Analysis of Magnetic Nonpotentiality in the Flaring Active Region NOAA 12887

Abstract

Solar flares are explosive events resulting from the release of stored magnetic energy in active regions. In this study, the Spaceweather Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager Active Region Patch (SHARP) data is utilized to extract nonpotential magnetic parameters of the NOAA 12887 active region, which produced an X1.0 class flare in October 2021. The analysis revealed that the electric current became non-neutral and unstable before the X-class flare due to an increase in the shear angle, exceeding 90 degrees through a collision of positive and negative polarities. We also assessed the magnetic nonpotentiality parameters, including free energy, vertical current, current helicity, and current neutrality. At the beginning, the parameters exhibited elevated values, reflecting the complex nature of the active region. Subsequently, it became even more complex following the collision event. Flare Ribbons and filaments were also observed by the AIA/SDO 1600 Å and 304Å images on this phase. However, the overall complexity decreased over time, with temporary increases after the collision event and subsequent flares. The development of new complex areas outside the collision zone had a lesser impact on the parameter values. The current neutrality value increased after the collision, implying an increasingly unstable region, but sharply decreased after the X-class flare, indicating a return to a more stable state for the active region.