Yunchun Jiang

The Hα surges and EUV jets from magnetic flux emergences and cancellations

We analyzed multi-wavelength observations of three surges with a recurrent period of about 70 min in Ha, EUV, and soft X-ray, which occurred in the quiet-sun region on 2000 November 3. These homologous surges were associated with small flares at the same base, but their exact footpoints were spatially separated from the flare. Each surge consisted of a cool Ha component and a hot, EUV or soft X-ray component, which showed different evolutions not only in space but also in time. The EUV jets had slightly converging shapes, underwent more complicate development, showed clearly twisting structures, and appeared to open to space. The Ha surges, however, were smaller and only traced the edges of the jets. They always occurred later than the jets but had dark EUV counterparts appearing in the bright jets. These surge activities were closely associated with two emerging bipoles and their driven flux cancellations at the base region, and were consistent with the magnetic reconnection surge model. The possible cause of the delay between the surges and jets, of the dark structures in the jets are discussed, along with the possible role of flux cancellations in generation of these surges.

Rapid Sunspot Rotation Associated with the X2.2 Flare on 2011 February 15

We present observations of sunspot evolution associated with the first X-class flare of the present solar cycle 24, which occurred in AR 11158 on 2011 February 15. The active region consisted of four emerging bipoles that showed complicated sunspot motion. The preceding spot of a bipole underwent the fastest movement. It not only passed through the following end of another bipole, thus causing a shearing motion, but also merged with the same-polarity spots and formed a single, larger umbra. This led to the formation of a d configuration with an S-shaped neutral line, above which an extreme ultraviolet filament channel and a sigmoid formed and erupted to produce the flare. Along with the development of a clockwise (CW) spiral penumbra-filament pattern, the merged spot started rapid CW rotation around its umbral center 20 hr before the flare. The rotation persisted throughout the flare but stopped sharply about 1 hr after the flare ended, maintaining the twisted penumbra-filament pattern. The moving spot also caused continuous flux cancellation; in particular, its outer penumbra directly collided with small opposite-polarity spots only 100 minutes before the flare. When the shearing and rotational motions are main contributors to the energy buildup and helicity injection for the flare, the cancellation and collision might act as a trigger. Our observations support the idea that the rotation can be attributed to the emergence of twisted magnetic fields, as proposed in recent theories. Finally, the cause of its sudden halt is discussed.

Magnetic Interaction: A Transequatorial Jet and Interconnecting Loops

We present, to our knowledge for the first time, a rare observation of direct magnetic interaction between a transequatorial jet and interconnecting loops (IL) in the southern hemisphere. The jet originated from a flare and appeared to move outward along open field lines, but it passed so close to the IL that its edge met with one of the IL ends. As a result, the IL began to erupt, weak brightenings appeared at the meeting site, and a nearby dark feature was disturbed. After the eruption, in addition to a looplike dimming due to the disappearance of the IL, a dimming region was formed around its another end, which was very probably caused by the expansion or opening of its field lines and represented its evacuated feet. Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed within 2 hr in association with the event. One was related to the flare and the jet, while the other was due to the IL eruption. These observations suggest that a sole flare can not only trigger a CME but also simultaneously trigger an IL eruption by means of its interaction with a jet, so can lead to two interdependent CMEs, i. e., a sympathetic CME pair physically connected by the jet/IL interaction.

A MICRO CORONAL MASS EJECTION ASSOCIATED BLOWOUT EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET JET

The so-called mini coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were recently identified as small-scale eruptive events showing the same on-disk characteristics as large-scale CMEs, and Moore et al. further found that one-third of polar X-ray jets are the so-called blowout jets, in which the jet-base magnetic arch, often carrying a filament, undergoes a miniature version of the blowout eruptions that produce major CMEs. By means of the two viewpoint observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Ahead of Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO A), in this Letter, we present the first observations that a blowout jet from the eruption of an EUV mini-filament channel in the quiet Sun was indeed associated with a real micro-CME. Captured by the on-disk SDO observations, the whole life of the mini-filament channel, from the formation to eruption, was associated with convergences and cancellations of opposite-polarity magnetic flux in the photosphere, and its eruption was accompanied by a small flare-like brightening, a small corona dimming, and posteruptive loops. The near-limb counterpart of the eruption observed by STEREO A, however, showed up as a small EUV jet followed by a white-light jet. These observations not only confirm the previous results that mini-filaments have characteristics common to large-scale ones, but also give clear evidences that blowout jets can result from the eruptions of mini-filaments and are associated with mini-CME.

SYMPATHETIC FILAMENT ERUPTIONS CONNECTED BY CORONAL DIMMINGS

We present for the first time detailed observations of three successive, interdependent filament eruptions that occurred one by one within 5 hr from different locations beyond the range of a single active region. The first eruption was observed from an active region and was associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME), during which diffuse and complex coronal dimmings formed, largely extending to the two other filaments located in quiet-Sun regions. Then, both quiescent filaments consecutively underwent the second and third eruptions, while the nearby dimmings were persistent. Comparing the result of a derived coronal magnetic configuration, the magnetic connectivity between the dimmings suggested that they were caused by the joint effect of simple expansion of overlying loop systems forced by the first eruption, as well as by its erupting field interacting or reconnecting with the surrounding magnetic structures. Note that the dimming process in the first eruption indicated a weakening and partial removal of an overlying magnetic field constraint on the two other filaments, and thus one can physically connect these eruptions as sympathetic. It appears that the peculiar magnetic field configuration in our event was largely favorable to the occurrence of sympathetic filament eruptions. Because coronal dimmings are frequent and common phenomena in solar eruptions, especially in CME events, it is very likely that they represent a universal agent that can link consecutive eruptions nearby with sympathetic eruptions.

Sympathetic Filament Eruptions from a Bipolar Helmet Streamer in the Sun

On 2005 August 5, two solar filaments erupted successively from different confined arcades underlying a common overarching multiple-arcade bipolar helmet streamer. We present detailed observations of these two events and identify them as sympathetic filament eruptions. The first (F1) is a small active-region filament located near the outskirts of the streamer arcade. It underwent a nonradial eruption, initially moving in the interior of the streamer arcade and resulting in an over-and-out coronal mass ejection. The second filament (F2), a larger quiescent one far away from F1, was clearly disturbed during the F1 eruption. It then underwent a very slow eruption and finally disappeared completely and permanently. Because two belt-shaped diffuse dimmings formed along the footprints of the streamer arcade in the first eruption and persisted throughout the complete disappearance of F2, the eruption series are interpreted as sympathetic: the simple expansion of the common streamer arcade forced by the F1 eruption weakened magnetic flux overlying F2 and thus led to its slow eruption, with the dimming formation indicating their physical connection. Our observations suggest that multiple-arcade bipolar helmet-streamer configurations are appropriate to producing sympathetic eruptions. Combined with the recent observations of unipolar-streamer sympathetic events, it appears that a multiple-arcade unipolar or bipolar helmet streamer can serve as a common magnetic configuration for sympathetic eruptions.

Observations of H-alpha surges and ultraviolet jets above satellite sunspots

Aims To know more about the physical origin of surges and jets, we investigated seven successive surge events, which occurred above the satellite sunspots of active region NOAA 10720 on 2005 January 15. Methods. Using data from the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE), Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), we present a detailed study of the surges and their relations with the associated small arch filament, UV jets, flares and photospheric longitudinal magnetic fields. Results. The seven H-alpha surges we studied repeatedly occurred where the photospheric longitudinal fluxes of opposite magnetic polarities emerged, converged and were canceled by each other. Correspondingly, a small satellite spot emerged, decayed and disappeared during a period of about 2 hours in the white-light observations. In morphology, all surges displayed almost linear ejective structures. Their dynamic properties, such as the transverse velocity, projected maximum length and lifetime, varied in wide ranges. They are 30 -200 km s(-1), 38 000-220 000 km and from several to tens of minutes, respectively. Correspondingly, the intensities of their correlated microflares were different too. The surges of major velocities or maximum lengths seemed to be accompanied by processes of more energy release. Prior to these surge events, a small H-alpha arch filament connecting the opposite flux elements was found at the base region. Instead of erupting completely, it gradually disappeared during the surges. Its role in the surge activities is very like a bipolar flux, which contained the cool plasma and reconnected with the ambient magnetic fields. In 1600 angstrom, three surge events exhibited the composite structures of bright jets and nearby small flaring loops, which provides direct evidence of magnetic reconnection origin of the surges. A careful comparison revealed that the ends of the arch filament, the UV jets and the small flaring loops just corresponded to the interacting longitudinal fluxes in the photosphere. Conclusions. These observational results support the magnetic reconnection model of surges and jets.Aims. To know more about the physical origin of surges and jets, we investigated seven successive surge events, which occurred above the satellite sunspots of active region NOAA 10720 on 2005 January 15. Methods. Using data from the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE), Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), we present a detailed study of the surges and their relations with the associated small arch filament, UV jets, flares and photospheric longitudinal magnetic fields. Results. The seven Hα surges we studied repeatedly occurred where the photospheric longitudinal fluxes of opposite magnetic polarities emerged, converged and were canceled by each other. Correspondingly, a small satellite spot emerged, decayed and disappeared during a period of about 2 hours in the white-light observations. In morphology, all surges displayed almost linear ejective structures. Their dynamic properties, such as the transverse velocity, projected maximum length and lifetime, varied in wide ranges. They are 30–200 km s −1 , 38 000–220 000 km and from several to tens of minutes, respectively. Correspondingly, the intensities of their correlated microflares were different too. The surges of major velocities or maximum lengths seemed to be accompanied by processes of more energy release. Prior to these surge events, a small Hα arch filament connecting the opposite flux elements was found at the base region. Instead of erupting completely, it gradually disappeared during the surges. Its role in the surge activities is very like a bipolar flux, which contained the cool plasma and reconnected with the ambient magnetic fields. In 1600 A, three surge events exhibited the composite structures of bright jets and nearby small flaring loops, which provides direct evidence of magnetic reconnection origin of the surges. A careful comparison revealed that the ends of the arch filament, the UV jets and the small flaring loops just corresponded to the interacting longitudinal fluxes in the photosphere. Conclusions. These observational results support the magnetic reconnection model of surges and jets.

Coronal and chromospheric dimmings during a halo-type CME event

We present complementary solar observations of a filament eruption occurring in association with a halo-type coronal mass ejection ( CME) on 2006 July 6 in AR 10898. This eruption was followed by an M2.5 flare and has led to the formation of a pair of dimmings, observed in H alpha, over network patterns in regions of opposite magnetic polarities located near the ends of the eruptive filament. These dimmings, also clearly visible in He I 10830 angstrom, EUV, and soft X-rays, were preceded by distinct H alpha and EUV brightenings that first mark the dimming sites during the rise phase of the flare and then form bright edges, observable in EUV, around the growing dim regions. These dimmings have been attributed to a magnetic flux rope that is considered the origin of the CME as proposed in recent theories. The brightenings reported here are a new aspect of the CME hydromagnetic process that has not been included in existing theories. The roles and implications of the network patterns, brightenings, and sharp edges in the dimming evolutions are discussed.

Filament activity and photospheric magnetic evolution related to flares

Three succcssive activations of all active-region filament were observed over a period of eight hours. Each disturbance showed distinctive characteristics and was followed by a flare of different properties. The filament had one end rooted in strong delta -sunspots. During the first activation, the filament rose up at the rooting end and detached from the delta -sunspots while its main body remained in place and separated into two twisted threads. During the second activation, only one thread a as disturbed and finally disappeared; twisted threads, however, appeared during the third activation. The evolution of photospheric magnetic fields, associated with the filament disturbances. Was characterized by squeezing and shearing of delta -sunspots, flux cancellation and emergence beneath the two ends of the filaments. Our data suggests that magnetic reconnection in the photospheric layer is the likely cause of filament destabilisation. cause of filament destabilisation.

Solar filament material oscillations and drainage before eruption

Both large-amplitude longitudinal (LAL) oscillations and material drainage in a solar filament are associated with the flow of material along the filament axis, often followed by an eruption. However, the relationship between these two motions and a subsequent eruption event is poorly understood. We analyze a filament eruption using EUV imaging data captured by the Atmospheric Imaging Array on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Ha images from the Global Oscillation Network Group. Hours before the eruption, the filament was activated, with one of its legs undergoing a slow rising motion. The asymmetric activation inclined the filament relative to the solar surface. After the active phase, LAL oscillations were observed in the inclined filament. The oscillation period increased slightly over time, which may suggest that the magnetic fields supporting the filament evolve to be flatter during the slow rising phase. After the oscillations, a significant amount of filament material was drained toward one filament endpoint, followed immediately by the violent eruption of the filament. The material drainage may further support the change in magnetic topology prior to the eruption. Moreover, we suggest that the filament material drainage could play a role in the transition from a slow to a fast rise of the erupting filament.