Prominences on the Limb: Diagnostics with UV – EUV Lines and the Soft X-Ray Continuum

In this paper we discuss the two mechanisms by which solar prominences on the limb can manifest themselves when observed in coronal UV – EUV lines and in the soft X-ray continuum. These mechanisms are the absorption in the resonance continua of hydrogen and helium on one hand and the reduction of the emissivity in a part of the coronal volume occupied by a prominence on the other one. We briefly describe earlier observations made with SOHO/SUMER, EIT and Yohkoh/SXT. We then discuss how the instruments on the new Japanese satellite Hinode can be used for more detailed studies of prominences. We also propose some combined observations between the Hinode satellite and the SOHO/SUMER instrument.     

2D Feature Recognition And 3d Reconstruction In Solar Euv Images

EUV images show the solar corona in a typical temperature range of T >rsim 1 MK, which encompasses the most common coronal structures: loops, filaments, and other magnetic structures in active regions, the quiet Sun, and coronal holes. Quantitative analysis increasingly demands automated 2D feature recognition and 3D reconstruction, in order to localize, track, and monitor the evolution of such coronal structures. We discuss numerical tools that “fingerprint” curvi-linear 1D features (e.g., loops and filaments). We discuss existing finger-printing algorithms, such as the brightness-gradient method, the oriented-connectivity method, stereoscopic methods, time-differencing, and space–time feature recognition. We discuss improved 2D feature recognition and 3D reconstruction techniques that make use of additional a priori constraints, using guidance from magnetic field extrapolations, curvature radii constraints, and acceleration and velocity constraints in time-dependent image sequences. Applications of these algorithms aid the analysis of SOHO/EIT, TRACE, and STEREO/SECCHI data, such as disentangling, 3D reconstruction, and hydrodynamic modeling of coronal loops, postflare loops, filaments, prominences, and 3D reconstruction of the coronal magnetic field in general.     

The Dependence of the EIT Wave Velocity on the Magnetic Field Strength

“EIT waves” are a wavelike phenomenon propagating in the corona, which was initially observed in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength by the EUV Imaging Telescope (EIT). Their nature is still elusive, with the debate on-going between fast-mode wave model and non-wave model. In order to distinguish between these models, we investigate the relation between the EIT wave velocity and the local magnetic field in the corona. It is found that the two parameters show significant negative correlation in most of the EIT wave fronts, i.e., the EIT wave propagates more slowly in the regions of stronger magnetic field. Such a result poses a big challenge to the fast-mode wave model, which would predict a strong positive correlation between the two parameters. However, it is demonstrated that such a result can be explained by the fieldline stretching model, i.e., that “EIT waves” are the propagation of apparent brightenings, which are generated by successive stretching of closed magnetic field lines pushed by the erupting flux rope during coronal mass ejections (CMEs).     

An Attempt to Detect Coronal Mass Ejections in Lyman-α Using SOHO Swan

In this study, the possibility that coronal mass ejections (CMEs) may be observed in neutral Lyman-α emission was investigated. An observing campaign was initiated for SWAN (Solar Wind ANisotropies), a Lyman-α scanning photometer on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) dedicated to monitoring the latitude distribution of the solar wind from its imprints on the interstellar sky background. This was part of SOHO Joint Observing Program (JOP) 159 and was an exploratory investigation as it was not known how, or even if, CMEs interact with the solar wind and interstellar neutral hydrogen at this distance (≈60 and 120 R _S). The study addresses the lack of methods for tracking CMEs beyond the field-of-view of current coronagraphs (30 R _S). In our first method we used LASCO, white-light coronagraphs on SOHO, and EIT, an extreme ultraviolet imaging telescope also on SOHO, to identify CME candidates which, subject to certain criteria, should have been observable in SWAN. The criteria included SWAN observation time and location, CME position angle, and extrapolated speed. None of the CME candidates that we discuss were identified in the SWAN data. For our second method we analyzed all of the SWAN data for 184 runs of the observing campaign, and this has yielded one candidate CME detection. The candidate CME appears as a dimming of the background Lyman-α intensity representing ≈10% of the original intensity, moving radially away from the Sun. Multiple candidate CMEs observed by LASCO and EIT were found which may have caused this dimming. Here we discuss the campaign, data analysis technique and statistics, and the results.     

Automated Detection Of Eit Waves And Dimmings

Studies of the onset of Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) rely on solar disk observations where CME structures are difficult to disentangle because of the diversity and transient character of the phenomena involved. Dimmings and coronal waves are among the best evidence of the large-scale reorganization of coronal magnetic fields associated with the onset of CMEs. The physical mechanism behind EIT waves is still unclear: they are considered as MHD waves and/or as a consequence of plasma compression on the extending border of a dimming. In this paper, we address the problem of automatically detecting and analyzing EIT waves and dimmings in EUV images. This paper presents a “proof of principle” that automated detection of EIT wave and dimmings is indeed possible. At the current stage of work, the method can unambiguously detect dimmings and EIT waves when applied on a typical test-case event. Moreover, we propose a way to extract these events from the data, and determine such parameters as life time, depth, area and volume of dimmings for future catalogs. For EIT waves we unambiguously define, in near solar minimum conditions, the eruption center, the front of EIT wave and its propagation velocity. In addition, we show that the presented methods yield new insights about the geometrical shape of dimmings and the connection with the EIT wave front properties, and the apparent angular rotation of the EIT wave under study.     

A Multiscale Vision Model applied to analyze EIT images of the solar corona

The large dynamic range provided by the SOHO/EIT CCD (1 : 5000) is needed to observe the large EUV zoom of coronal structures from coronal homes up to flares. Histograms show that often a wide dynamic range is present in each image. Extracting hidden structures in the background level requires specific techniques such as the use of the Multiscale Vision Model (MVM, Bijaoui et al., 1998). This method, based on wavelet transformations optimizes detection of various size objects, however complex they may be. Bijaoui et al. built the Multiscale Vision Model to extract small dynamical structures from noise, mainly for studying galaxies. In this paper, we describe requirements for the use of this method with SOHO/EIT images (calibration, size of the image, dynamics of the subimage, etc.). Two different areas were studied revealing hidden structures: (1) classical coronal mass ejection (CME) formation and (2) a complex group of active regions with its evolution. The aim of this paper is to define carefully the constraints for this new method of imaging the solar corona with SOHO/EIT. Physical analysis derived from multi-wavelength observations will later complete these first results. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1017579625208 with J.P. Delaboudinière P.I.     

Impulses of activity and the Solar cycle

Extreme-ultraviolet data from EIT/SOHO (1996–2002), soft X-ray data from Yohkoh (1991–2001), and magnetic field data from MDI/SOHO (1996–2002) and Kitt Peak Observatory, NSO/NOAO (1991–2002) are analyzed together in the form of synoptic maps for the investigation of solar cycle variations of the corona and their relation to the magnetic field. These results show new interesting relations between the evolution of the topological structure of the corona, coronal heating and the large-scale magnetic field. The long-lived coronal structures are related to complexes of solar activity and display quasi-periodic behavior (in the form of impulses of coronal activity) with periods of 1.0–1.5 year, in the axisymmetric distribution of EUV and X-ray fluxes during the current solar cycle 23. In particular, during the second maximum of this cycle the solar corona became somewhat hotter than it was in the period of the first maximum.     

Active region EUV transient brightenings – First Results by EIT of SOHO JOP 80

On 13 May 1998, the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT, on board SOHO) has produced a unique image sequence operating in 'shutterless mode' (SOHO JOP 80). In JOP 80, EIT is the lead instrument, followed by several space-born instruments (SXT, TRACE, MDI, CDS, SUMER), as well as two observatories on the ground (in La Palma and Sac Peak). The target of the campaign was a relatively small but rapidly evolving active region (AR 8218). For the EIT contribution, a 15 s cadence was achieved in the Fexii bandpass at 195 Å by leaving EIT's shutter open for 1 h and operating the CCD in frame-transfer mode. In this paper, we start the analysis of the huge data set, by making an inventory of the transients observed in the EIT image sequence. Besides scatter plots of duration, size and radiative output of the detected EUV brightenings, we discuss in full detail the morphology and evolution of several typical events. These transients range from a B3.5 flare producing a large plasma flow along pre-existing loops, to EUV versions of active region transient brightenings as previously observed by SXT on board Yohkoh. In addition, a new class of weaker footpoint brightenings is discussed that produce wave-like disturbances propagating along quasi-open field lines. This new class of propagating disturbances extends the wide variety of transient phenomena that we discovered in the EIT data, and makes the potential for inter-instrumental studies of the JOP 80 data all the more exciting. We stress the necessity of such forthcoming studies to reach an instrument-independent classification of small-scale solar transients.     

Streamer Belt and Chains as the Main Sources of Quasi-Stationary Slow Solar Wind

Synoptic maps of white-light coronal brightness from SOHO/LASCO C2 and distributions of solar wind velocity obtained from interplanetary scintillation are studied. Regions with velocity V≈300 – 450 km s⁻¹ and increased density N>10 cm⁻³, typical of the “slow” solar wind originating from the belt and chains of streamers, are shown to exist at Earth’s orbit, between the fast solar wind flows (with a maximum velocity V _max≈450 – 800 km s⁻¹). The belt and chains of streamers are the main sources of the “slow” solar wind. As the sources of “slow” solar wind, the contribution from the chains of streamers may be comparable to that from the streamer belt.     

Automatic Detection of Limb Prominences in 304 Å EUV Images

A new algorithm for automatic detection of prominences on the solar limb in 304 Å EUV images is presented, and results of its application to SOHO/EIT data discussed. The detection is based on the method of moments combined with a classifier analysis aimed at discriminating between limb prominences, active regions, and the quiet corona. This classifier analysis is based on a Support Vector Machine (SVM). Using a set of 12 moments of the radial intensity profiles, the algorithm performs well in discriminating between the above three categories of limb structures, with a misclassification rate of 7%. Pixels detected as belonging to a prominence are then used as the starting point to reconstruct the whole prominence by morphological image-processing techniques. It is planned that a catalogue of limb prominences identified in SOHO and STEREO data using this method will be made publicly available to the scientific community.     

Automated Identification of Coronal Holes from Synoptic EUV Maps

Coronal holes (CHs) are regions of open magnetic field lines in the solar corona and the source of the fast solar wind. Understanding the evolution of coronal holes is critical for solar magnetism as well as for accurate space weather forecasts. We study the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) synoptic maps at three wavelengths (195 Å/193 Å, 171 Å and 304 Å) measured by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SOHO/EIT) and the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) instruments. The two datasets are first homogenized by scaling the SDO/AIA data to the SOHO/EIT level by means of histogram equalization. We then develop a novel automated method to identify CHs from these homogenized maps by determining the intensity threshold of CH regions separately for each synoptic map. This is done by identifying the best location and size of an image segment, which optimally contains portions of coronal holes and the surrounding quiet Sun allowing us to detect the momentary intensity threshold. Our method is thus able to adjust itself to the changing scale size of coronal holes and to temporally varying intensities. To make full use of the information in the three wavelengths we construct a composite CH distribution, which is more robust than distributions based on one wavelength. Using the composite CH dataset we discuss the temporal evolution of CHs during the Solar Cycles 23 and 24.     

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 New Model for Propagating Parts of EIT Waves: A Current Shell in a CME

EIT waves are observed in EUV as bright fronts. Some of these bright fronts propagate across the solar disk. EIT waves are all associated with a flare and a CME and are commonly interpreted as fast-mode magnetosonic waves. Propagating EIT waves could also be the direct signature of the gradual opening of magnetic field lines during a CME. We quantitatively addressed this alternative interpretation. Using two independent 3D MHD codes, we performed nondimensional numerical simulations of a slowly rotating magnetic bipole, which progressively result in the formation of a twisted magnetic flux tube and its fast expansion, as during a CME. We analyse the origins, the development, and the observability in EUV of the narrow electric currents sheets that appear in the simulations. Both codes give similar results, which we confront with two well-known SOHO/EIT observations of propagating EIT waves (7 April and 12 May 1997), by scaling the vertical magnetic field components of the simulated bipole to the line of sight magnetic field observed by SOHO/MDI and the sign of helicity to the orientation of the soft X-ray sigmoids observed by Yohkoh/SXT. A large-scale and narrow current shell appears around the twisted flux tube in the dynamic phase of its expansion. This current shell is formed by the return currents of the system, which separate the twisted flux tube from the surrounding fields. It intensifies as the flux tube accelerates and it is co-spatial with weak plasma compression. The current density integrated over the altitude has the shape of an ellipse, which expands and rotates when viewed from above, reproducing the generic properties of propagating EIT waves. The timing, orientation, and location of bright and faint patches observed in the two EIT waves are remarkably well reproduced. We conjecture that propagating EIT waves are the observational signature of Joule heating in electric current shells, which separate expanding flux tubes from their surrounding fields during CMEs or plasma compression inside this current shell. We also conjecture that the bright edges of halo CMEs show the plasma compression in these current shells.     

Segmentation of Loops from Coronal EUV Images

We present a procedure to extract bright loop features from solar EUV images. In terms of image intensities, these features are elongated ridge-like intensity maxima. To discriminate the maxima, we need information about the spatial derivatives of the image intensity. Commonly, the derivative estimates are strongly affected by image noise. We therefore use a regularized estimation of the derivative, which is then used to interpolate a discrete vector field of ridge points; these “ridgels” are positioned on the ridge center and have the intrinsic orientation of the local ridge direction. A scheme is proposed to connect ridgels to smooth, spline-represented curves that fit the observed loops. Finally, a half-automated user interface allows one to merge or split curves or eliminate or select loop fits obtained from this procedure. In this paper we apply our tool to one of the first EUV images observed by the SECCHI instrument onboard the recently launched STEREO spacecraft. We compare the extracted loops with projected field lines computed from near-simultaneous magnetograms measured by the SOHO/MDI Doppler imager. The field lines were calculated by using a linear force-free field model. This comparison allows one to verify faint and spurious loop connections produced by our segmentation tool and it also helps to prove the quality of the magnetic-field model where well-identified loop structures comply with field-line projections. We also discuss further potential applications of our tool such as loop oscillations and stereoscopy.     

A Long-Term Decrease of the Mid-Size Segmentation Lengths Observed in the He <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">ii</Emphasis> (30.4 nm) Solar EUV Emission

Power spectra of segmentation-cell length (a dominant length scale of EUV emission in the transition region) from full-disk He?ii extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images observed by the Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) during periods of quiet-Sun conditions for a time interval from 1996 to 2015 were analyzed. The spatial power as a function of the spatial frequency from about 0.04 to 0.27 (EIT) or up to 0.48 (AIA) Mm^?1 depends on the distribution of the observed segmentation-cell dimensions – a structure of the solar EUV network. The temporal variations of the spatial power reported by Didkovsky and Gurman (Solar Phys. 289, 153, 2014) were suggested as decreases at the mid-spatial frequencies for the compared spectra when the power curves at the highest spatial frequencies of 0.5 pix^?1 were adjusted to match each other. This approach has been extended in this work to compare spectral ratios at high spatial frequencies expressed in the solar spatial frequency units of Mm^?1. A model of EIT and AIA spatial responses allowed us to directly compare spatial spectral ratios at high spatial frequencies for five years of joint operation of EIT and AIA, from 2010 to 2015. Based on this approach, we represent these ratio changes as a long-term network transformation that may be interpreted as a continuous dissipation of mid-size network structures to the smaller-size structures in the transition region. In contrast to expected cycling of the segmentation-cell dimension structures and associated spatial power in the spectra with the solar cycle, the spectra demonstrate a significant and steady change of the EUV network. The temporal trend across these structural spectra is not critically sensitive to any long-term instrumental changes, e.g. degradation of sensitivity, but to the change of the segmentation-cell dimensions of the EUV network structure.     

The Recovery of CME-Related Dimmings and the ICME’s Enduring Magnetic Connection to the Sun

It is generally accepted that transient coronal holes (TCHs, dimmings) correspond to the magnetic footpoints of CMEs that remain rooted in the Sun as the CME expands out into the interplanetary space. However, the observation that the average intensity of the 12 May 1997 dimmings recover to their pre-eruption intensity in SOHO/EIT data within 48 hours, whilst suprathermal unidirectional electron heat fluxes are observed at 1 AU in the related ICME more than 70 hours after the eruption, leads us to question why and how the dimmings disappear whilst the magnetic connectivity is maintained. We also examine two other CME-related dimming events: 13 May 2005 and 6 July 2006. We study the morphology of the dimmings and how they recover. We find that, far from exhibiting a uniform intensity, dimmings observed in SOHO/EIT data have a deep central core and a more shallow extended dimming area. The dimmings recover not only by shrinking of their outer boundaries but also by internal brightenings. We quantitatively demonstrate that the model developed by Fisk and Schwadron (Astrophys. J. 560, 425, 2001) of interchange reconnections between “open” magnetic field and small coronal loops is a strong candidate for the mechanism facilitating the recovery of the dimmings. This process disperses the concentration of  “open” magnetic field (forming the dimming) out into the surrounding quiet Sun, thus recovering the intensity of the dimmings whilst still maintaining the magnetic connectivity to the Sun. Electronic Supplementary Material  The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Quasi-Simultaneous Flux Emergence in the Events of October – November 2003

From late October to the beginning of November 2003, a series of intense solar eruptive events took place on the Sun. More than six active regions (ARs), including three large ARs (NOAA numbers AR 10484, AR 10486, and AR 10488), were involved in the activity. Among the six ARs, four of them bear obviously quasi-simultaneous emergence of magnetic flux. Based on the global Hα and SOHO/EIT EUV observations, we found that a very long filament channel went through the six ARs. This implies that there is a magnetic connection among these ARs. The idea of large-scale magnetic connectivity among the ARs is supported by the consistency of the same chirality in the three major ARs and in their associated magnetic clouds. Although the detailed mechanisms for the quasi-simultaneous flux emergence and the large-scale flux system formation need to be extensively investigated, the observations provide new clues in studying the global solar activity.     

2003年10月22日太阳活动区AR0484内日浪事件的研究

利用色球Hα、TRACE／WL、SOHO／EITEuV单色像观测资料及SOHO／MDI光球磁场观测资料，对2003年10月22日太阳活动区AR0484内发生的日浪事件进行了研究．发现：(1)在Ha线心观测上，日浪包含有亮、暗2个分量，这2个分量先后出现而且并不共空间．日浪的亮分量与UV和EUV波段上观测到的喷发具有较好的同时性和共空间性．(2)日浪喷发物质沿着EUV环运动。(3)在光球层，日浪足根处的黑子和磁场有明显的变化．这些观测结果支持日浪的磁重联模型。     

Very Large Array,SOHO, and RHESSI Observations of Magnetic Interactions and Particle Propagation across Large-Scale Coronal Loops

Very Large Array (VLA) observations at wavelengths of 20 and 91 cm have been combined with data from the SOHO and RHESSI solar missions to study the evolution of transequatorial loops connecting active regions on the solar surface. The radio observations provide information about the acceleration and propagation of energetic electrons in these large-scale coronal magnetic structures where energy release and transport take place. On one day, a long-lasting Type I noise storm at 91 cm was seen to intensify and shift position above the northern hemisphere region following an impulsive hard X-ray burst in the southern hemisphere footpoint region. VLA 20-cm observations as well as SOHO EIT EUV images showed evolving coronal plasma that appeared to move across the solar equator during this time period. This suggests that the transequatorial loop acted as a conduit for energetic particles or fields that may have triggered magnetic changes in the corona where the northern noise storm region was seen. On another day, a hard X-ray burst detected at the limb was accompanied by impulsive 20- and 91-cm burst emission along a loop connecting to an active region in the same hemisphere but about 5′ away, again suggesting particle propagation and remote flare triggering across interconnecting loops.     

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.