EUV Full-Sun Imaging and Pointing Calibration of the SOHO Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer

Although the field of view of the Normal Incidence Spectrometer (NIS) of the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) is 4×4 arc min, it is possible to observe the full solar disk by forming a mosaic of images taken in succession. This paper describes just such a study which has been used to collect images of the Sun simultaneously in six wavelengths between 304 Ú and 630 Ú, and with a temperature coverage between 5×10⁴ K and 2.5×10⁶ K. A representative sample of the resulting images is presented. These data can be used to explore the origin of solar EUV variability, and examine large-scale solar features. Another use of these data is to calibrate the pointing of the CDS Offset Pointing System (OPS), by comparing them against the SOHO Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) full-disk images taken at the same time. Many joint observations are made with CDS and other SOHO instruments, and calibration of the pointing is crucial to the co-pointing of the instruments, and to the analyses of these data. Coalignment is done by fitting to a cross-correlation function, using an IDL procedure which can be applied to any CDS/NIS data set. The accuracy of an individual coalignment can be demonstrated to be in the range 1–2 arc sec. The overall accuracy of the OPS calibration is ±5 arc sec, mainly attributable to measurement error in the actuator positions. An onboard Spartan Intermediate Sun Sensor of the Lockheed design, which was intended to provide greater pointing accuracy, exhibits a time-varying calibration, possibly due to a gradual loss of sensitivity.     

On the Coronal Mass Ejection onset and Coronal Dimming

A comprehensive case and statistical study of CME onsets has been conducted on the solar limb using the CDS, LASCO and EIT instruments aboard the SOHO spacecraft. This is the first dedicated campaign to establish firmly the EUV signatures of CME onsets and is based on a series of low-corona observing campaigns made in 2002. The event database consisted of 36 multiple emission line sequences observed with CDS and the study builds, in particular, on studies of EUV coronal dimming which have been associated with CME onsets. We witness a range of dimming events in EUV coronal emission line data. Shorter events, commonly of duration < 4 hours, we find are indirectly associated with CME onsets whereas longer-duration dimmings (> 4 hours) appear to be either due to coronal evolution or rotational effects. However, for some CME onsets, where the CDS pointing was appropriate, no dimming was observed. Dimming observed in EIT typically occurred immediately after the launch of a loop or prominence, and in 5 out of 9 events there is evidence of a matter buildup within the loop before launch. A total of 10 events occurred where CDS was used to directly observe the CME footprint, but no relationship between these events was found. The results suggest that the response of the corona to a CME launch differs between the low (1.0 R _⊙≤R≤1.2 R _⊙) and middle (1.2 R _⊙<R≤2.0 R _⊙) corona regions, hence implying a difference between dimming observations conducted with different instruments.     

FLOWS AND DYNAMICS IN THE CORONA OBSERVED WITH THE CORONAL DIAGNOSTIC SPECTROMETER (CDS)

EUV spectra obtained with the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) show significant flows of plasma in active region loops, both at coronal and transition region temperatures. Wavelength shifts in the coronal lines Mgix 368 Å and Mgx 624 Å corresponding to upflows in the plasma reaching velocities of 50 km s^-1 have been observed in an active region. Smaller velocities are detected in the coronal lines Fexvi 360 Å and Sixii 520 Å. Flows reaching 100 km s^-1 are observed in spectral lines formed at transition region temperatures, i.e., Ov 629 Å and Oiii 599 Å, demonstrating that both the transition region and the corona are clearly dynamic in nature. Some high velocity events show even higher velocities with line profiles corresponding to a velocity dispersion of 300–400 km s^-1. Even in the quiet Sun there are velocity fluctuations of 20 km s^-1 in transition region lines. Velocities of the magnitude presented in this paper have never previously been observed in coronal lines except in explosive events and flares. Thus, the preliminary results from the CDS spectrometer promise to put constraints on existing models of the flows and energy balance in the solar atmosphere. The present results are compared to previous attempts to observe flows in the corona.     

EUV Spectroscopic Observations of Spray Ejecta from an X2 Flare

An X2.3 class flare was reported on 10 April 2001 in AR 9415. A halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was associated with this flare. The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), which was running in its daily synoptic mode, recorded a very high-velocity ejection of plasma associated with this activity. The spatial scanning and spectral capabilities of CDS allow the measurement of both transverse and line-of-sight velocities. Components of the plasma, as seen in emission from Ov at around 2.5×10⁵ K, reached transverse velocities in excess of 800 km s^–1. The nature of the spectral line profiles suggests that a rotational motion of ±350 km s^–1 was superimposed upon the general outward expansion of approximately 150 km s^–1. The ejection detected using CDS was found to have a constant acceleration and is thought to be a spray of plasma with a helical structure driven by the magnetic topology.     

Analysis of Two Coronal Loops with Combined TRACE and SOHO/CDS Data

We use an innovative research technique to analyze combined images from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE). We produce a high spatial and temporal resolution simulated CDS raster or “composite” map from TRACE data and use this composite map to jointly analyze data from both instruments. We show some of the advantages of using the “composite” map method for coronal loop studies. We investigate two postflare loop structures. We find cool material (250 000 K) concentrated at the tips or apex of the loops. This material is found to be above its scale height and therefore not in hydrostatic equilibrium. The exposure times of the composite map and TRACE images are used to give an estimate of another loop’s cooling time. The contribution to the emission in the TRACE images for the spectral lines present in its narrow passband is estimated by using the CDS spectral data and CHIANTI to derive synthetic spectra. We obtain cospatial and cotemporal data collected by both instruments in SOHO Joint Observations Program (JOP) 146 and show how the combination of these data can be utilized to obtain more accurate measurements of coronal plasmas than if analyzed individually. Electronic Supplementary Material  The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

EUV Full-Sun Imaged Spectral Atlas Using the SOHO Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer

The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) carries out a regular program of measuring the full-disk irradiance using the Normal Incidence Spectrograph (NIS). The full-disk solar spectrum is returned in the wavelength bands 308–379 Å and 513–633 Å, with a spectral resolution between 0.3 and 0.6 Å. A recent modification to the CDS on-board software allows simultaneous moderate resolution monochromatic images to be made of the stronger lines in these wavelength ranges. We report on observations made 23 April 1998, 21 May 1998, and 22 June 1998. A total of 69 monochromatic full-Sun images are extracted from the spectral line data. For the first time, spectrally resolved images of the full Sun in Heii 303.8 Å and Sixi 303.3 Å are presented and compared. Velocity maps of the Sun in singly ionized helium are presented. Correlations of intensity to velocity over a wide range of transition region and coronal temperatures are shown. Lines from Hei to Fexiv show statistical red shifts of 1–7 km s^–1 between active regions and quiet Sun areas. Velocity maps of Mgix andx are presented, showing strong upflow and downflow regions associated with active regions, but not correlated with the brightest emission. Changes in line width are also presented in Hei, with discussion of similar features in other lines of comparable temperature. Corrections which need to be applied to CDS/NIS data to extract meaningful velocities and line widths are presented and discussed. The identifications of the lines in the CDS spectrum are examined. The spatial and spectral variation of the background component of the CDS spectrum is examined.     

The Gradual Phase of the X17 Flare on October 28, 2003

We present SOHO/CDS observations taken during the gradual phase of the X17 flare that occurred on October 28, 2003. The CDS data are supplemented with TRACE and ground-based observations. The spectral observations allow us to determine velocities from the Doppler shifts measured in the flare loops and in the two ribbon kernels, one hour and a half after the flare peak. Strong downflows (>70 km s⁻¹) are observed along the loop legs at transition-region temperatures. The velocities are close to those expected for free fall. Observations and results from a hydrodynamic simulation are consistent with the heating taking place for a short time near the top of the arcade. Slight upflows are observed in the outer edges of the ribbons (<60 km s⁻¹) in the EUV lines formed at log T < 6.3. These flows could correspond to the so-called “gentle evaporation.” At “flare” temperatures (Fe xix, log T = 6.9), no appreciable flows are observed. The observations are consistent with the general standard reconnection models for two-ribbons flares.     

A Multi-Wavelength Study of the Compact M1 Flare on October 22, 2002

In this paper we present a further study of the Ml class flare observed on October 22, 2002. We focus on the SOHO Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) spectral observations performed during a multi-wavelength campaign with TRACE and ground-based instruments (VTT, THEMIS). Strong blue-shifts are observed in the CDS coronal lines in flare kernels during the impulsive phase of this flare. From a careful wavelength calibration we deduce upflows of 140 km/s for the Fe XIX flare emission, with a pattern of progressively smaller flows at lower temperatures. Large line-widths were observed, especially for the Fe XIX line, which indicate the existence of turbulent velocities. The strong upflows correspond to full shifts of the line profiles. These flows are observed at the initial phase of the flare, and correspond to the “explosive evaporation”. The regions of the blueshifted kernels, a few arc seconds away from the flare onset location, could be explained by the chain reaction of successive magnetic reconnections of growing emerging field line with higher and higher overlying field. This interpretation is evidenced by the analysis of the magnetic topology of the active region using a linear force-free-field extrapolation of THEMIS magnetograms.     

Filament Observations with Soho Sumer/cds: The Behaviour of Hydrogen Lyman Lines

On 21 September 1996, a filament close to an area of enhanced network was observed with the Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation (SUMER) spectrometer and Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS). CDS provided intensity, Doppler shift and linewidth maps of the region in six lines whose temperature range covers 10⁴ to 10⁶ K. SUMER observations consisted of maps of the region in four hydrogen Lyman lines (L, L, L-6, L-7) and a Svi line (944 Å). In all the Lyman lines we detect a central absorption and an asymmetry in the intensity of the two peaks. First NLTE computations indicate that such reversed Lyman profiles and their absolute intensities can be reproduced with the existing filament models provided that we take into account a prominence-corona transition region (PCTR). We discuss the Lyman lines' asymmetry in terms of macroscopic flows by comparison with the Hei line Doppler shifts observed with CDS.     

The relationship between UV and X-ray active region structures

Yohkoh and the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) jointly observed two brightenings in active region NOAA 7981 on 6 August 1996. Combining the UV data from CDS with information from the high time resolution coronal images obtained with the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) on Yohkoh, provides us with important information on the relationship between the transition region and corona. Our observations show that cool plasma (T_e = 2.2 x 10^-5 K) can lie at the same altitude as the hot coronal plasma (T_e = 1–4 x 10⁶ K). The lower temperature structure is not formed from the cooling of the hotter coronal loop. We are also able to observe a low temperature cut-off of T_e = 1–4 x 10⁶ K for a loop which repeatedly brightened over the period of approximately one day.     

Massive stars exploding in a He-rich circumstellar medium – III. SN 2006jc: infrared echoes from new and old dust in the progenitor CSM

We present near- (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) photometric data of the Type Ibn supernova (SN) 2006jc obtained with the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT), the Gemini North Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope between days 86 and 493 post-explosion. We find that the IR behaviour of SN 2006jc can be explained as a combination of IR echoes from two manifestations of circumstellar material. The bulk of the NIR emission arises from an IR echo from newly condensed dust in a cool dense shell (CDS) produced by the interaction of the ejecta outward shock with a dense shell of circumstellar material ejected by the progenitor in a luminous blue variable (LBV)-like outburst about two years prior to the SN explosion. The CDS dust mass reaches a modest  3.0 × 10⁻⁴ M_⊙  by day 230. While dust condensation within a CDS formed behind the ejecta inward shock has been proposed before for one event (SN 1998S), SN 2006jc is the first one showing evidence for dust condensation in a CDS formed behind the ejecta outward shock in the circumstellar material. At later epochs, a substantial and growing contribution to the IR fluxes arises from an IR echo from pre-existing dust in the progenitor wind. The mass of the pre-existing circumstellar medium (CSM) dust is at least  ∼8 × 10⁻³ M_⊙  . This paper therefore adds to the evidence that mass-loss from the progenitors of core-collapse SNe could be a major source of dust in the Universe. However, yet again, we see no direct evidence that the explosion of an SN produces anything other than a very modest amount of dust.     

Rotating Transition Region Features Observed with the SOHO Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer

Strong evidence has been found from SOHO-CDS (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory – Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer) observations to support the hypothesis that rotation plays a major role in the dynamics of transition region features. A comprehensive survey of the CDS daily synoptic rasters has been carried out to select dynamic events by searching for spectral line shifts in the Ov emission line at 629.73 Å (formed at a temperature of 2.5×105 K). Unique CDS observations of a macrospicule were reported by Pike and Harrison (1997), and several more macrospicule-like solar features have now been identified in the polar regions both on the limb and disk. These show blue- and red-shifted emission on either side of an axis stretching above the limb from a footpoint region on the disk. These observations are interpreted as indicating the presence of a rotating plasma, a sort of solar tornado. In the examples studied, the rotation velocities increase with height. The implications for coronal heating models are discussed.     

Euv Blinkers: The Significance of Variations in the Extreme Ultraviolet Quiet Sun

A search for microflare activity in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) quiet Sun using the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft has not resulted in the identification of microflare activity, but has resulted in the identification of a hitherto unknown phenomenon: enhancements of a factor of 2–3 in the flux of transition region lines at network junctions. A total of some 6 hours of observation of 5 different target areas showed this ‘blinker’ activity at each area, with durations ranging from 1 to 30 min and averaging 13 min, and thermal energy content of order 10^-6 that of a ‘standard’ flare. Assuming that the observations are of typical quiet Sun, and projecting these data to predict a distribution of these events over the entire Sun, the total thermal energy content of these ‘blinkers’ is insignificant when compared to the energy required to heat the corona. The nature of these events and their significance are discussed in this paper.     

THE PROMINENCE – CORONA AND THE FILAMENT – CORONA TRANSITION REGION: IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE?

The ratio between the Extreme Ultraviolet emission of the prominence–corona transition region and that of the quiet Sun (QS) transition region is measured using observations from the CDS and SUMER instruments on board the SOHO Satellite. These results are compared with those obtained in an earlier paper, analysing the same prominence as a filament on the disk. Theoretical models predict a difference in the emission of the prominence–corona transition region when it is observed at the limb and on the disk as a filament; the aim of the present work is to provide an observational check of this difference. SUMER and CDS data provide fairly good agreement if the prominence intensity measured by SUMER is compared with the average quiet-Sun intensity, measured near the disk center; the prominence intensity relative to the average quiet-Sun level measured on the same rasters results in disagreement with CDS, due to the smaller size of the disk portion and to the very strong limb brightening present in SUMER rasters. The relative prominence to quiet-Sun intensity ratio varies from 0.2 to 0.4, depending on the line formation temperature. This value leads to a discrepancy with the results obtained in a previous study when the same prominence was observed as a filament. This discrepancy indicates that the prominence–corona transition region emission is different when emitted by different sides of the prominence.     

First Observations of Coronal Hole Structure and Evolution Using Soho-Cds

We report on initial observations of coronal holestructure and evolution by the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) instrument on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The data show that there is coronal activity on time scales of tens of minutes, manifested as brightenings at chromospheric network cell junctions in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths. There are also significant differences in structure seen in different wavelengths in coronal holes. Finally, we show coronal hole EUV spectra and compare them to quiet-Sun spectra, also taken by CDS.     

Active Regions Observed in Extreme Ultraviolet Light by the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer on Soho

We present observations of five active regions made by the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). CDS observes the Sun in the extreme ultraviolet range 150–780 Å. Examples of active region loops seen in spectral lines emitted at various temperatures are shown. Several classes of loops are identified: those that are seen in all temperatures up to 2 x 10⁶ K; loops seen at 10⁶ K but not reaching 1.6 x 10⁶ K; those at temperatures 2– 4 x 10^-5 K and occasionally at 6 x 10^-5 K but not reaching 10⁶ K. An increasing loop size with temperature and the relationship between the cool and hot structures is discussed. CDS observations reveal the existence of loops and other unresolved structures in active regions, at temperatures between 1.5– 4 x 10^-5 K, which do not have counterparts in lines emitted above 8 x 10^-5 K. Bright compact sources only seen in the transition region lines are investigated. These sources can have lifetimes of up to several days and are located in the vicinity of sunspots. We study the variability of active region sources on time scales from 30 sec to several days. We find oscillatory behaviour of Hei and Ov line intensities in an active region on time scales of 5–10 min.     

Soho Cds–nis in-flight intensity calibration using a plasma diagnostic method

The internal intensity calibration of the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) – Normal Incidence Spectrometer (NIS) is studied using the Arcetri diagnostic method. A large number of spectral lines observed by the CDS–NIS 1 and NIS 2 windows in a solar active region is analysed in order to determine the intensity calibration curve for both channels. The plasma diagnostic method developed in Arcetri allows the measurement of the correction factors to the preliminary CDS–NIS internal intensity calibration curves and the determination of the relative calibration between NIS 1 and NIS 2. A further correction factor of approximately three is found to be necessary for a correct intercalibration of the two wavelength windows. Also the NIS 2 second-order sensitivity is measured. The Arcetri diagnostic method proves to be a powerful tool for intensity calibration studies.     

Application of Spectroscopic Diagnostics to Early Observations with the SOHO Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer

The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) has as a scientific goal the determination of the physical parameters of the solar plasma using spectroscopic diagnostic techniques. Absolute intensities and intensity ratios of the EUV spectral emission lines can be used to obtain information on the electron density and temperature structure, element abundances, and dynamic nature of different features in the solar atmosphere. To ensure that these techniques are accurate it is necessary to interface solar analysis programs with the best available atomic data calculations. Progress is reported on this work in relation to CDS observations.     

Multi-wavelength study of a high-latitude EUV filament

A large filament was observed during a multi-wavelength coordinated campaign on June 19, 1998 in the Hα line with the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope (SVST) at La Palma, in the coronal lines Fe ix/x 171 Å and Fe xi 195 Å with the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) and in EUV lines with the SOHO/CDS spectrometer and the hydrogen Lyman series with the SOHO/SUMER spectrometer. Because of its high-latitude location, it is possible to disentangle the physical properties of the Hα filament and the filament channel seen in EUV lines. TRACE images point out a dark region fitting the Hα fine-structure threads and a dark corridor (filament channel), well extended south of the magnetic inversion line. A similar pattern is observed in the CDS EUV-line images. The opacity of the hydrogen and helium resonance continua at 171 Å is almost two orders of magnitude lower than that at the Hi head (912 Å) and thus similar to the opacity of the Hα line. Since we do not see the filament channel in Hα, this would imply that it should also be invisible in TRACE lines. Thus, the diffuse dark corridor is interpreted as due to the coronal ‘volume blocking’ by a cool plasma which extends to large altitudes. Such extensions were also confirmed by computing the heights from the projection geometry and by simulations of the CDS and TRACE line intensities using the spectroscopic model of EUV filaments (Heinzel, Anzer, and Schmieder, 2003). Finally, our NLTE analysis of selected hydrogen Lyman lines observed by SUMER also leads to a conclusion that the dark filament channel is due to a presence of relatively cool plasma having low densities and being distributed at altitudes reaching the Hα filament.     

The Absolute Abundance of Iron in the Solar Corona

We present a measurement of the abundance of Fe relative to H in the solar corona using a technique that differs from previous spectroscopic and solar wind measurements. Our method combines EUV line data from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory with thermal bremsstrahlung radio data from the VLA. The coronal Fe abundance is derived by equating the thermal bremsstrahlung radio emission calculated from the EUV Fe line data to that observed with the VLA, treating the Fe/H abundance as the sole unknown. We apply this technique to a compact cool active region and find Fe&solm0;H=1.56x10-4, or about 4 times its value in the solar photosphere. Uncertainties in the CDS radiometric calibration, the VLA intensity measurements, the atomic parameters, and the assumptions made in the spectral analysis yield net uncertainties of approximately 20%. This result implies that low first ionization potential elements such as Fe are enhanced in the solar corona relative to photospheric values.