Vertical current and a 3B/X12 flare in a highly sheared active region (NOAA 6659) on June 9, 1991

NOAA active region 6659, during its June 1991 transit across the solar disk, showed highly sheared vector magnetic field structures and produced numerous powerful flares, including five white-light flares. Photospheric vector magnetograms of this active region were obtained at the Huairou Solar Observing Station of the Beijing Astronomical Observatory. After the resolution of the 180° ambiguity of the transverse magnetic field and transformation of off-center vector magnetograms to the heliographic plane, we have determined the photospheric vertical current density and discussed the relationship with powerful flares. The following results were obtained: (a) The powerful 3B/X12 flare on June 9, 1991 was triggered by the interaction between the large-scale electric current system and magnetic flux of opposite polarity. (b) The kernels of the powerful Hβ flare (sites of the white-light flare) were close to the peaks of the vertical electric current density. (c) Some small-scale structures of the vertical current relative to the magnetic islands of opposite polarity have not been found. This probably implies that the electric current is not always parallel to the magnetic field in solar active regions.     

Relationship between electric currents,photospheric motions,chromospheric activity,and magnetic field topology

Through coordinated observations made during the Max'91 campaign in June 1989 in Potsdam (magnetograms), Debrecen (white light and H), and Meudon (MSDP), we follow the evolution of the sunspot group in active region NOAA 5555 for 6 days. The topology of the coronal magnetic field is investigated by using a method based on the concept of separatrices - applied previously (Mandriniet al., 1991) to a magnetic region slightly distorted by field-aligned currents. The present active region differs by having significant magnetic shear. We find that the H flare kernels and the main photospheric electric current cells are located close to the intersection of the separatrices with the chromosphere, in a linear force-free field configuration adapted to the observed shear. Sunspot motions, strong currents, isolated polarities, or intersecting separatrices are not in themselves sufficient to produce a flare. A combination of them all is required. This supports the idea that flares are due to magnetic reconnection, when flux tubes with field-aligned currents move towards the separatrix locations.     

Active Magnetic Interfaces and Flares in Noaa 7469

Time sequences of vector magnetograms and H filtergrams of NOAA 7469 were obtained during 4–12 April 1993 at Huairou Solar Observing Station of Beijing Astronomical Observatory. The region was characterized by the emergence of several new bipoles and the formation of active magnetic interfaces between newly emerging and pre-existing magnetic flux. Based on the 3-D magnetic lines of force, computed with the boundary element method (BEM), it has been found that the topology of magnetic lines of force changes when longitudinal magnetic fields evolve during the observing period. Two active magnetic interfaces were identified from 6 to 8 April in this region. By comparing H filtergrams with vector magnetograms of the photosphere and 3-D magnetic lines of force, it is found that many flares initiated at the active magnetic interfaces.     

A SEARCH FOR VECTOR MAGNETIC FIELD VARIATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE M-CLASS FLARES OF 10 JUNE 1991 IN AR 6659

A careful analysis of a 6-hour time sequence of vector magnetograms of AR 6659, observed on 10 June 1991 with the MSFC vector magnetograph, has revealed only minor changes in the vector magnetic field azimuths in the vicinity of two M-class flares, and the association of these changes with the flares is not unambiguous. In this paper we present our analysis of the data which includes comparison of vector magnetograms prior to and during the flares, calculation of distributions of the r.m.s. variation of the azimuth at each pixel in the field of view of the active region, and examination of the variation with time of the azimuths along the flaring neutral lines and at every pixel covered by the main flare emissions as observed with the H telescope coaligned with the vector magnetograph.     

Preflare state

Discussion on the preflare state held at the Ottawa Flares 22 Workshop focused on the interpretation of solar magnetograms and of H filament activity. Magnetograms from several observatories provided evidence of significant build up of electric currents in flaring regions. Images of X-ray emitting structures provided a clear example of magnetic relaxation in the course of a flare. Emerging and cancelling magnetic fields appear to be important for triggering flares and for the formation of filaments, which are associated with eruptive flares. Filaments may become unstable by the build up of electric current helicity. Examples of heliform eruptive filaments were presented at the Workshop. Theoretical models linking filaments and flares are briefly reviewed.Report of Team 1, Flares 22 Workshop, Ottawa, May 25–28, 1993     

Emerging Flux and X-class Flares in NOAA 6555

The active region NOAA 6555 had several locations of highly sheared magnetic field structure, yet, only one of them was the site for all the five X-class flares during its disk passage in March 1991. The pre-flare observations of high-resolution H filtergrams, vector magnetograms and H Dopplergrams of the 2B/X5.3 flare on 25 March 1991 show that the flaring site was characterized by a new rising emerging flux region (EFR) near the highly sheared magnetic field configuration. The polarity axis of the emerging flux was nearly perpendicular to the pre-existing magnetic neutral line. The location of the EFR was the site of initial brightening in H. The post-flare magnetograms show higher magnetic shear at the flare location compared to the post-flare magnetograms, which might indicate that the EFR was sheared at the time of its emergence. As the new EFR coincided with the occurrence of the flare, we suggest that it might have triggered the observed flare. Observations from Big Bear Solar Observatory and Marshall Space Flight Center also show that there was emergence of new flux at the same location prior to two other X-class flares. We find that out of five observed X-class flares in NOAA 6555, at least in three cases there are clear signatures of flare-related flux emergence. Therefore, it is concluded that EFRs might play an important role in destabilizing the observed sheared magnetic structures leading to large X-class flares of NOAA 6555.     

Electric currents and Hα emission in two active regions on the sun

We investigated the structure of magnetic field and vertical electric currents in two active regions through a comparison of the observed transverse field with the potential field, which was computed according to Neumann boundary-value problem for the Laplace equation using the observed H _z -value. Electric currents were calculated from the observations of the transverse magnetic field.There exist two systems of vertical electric currents in active regions: a system of local currents and a global one. The global current is about 2 × 10¹² A. In the leading part of the active regions it is directed upward, and in the tail downward.Flare activity is closely connected with the value and direction of both local and global currents: the flares tend to apear in places with upward currents. The luminosity of H flocculi is also connected with vertical electric currents; the brighter the flocculi, the more frequently they appear in places of upward electric currents.The sensitivity of H emission to the sign of the current suggests that charged particles accelerated in the upper parts of magnetic loops may be responsible for these formations. Joule heating might be important for flocculi, if plasma conductivity is about 5 × 10⁸ c.g.s.e.A model of a flare is suggested based on current redistribution in a system of emerging loops due to changes of loop inductance.     

Photospheric and Chromospheric Activity Associated with 3B Flare of February 27, 1992

We have analyzed the H filtergrams and vector magnetograms of the active region NOAA 7070, in which a 3B/X3.3 flare occurred on February 27, 1992. The average area per sunspot of this active region was in declining phase at the time of the flare. The vector magnetograms indicate that the magnetic field was non-potential at the flaring site. Besides non-potentiality, the longitudinal field gradient was found to be the highest at the region showing initial H brightening. Further, in H filtergrams no appreciable change in the morphology of the filament tracing the magnetic neutral line was noticed in the post-flare stage. Also, the photospheric vector magnetograms show considerable shear in post-flare magnetic field of the active region. In this paper we present the observations and discuss the possible mechanism responsible for the 3B/X3.3 flare.     

Development of magnetic shear

From an analysis of substantial sets of vector magnetograms, we have found that the development of magnetic shear is intrinsically related to the emergence of new magnetic flux. In view of the magnetic environment of the new emerging flux, we further divided the scenario of shear development into four modes: (1) satellite dipole intrusion; (2) collision of two dipoles; (3) unusual flux emergence in great-sunspots; (4) flux emergence in the active center of an active region. From a physical point of view, magnetic shear is either generated by local dynamo effect, or by the upward transport of magnetic shear from a subphotospheric layer.     

与耀斑双带重合的一对共轭电流带

利用SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory)/HMI (Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager)观测到的矢量磁图,研究了与活动区AR12673上爆发的一个X9.3级耀斑(2017年9月6日)的相关电流分布和演化.结果显示,在该活动区的磁中性线两边存在一对方向相反的电流密度约为0.4 A/m~2的长电流带,可称其为一对共轭电流带.这对共轭电流带在耀斑发生之前、期间以及之后一直存在;并且观测到,该耀斑的两个亮带的位置几乎刚好与两个电流带重叠,它们的形状也极其相似. 9月6日电流总强度演化曲线表明,电流强度在X9.3级强耀斑爆发期间出现快速增加的现象,这种现象持续了几个小时.这一研究结果有力支持了磁准分界面(Quasi-Separatrix Layer, QSL) 3维重联模型.     

Magnetic fields in flares and active prominences

The locations of flares and chromospheric absorption features on May 21 and 23, 1967, are compared with a series of H magnetograms. Each of the four major flares included in the study developed as double emission ribbons lying at positions of steep field gradient on opposite sides of the boundary between regions of opposite magnetic polarity. At certain stages, the flare outlines followed closely the isogauss contours of the longitudinal field. A fluctuating field of 75 gauss was measured directly in the importance two flare of May 21. Modifications in the magnetic structure of the active region followed the flares of May 23.     

Structures of chromospheric magnetic field in the vicinity of the filament of active region 5669

In this paper, the chromospheric magnetic structures and their relation to the photospheric vector magnetic field in the vicinity of a dark filament in active region 5669 have been demonstrated. Structural variations are shown in chromospheric magnetograms after a solar flare. Filament-like structures in the chromospheric magnetograms occurred after a solar flare. They correspond to the reformation of the chromospheric dark filament, but there is no obvious variation of the photospheric magnetic field. We conclude that (a) some of the obvious changes of the chromospheric magnetic fields occurred after the flare, and (b) a part of these changes is perhaps due to flare brightening in the chromospheric H line.During the reforming process of the dark filament, a part of its chromospheric velocity field shows downward flow, and it later shows upward flow.     

Coincidence between Hα flare kernels and peaks of observed longitudinal electric current densities

We compare large-scale filtergrams of a hitherto neglected class 1B flare with previously published vector magnetograms and maps of photospheric longitudinal electric current density (Hagyard et al., 1985). The vector magnetic fields were mapped simultaneously with the eruption of this flare. We find a coincidence, to within the ±2″ registration accuracy of the data, between the flare kernels and the locations of maximum shear and of peak values in the longitudinal electric current density. The kernels brighten in a way which implies that the preflare heating and the main release of flare energy are spatially coincident within the limits of resolution (≈2″). A pronounced magnetic shear exists in the vertical direction at the location of the strongest flare kernels. We provide evidence that the electric currents could be maintained by the energy stored in the sheared transverse magnetic field and that the amount of energy released is proportional to the amount stored. These circumstances are consistent with theories in which flares are triggered by plasma instabilities due to surplus electric currents.     

Force-free magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere

Reliable measurements of the solar magnetic field are restricted to the level of the photosphere. For about half a century attempts have been made to calculate the field in the layers above the photosphere, i.e. in the chromosphere and in the corona, from the measured photospheric field. The procedure is known as magnetic field extrapolation. In the superphotospheric parts of active regions the magnetic field is approximately force-free, i.e. electric currents are aligned with the magnetic field. The practical application to solar active regions has been largely confined to constant-α or linear force-free fields, with a spatially constant ratio, α, between the electric current and the magnetic field. We review results obtained from extrapolations with constant-α force-free fields, in particular on magnetic topologies favourable for flares and on magnetic and current helicities. Presently, different methods are being developed to calculate non-constant-α or nonlinear force-free fields from photospheric vector magnetograms. We also briefly discuss these methods and present a comparison of a linear and a nonlinear force-free magnetic field extrapolation applied to the same photospheric boundary data. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Configuration of the chromospheric magnetic field in a unipolar sunspot region

A set of H chromospheric magnetograms at various wavelengths near the line center, chromospheric Dopplergrams, and photospheric vector magnetograms of a unipolar sunspot region near the solar limb were obtained with the vector video magnetograph at the Huairou Solar Observing Station. The superpenumbral chromospheric magnetic field is almost parallel to the surface at the outside of the sunspot penumbra, where the magnetic lines of force are mainly concentrated in the superpenumbral filaments. In the gaps between the filaments the chromospheric horizontal field is weak.     

Vector magnetic field evolution,energy storage,and associated photospheric velocity shear within a flare-productive active region

The evolution of vector photospheric magnetic fields has been studied in concert with photospheric spot motions for a flare-productive active region. Over a three-day period (5–7 April, 1980), sheared photospheric velocity fields inferred from spot motions are compared both with changes in the orientation of transverse magnetic fields and with the flare history of the region. Rapid spot motions and high inferred velocity shear coincide with increased field alignment along the B _L= 0 line and with increased flare activity; a later decrease in velocity shear precedes a more relaxed magnetic configuration and decrease in flare activity. Crude energy estimates show that magnetic reconfiguration produced by the relative velocities of the spots could cause storage of 10³² erg day^–1, while the flares occurring during this time expended 10³¹ erg day^–1.Maps of vertical current density suggest that parallel (as contrasted with antiparallel) currents flow along the stressed magnetic loops. For the active region, a constant-, force-free magnetic field (J = B) at the photosphere is ruled out by the observations.Presently located at NASA/MSFC, Huntsville, Ala. 35812, U.S.A.     

Variations of magnetic fields and electric currents associated with a solar flare

The high-resolution vector magnetograms obtained with the solar telescope magnetograph of the Beijing Astronomical Observatory of the active region AR 4862 on 7 October, 1987, close before and after a solar flare, were used to calculate the electric current densities in the region. Then the relations between the flare and the magnetic fields as well as the electric currents were studied. The results are: (i) the transverse magnetic fields, and hence the longitudinal electric currents in the region before and after the flare, are evidently different, while the longitudinal magnetic fields remain unchanged; (ii) this confirms the result obtained previously that the flare kernels coincide with the peaks of longitudinal electric density in active regions; (iii) the close relation between the flare kernels and the electric currents indicates that the variations of the transverse magnetic fields and the longitudinal electric currents arise not from the general global evolution of the active region, but from the flare. These results tend to the conclusion that the triggering of a solar flare might be related with the plasma instability caused by the surplus longitudinal electric currents at some local regions in the solar atmosphere.     

Weak-Field Magnetogram Calibration using Advanced Stokes Polarimeter Flux Density Maps – II. SOHO/MDI Full-Disk Mode Calibration

Cotemporal Nii 676.8 nm full-disk magnetograms from the Michelson Doppler Interferometer (MDI) instrument on SOHO and the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter (ASP) are quantitatively compared using observations of active region AR 8218, a large negative polarity sunspot group observed at S20 W22 on 13 May 1998. MDI produces flux density estimates based on a polarized line center-of-gravity algorithm using moderate spectral resolution filtergrams with approximately 4 arc sec angular resolution. The magnetograms are formed by an on-board image processor and sent to the ground where they are calibrated using an empirical model to produce flux density maps. The ASP uses high spectral resolution Stokes polarimetric observations to produce very high precision vector magnetic field maps at angular resolution values on the order of 1 arc sec in good seeing. We use ASP inversion results to create a reference ASP `longitudinal magnetic flux density map' with which to calibrate the MDI full-disk magnetograms. The magnetograms from each instrument are scaled to a common reference frame and co-aligned with an accuracy of about 1.6 arc sec. Regions of invalid data, poor field-of-view overlap, and sunspots are masked out in order to calibrate MDI predominately on the relatively vertical `weak-field' plage magnetic elements. Pixel-to-pixel statistical comparisons are used to determine an MDI magnetogram linear calibration relative to reference ASP flux density values. We find that the current Level-1.5 MDI full-disk calibration gives flux density values lower on average by a factor of 0.64±0.013 compared to the ASP reference in active region plage. In sunspot regions (penumbra and umbra) the factor is 0.69±0.007.