A coronal condensation observed at the total solar eclipse of June 11, 1983 and a related transient prominence

A coronal condensation was observed simultaneously with Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374, Fe xi 7892, and H filtergraphs. The size and shape of the condensation in 5303 are different from those in other filtergrams. H filtergrams taken around the eclipse time show that a small transient prominence exists in close proximity to the condensation core and behaves like a post-flare loop system, though the appearance is quite different and no flare-report exists. A small-scale energetic phenomenon seems to have occurred at the top of magnetic loops.Contributions from the Kwasan and Hida Observatories, University of Kyoto, No. 285.     

Holes in the Hα Eruptive Prominence Structure

The eruptive prominence observed on 27 May 1999 in H at Ondejov Observatory is analyzed using image-processing techniques. To understand the physical processes behind the prominence eruption, heated structures inside the cold H prominence material are sought. Two local minima of intensity (holes), the first above and the second below the erupting H prominence, have been found in the processed H images. A comparison of H images with the SOHO/EIT and Yohkoh/SXT images showed: (a) the cold H prominence is visible as a dark feature in the EIT images, (b) the upper local minimum of intensity in the H image corresponds to a hot structure seen in EIT, (c) the lower minimum corresponds to a hot loop observed by SXT. The physical significance of the H intensity minima and their relation to the hot structures observed by EIT and SXT is discussed. The time sequence of observed processes is in favor of the prominence eruption model with the destabilization of the loop spanning the prominence. For comparison with other events the velocities of selected parts of the eruptive prominence are determined.     

Cerenkov line emission: The Lα/Hβ, Hα/Hβ, Pα/Hα intensity ratios of quasars

We use the Cerenkov line emission mechanism to give a new explanation of the observed intensity ratios, particularly the L/H ratio, of the emission lines of quasars. We give equations that restrict the choice of the parameter values. The parameters are the characteristic energy of the relativistic electrons, the number density of neutral hydrogen and its relative level populations. With reasonable choice of the parmaeters, we can obtain calculated L/H, H/H, P/H ratios in agreement with observed values. Our estimate for the gas density in the broad line region of quasars is 10¹⁵ cm^–3, very different from previous estimates. Unlike previous theories, such a high density causes no difficulties with the Cerenkov line emission.     

Some observational results on moustaches

The results of new observations of moustaches in H filtergrams and in H spectra are presented and their relations to photospheric and chromospheric phenomena are studied. The main findings and conclusions are: (1) previous results on basic data (size, brightness, lifetime, etc.) are essentially confirmed; (2) limb observations located the moustaches at the base of the structured H chromosphere, just above the level of the emission of H±1 Å. At the disk moustaches are, in general, covered by absorbing and slightly Doppler-shifted chromospheric elements which determine the H core in the moustache spectrum. However, absorption-free moustaches with an H emission core revealing a pure (true) moustache spectrum have also been found; (3) moustaches have been found to coincide with continuous facular granules; it is suggested that they are an extension of facular granules into the chromosphere rather than a low-level flare-like phenomenon.Mitteilung aus dem Fraunhofer Institut, No. 114.     

Evidence of Magnetic Field Reconnection in the Hα Eruptive Prominence on 18 september 1995

In this paper we present a detailed study of a violent evolution of the 18 September 1995 eruptive prominence observed by the H telescope and the Multichannel Optical Flare Spectrograph in Ondejov. The fast changes of the prominence structure started immediately after a weak radio burst at 3 GHz. This circumstance shows the presence of non-thermal processes. In the later phase of the prominence evolution a comparison of the H filtergrams with the Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope pictures was made. For a search of fine structures in the H images, an image processing technique was used. A detailed analysis of observations indicates magnetic field line reconnection, mainly in space below the rising H prominence. These reconnection processes are manifested not only by structural changes of the H prominence and X-ray loops but also by the character of Doppler velocities. Evidence of splitting and rotation was found in the H spectrum formed close to the reconnection space, and the typical velocities of such plasma movement were evaluated. We estimated amplitudes of rotational velocities, giving evidence about the rearrangement of helical structures during the process of the eruptive prominence activation. In the conclusion we discuss some implications of our results.     

The relations between chromospheric features and photospheric magnetic fields

High resolution photographic magnetograms are compared with H filtergrams (both on- and off - band) for a wide variety of solar features. It is verified that H filaments overlie neutral lines or bands and that H plages always occur at magnetic field clumps. However, the brightness of H plages bear no relation to magnetic field strength or polarity, and the direction of the magnetic field with respect to threads and filaments remains obscure. Counter-examples can be found for virtually every rule that has been formulated so far.Basic questions about the usefulness and final research goal of filtergrams and magnetograms are raised. It is shown that neither filtergram or magnetogram alone is capable of furnishing a unique solution. It is suggested that the proper direction for research is to use magnetograms, together with (as yet unspecified) additional sources of data, to understand H structures.     

A prominence model based on spectral observations

Intensities and profiles of the H, H, H, K, and D₃ lines are measured in a solar prominence. From the profiles of these lines we estimate T = 6400 K and _t = 5.7 km s^–1. We construct a simple isothermal model which explains the H intensity and profile for an assumed total particle density n _T = 3 × 10¹¹ cm^–3, and a filling factor, = 1/6.From this model we find that the source function in the H line is nearly constant through the prominence. We estimate from the model that the radiative energy loss at the center of the prominence is of the order of 10⁷ erg s^–1 g^–1.     

The behaviour of the infrared lines of neutral oxygen and the balmer lines of hydrogen in the spectra of early-type stars with emission lines

The equivalent widths of the oxygen lines at 7774 and 8446 and of H (and some H) have been measured for 22 early-type, emission-line stars. A strong correlation between H and 8446 intensities has been found, although there is no such correlation between H and 7774. This confirms the probability that Bowen's mechanism is operative (the neutral oxygen 3³ D state is overpopulated because the excitation energy of Ly- nearly coincides with that of theOi 1025 line). The possibility of using 8446 and H equivalent widths for a comparison of oxygen to hydrogen abundances in these stars is discussed.     

Comparison of Prominences in Hα and He II 304 Å

In this letter, we bring attention to prominences which show different morphology in H and Heii 304 Å, as observed simultaneously by BBSO and EIT on board SOHO. Those two lines have been thought to represent similar chromospheric structures although they are formed at significantly different temperatures. We give two examples representing two kinds of anomaly: (1) prominences showing strong H emissions in the lower part and strong Heii emissions in the upper part, and (2) erupting prominences showing extensive Heii emission, but nothing in H. Our results indicate that a part or the whole of a prominence may be too hot to emit H radiation, possibly due to heating or thermal instability. Please note that these are not just two isolated cases, many other prominences show the similar differences in H and Heii 304 Å.     

Spatial relationship between λ5303 and Hα components of a loop prominence system

There are remarkable similarities in the structure of loop prominences when observed in H and coronal lines, although the lines arise from extremely different excitation conditions. This leads to the consideration of a multi-component model, where different emission lines come from different elements of the structure. The late phases of a large west limb loop prominence system followed by a surge were recorded at Haleakala Observatory on March 6, 1970. Simultaneous filter-grams in H and 5303 were obtained, together with spectra at three heights in the prominence over the range 3850–5950 Å. The positions of bright knots of emission as seen in the green line are compared with associated H knots. With these relative positions determined, the filtergrams are superimposed to demonstrate the two dimensional spatial relationship between H and 5303 structures. The results support a model of cool loops within a closely associated hot loop system.     

Time delay between Hα and hard X-ray emissions during impulsive solar flares

This investigation shows that statistically there are significant time delays between H and hard X-ray (HXR) emissions during solar flares; most impulsive flares produce HXR emissions up to 1 min before and up to 2 min after the onset of H emission. HXR emissions are also found to be peaked up to 2 min before the H emissions.     

The Hα/Hβ ratio in solar flares

We have measured the ratio of H to H central intensities in the peak kernels of 14 flares, using simultaneous filtergrams. The ratio is typically one with some scatter. By contrast, in stellar flares the ratio is about 0.8.     

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.     

The 1 October 2001 Eruptive Prominence: Observed and Modeled Structures

Using TRACE 171 Å image observations and H spectra and images observed at the Ondejov Observatory, the October 1, 2001, eruptive prominence is studied. The evolution of this prominence is described and velocities of specific parts of the prominence are determined. It was found that, after the rising phase of the cold loop-like prominence, its upper part expanded and below this expanding part, around one of its legs a `ring' structure, visible in the TRACE images, was formed. Then, at the same place, a tearing of the prominence leg was recognized. Simultaneous spectral observations of this structure reveal a very broad H line, which indicates strong turbulent motion at these positions. These processes were accompanied by an expanding H envelope. Due to the similarity of the observed `ring' and tearing structures with those modeled by Lau and Finn (1996), the prominence leg tearing is interpreted as a reconnection process between two parallel magnetic ropes having parallel electric currents, but anti-parallel axial magnetic fields.     

Some statistical properties of Ellerman bombs

One hundred seventy-eight Ellerman bombs were identified and studied with on- and off-band H filtergrams of two active centers, one near disk center and the other near the east limb. The photographs, taken through a 1/4 Å bandpass filter, occasionally attained resolution as fine as 0.3. The mean duration of bombs at H-2 Å was about 13 min near disk center and 11 min near the limb; these times increase slightly when we observe closer to the core of H. Eighty-six percent of the bombs in the near-limb region and 56% in the disk-center region were seen to be accompanied by ejections of dark material; the ejections were 3–30 long. The ejection length appears to be proportional to the bomb size times the bomb lifetime.     

Evidence for non-potential magnetic fields in the quiet Sun

A comparison of BBSO H centerline filtergrams and videomagnetograms was made to investigate the existence of non- potential magnetic fields in the quiet Sun near magnetic network. We use the fibril structure in the H images as a proxy for the horizontal chromospheric magnetic field which we compare with the horizontal field obtained by potential extrapolation of the observed, line-of-sight photospheric field. The quiet-Sun field was found to be consistently and significantly non-potential in each of the three fields of view studied. A transient extreme ultraviolet (EUV) brightening, known as a blinker, occurred during the observations of a region where the field is highly non-potential, suggesting a connection between magnetic reconnection and non-potentiality.     

Hα Doppler brightening and Lyman-α Doppler dimming in moving Hα prominences

We consider the effect that coherent motion has on the observed brightness of moving clouds above the photosphere. We find that steady state clouds (constant N _e and T _e ) that are moving perpendicular to the line of sight will appear brighter in H for speeds between 8 and 100 km/sec and dimmer for speeds greater than 135 km/sec. The brightening and dimming are due to apparent Doppler shifts of the respective H absorption and the Lyman- emission profiles seen by the absorption profile of the moving cloud.We apply this analysis, along with optical depth and geometrical considerations, to the observed brightness variations of the 1 March 1969 limb eruptive prominence. We find that all of the observed brightening and dimming can be explained by the motions, and that no significant change in the prominence N _e or T _e was necessary during the observed H event. This conclusion is significant in interpreting an X-ray burst that began as the prominence velocity increased abruptly at the time of maximum H intensity. The thermal X-ray peak occurred 150 sec later when the prominence had become faint again. There was no associated flare that was visible in H. We discuss the relative brightness of H and D ₃ in a specific moving prominence knot.We note that the observed range of limb speeds (30–150 km/sec) may be due to the combined H Doppler brightening and Lyman- dimming effects. We also discuss generally the H brightness of disk surges (bright and dark) and flares, and sprays and puffs that occur at or near the limb.Now at the Dept. of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Colorado, and High Altitude Observatory (NCAR) Boulder, Colo., U.S.A.     

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.     

Fine structure of the Solar Chromosphere: Arch-Shaped Mottles

We analyze a time series of high resolution observations near the solar limb, obtained in H and the Mg b1 line. We identified arch-shaped dark mottles, which are thin, faint H structures observable under very good seeing conditions, best seen in H +0.75 Å. Their mean length is about 15, their mean height about 6 and indicative lifetimes is of the order of 5 min. They show negative (away from the observer) line-of-sight velocities. A possible interpretation is that material flows from the apex towards the feet of the arches.     

Morphological and evolutional features of Ellerman bombs

Morphological and evolutional features of Ellerman bombs were studied with H filtergrams of two active regions very close to the solar limb. We quantitatively determined the elongated or spike-like shape of the bomb. The mean apparent length of 174 bombs is 1.1 arc sec, while 80% of 204 bombs have a diameter of less than 0.6 arc sec. The mean lifetime of 77 bombs is about 12 min at H - 1.2 Å. The first maximum brightness of a typical bomb is attained, on average in about 2 min. Bombs grow longer in the first brightening phase and their mean upward velocity explains the blue asymmetry of H emission profiles of moustaches.