than 1000 km?s^?1 have larger probabilities to trigger moderate or intense storms. The most geoeffective events are MCs, since 92% of them trigger moderate or intense storms, followed by ICMEs (33%). At best, CIRs/SIRs only cause weak storms. We show that these geoeffective events (ICMEs or MCs) trigger an increased and combined auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) and non-thermal continuum (NTC) wave activity in the magnetosphere, an enhanced convection in the ionosphere, and a stronger response in the thermosphere. However, this trend does not appear clearly in the coupling functions, which exhibit relatively weak correlations between the solar-wind energy input and the amplitude of various geomagnetic indices, whereas the role of the southward component of the solar-wind magnetic field is confirmed. Some saturation appears for Dst values \(< -100\) nT on the integrated values of the polar and auroral indices.     

The emission and propagation of ∼ 40keV solar flare electrons

Observations of prompt 40 keV solar flare electron events by the IMP series of satellites in the period August, 1966 to December, 1967 are tabulated along with prompt energetic solar proton events in the period 1964–1967. The interrelationship of the various types of energetic particle emission by the sun, including relativistic energy electrons reported by Cline and McDonald (1968) are investigated. Relativistic energy electron emission is found to occur only during proton events. The solar optical, radio and X-ray emission associated with these various energetic particle emissions as well as the propagation characteristics of each particle species are examined in order to study the particle acceleration and emission mechanisms in a solar flare. Evidence is presented for two separate particle acceleration and/or emission mechanisms, one of which produces 40 keV electrons and the other of which produces solar proton and possibly relativistic energy electrons. It is found that solar flares can be divided into three categories depending on their energetic particle emission: (1) small flares with no accompanying energetic phenomena either in particles, radio or X-ray emission; (2) small flares which produce low energy electrons and which are accompanied by type III and microwave radio bursts and energetic ( 20 keV) X-ray bursts; and (3) major solar flare eruptions characterized by energetic solar proton production and type II and IV radio bursts and accompanied by intense microwave and X-ray emission and relativistic energy electrons.     

A Study of Solar Radio Bursts with Fine Structures during Flare/CME Events

We have selected 27 solar microwave burst events recorded by the Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer (SBRS) of China, which were accompanied by M/X class flares and fast CMEs. A total of 70.4% of radio burst events peak at 2.84 GHz before the peaks of the related flares’ soft X-ray flux with an average time difference of about 6.7 minutes. Almost all of the CMEs start before or around the radio burst peaks. At 2.6?–?3.8 GHz bandwidth, 234 radio fine structures (FSs) were classified. More often, some FSs appear in groups, which can contain several individual bursts. It is found that many more radio FSs occur before the soft X-ray maxima and even before the peaks of radio bursts at 2.84 GHz. The events with high peak flux at 2.84 GHz have many more radio FSs and the durations of the radio bursts are independent of the number of radio FSs. Parameters are given for zebra patterns, type III bursts, and fiber structures, and the other types of FSs are described briefly. These radio FSs include some special types of FSs such as double type U bursts and W-type bursts.     

Particle Acceleration and Propagation in Strong Flares without Major Solar Energetic Particle Events

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) detected in space are statistically associated with flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). But it is not clear how these processes actually contribute to the acceleration and transport of the particles. The present work addresses the question why flares accompanied by intense soft X-ray bursts may not produce SEPs detected by observations with the GOES spacecraft. We consider all X-class X-ray bursts between 1996 and 2006 from the western solar hemisphere. 21 out of 69 have no signature in GOES proton intensities above 10 MeV, despite being significant accelerators of electrons, as shown by their radio emission at cm wavelengths. The majority (11/20) has no type III radio bursts from electron beams escaping towards interplanetary space during the impulsive flare phase. Together with other radio properties, this indicates that the electrons accelerated during the impulsive flare phase remain confined in the low corona. This occurs in flares with and without a CME. Although GOES saw no protons above 10 MeV at geosynchronous orbit, energetic particles were detected in some (4/11) confined events at Lagrangian point L1 aboard ACE or SoHO. These events have, besides the confined microwave emission, dm-m wave type II and type IV bursts indicating an independent accelerator in the corona. Three of them are accompanied by CMEs. We conclude that the principal reason why major solar flares in the western hemisphere are not associated with SEPs is the confinement of particles accelerated in the impulsive phase. A coronal shock wave or the restructuring of the magnetically stressed corona, indicated by the type II and IV bursts, can explain the detection of SEPs when flare-accelerated particles do not reach open magnetic field lines. But the mere presence of these radio signatures, especially of a metric type II burst, is not a sufficient condition for a major SEP event.