Large-scale dimmings produced by solar coronal mass ejections according to SOHO/EIT data in four EUV lines

Abstract

SOHO/EIT data are used to analyze dimmings, or transient coronal holes (regions of reduced soft-X-ray and EUV emission), which are observed on the solar disk after halo-type coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Simultaneous observations in the 171 A FeIX/X, 195 A FeXII, and 284 A FeIX coronal lines, which are sensitive to temperatures of T e ≈1.2, 1.5, and 2.0 MK, respectively, are considered, together with the 304 A HeII transition-region line (T e ≈(0.02–0.08) MK). Difference images taken at intervals of six and twelve hours and compensated for solar rotation indicate that dimmings are normally strongly pronounced and have similar large-scale structures in the moderate-excitation-temperature 171 A and 195 A coronal lines, while the higher-temperature 284 A line mainly display the deepest portions of the dimmings. In addition, clear dimmings with relatively small areas are visible in the 304 A transition-region line during many CMEs, in particular, in regions adjacent to the source of the eruption. Moreover, dimmings in the transition region without coronal counterparts are observed during some events. These results suggest that the opening of magnetic-field lines and the resulting density reduction that occur during a CME can also involve cold plasma of the transition region. In addition, the effects of temperature variations cannot be ruled out for some dimming structures.