Observations of a Flare-ignited Broad Quasiperiodic Fast-propagating Wave Train

Abstract

Large-scale extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) waves are frequently observed as an accompanying phenomenon of flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Previous studies mainly focused on EUV waves with single wave fronts that are generally thought to be driven by the lateral expansion of CMEs. Using high spatiotemporal resolution multi-angle imaging observations taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory, we present the observation of a broad quasiperiodic fast-propagating (QFP) wave train composed of multiple wave fronts along the solar surface during the rising phase of a GOES M3.5 flare on 2011 February 24. The wave train transmitted through a lunate coronal hole (CH) with a speed of ∼840 ± 67 km s−1, and the wave fronts showed an intriguing refraction effect when they passed through the boundaries of the CH. Due to the lunate shape of the CH, the transmitted wave fronts from the north and south arms of the CH started to approach each other and finally collided, leading to a significant intensity enhancement at the collision site. This enhancement might hint at the occurrence of interference between the two transmitted wave trains. The estimated magnetosonic Mach number of the wave train is about 1.13, which indicates that the observed wave train was a weak shock. Period analysis reveals that the period of the wave train was ∼90 s, in good agreement with that of the accompanying flare. Based on our analysis results, we conclude that the broad QFP wave train was a large-amplitude fast-mode magnetosonic wave or a weak shock driven by some nonlinear energy release processes in the accompanying flare.