Configuration and gradual dynamics of prominence-related X-ray coronal cavities

We have analyzed X-ray images of the solar corona obtained by the S-054 telescope on Skylab, together with H filtergrams from the Catania Astrophysical Observatory and EUV and magnetic data, to study the morphology and the evolution of the coronal structures associated with prominences (coronal cavities).X-ray cavities are associated with prominences and are enclosed by series of loops of hot plasma typically higher than 5 × 10⁹ cm. Helmet streamers can be observed only at very large heights (> 1 solar radius). The cavities show a higher luminosity when prominences have temporarily disappeared. The density in one of these X-ray cavities ( 3 × 10⁸cm^–3) is insufficient to allow formation of dense ( 10¹¹ cm^–3) prominences by local condensation from the corona.Prominences associated with young (up to three solar rotations) and old (greater than eight) magnetic neutral lines are significantly less stable than those associated with middle-aged neutral lines. Downward bending of the top of the inner magnetic loop, necessary in some models of prominences, is not detected in these X-ray observations. The relevance of these results to models of prominence formation is discussed.Presently at Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Firenze, Italy.