B-class Flares Research Articles

Multiwavelength Observations of a B-class Flare Using XSM, AIA, and XRT

We present multiwavelength observations by Chandrayaan-2/Solar X-ray Monitor, Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, and Hinode/X-Ray Telescope (XRT) of a B-class flare observed on 2021 February 25, originating from an active region (AR 12804) near the northwest limb. The microflare lasts for ∼30 minutes and is composed of hot loops reaching temperatures of 10 MK. We report excellent agreement (within 20%) for the average effective temperatures obtained at the flare peak from all the three instruments, which have different temperature sensitivities. The XRT filter combination of Be-thin and Be-med provides an excellent opportunity to measure the high temperatures in such microflare events. The elemental abundances during the evolution of the microflare are also studied and observed to drop toward photospheric values at the flare peak time, compared to coronal values during the rise and decay phase. This is consistent with previous XSM studies.

Intensity and velocity oscillations in a flaring active region

ABSTRACT Chromospheric oscillations can give us insight into the physical environment in the solar atmosphere, both in quiet Sun and flaring conditions. Many authors have reported increases in the prevalence of 3-minute oscillations which are thought to be excited by events which impact the chromosphere such as flares. In this study, we utilized the Ca ii 8542 Å line to study the oscillatory behaviour of the chromosphere in an active region which underwent two B-class flares. We analysed oscillations in both intensity and velocity, and found different behaviours in both. Intensity oscillations were most prevalent over the umbrae of sunspots and magnetic pores in the active region, and the extent of the area which contained significant oscillations was found to decrease when comparing times after the flares to before. By measuring the evolution of the magnetic field, we found that this could be because the areas surrounding the umbrae were becoming more ‘penumbral’ with an increase to the magnetic field inclination. Velocity oscillations were found across the active region both before and after the flares but were observed clearly in areas which were brightened by the second flare. By comparing to EUV imaging, it was seen that strong chromospheric velocity oscillations with 3–4-minute periods occurred at the same time and location as a flare loop cooling 30 min after the second flare peak. This could be evidence of disturbances in the loop exciting a response from the chromosphere at its acoustic cut-off frequency.

Evolutionary Relationship between Sunspot Groups and Soft X-Ray Flares over Solar Cycles 21–25

Studying the interaction between solar flares and sunspot groups (SGs) is crucial for understanding and predicting solar activity. We examined the distribution, correlation, and flaring rates in the northern and southern hemispheres to reveal the relationship between different classes of soft X-ray (SXR) flares and different magnetic classifications of SGs. We discovered a significant north–south asymmetry in SXR flares and SG distribution over Solar Cycles (SC) 21–25. In the rising phase of SC24, the northern hemisphere’s activity is significantly excessive. In the declining phase of SC24, the southern hemisphere’s activity becomes significantly excessive. The total numbers of various SXR flares and SGs vary between the northern and southern hemispheres over the solar cycle. B-class flares are negatively correlated with all SGs at maximum but positively correlated at minimum. C-class flares correlate best with α and β SGs. M-class flares correlate best with β γ δ and β SGs. X-class flares correlate highest with β γ δ SGs. The flaring rate of each flare class is lowest for α SGs and highest for β γ δ SGs. The flaring rates are higher in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere. Our results demonstrate that solar flares originate from different sources of solar active regions; the high-energy flares tend to be caused by more complex magnetic fields.

The Impulsive Acceleration of a Solar Filament Eruption Associated with a B-class Flare

The eruption of magnetic flux ropes (MFRs), often taking filaments together, leads to coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Theoretical studies propose that both the resistive magnetic reconnection and the ideal instability of an MFR system can release magnetic-free energy and accelerate CMEs (i.e., MFRs or filaments) during eruptions. Observations find that the full kinematic evolution of CMEs usually undergoes three phases: the initiation phase, impulsive acceleration phase, and propagation phase. The impulsive acceleration phase often starts and ceases simultaneously with the flare onset time and peak time, respectively. This synchronization can be explained by the positive feedback relationship between the acceleration of CMEs and flare magnetic reconnection, and suggests that the reconnection has the dominant contribution to the acceleration of CMEs. It is rare to see strong evidence that supports the dominant contribution of ideal instability to the acceleration. In this paper, we report an intriguing filament eruption that occurred on 2011 May 11. Its complete acceleration is well recorded by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The kinematic analysis shows that the impulsive acceleration phase starts and ceases obviously earlier than the flare onset time and peak time, respectively, which means a complete asynchronization between the impulsive acceleration phase and flare rise phase, and strongly supports that the ideal instability plays a dominant role in this impulsive acceleration. Furthermore, the accompanied flare is a B-class one, also implying that the contribution of reconnection is negligible in the energy release process.

Repeated Type III Burst Groups Associated with a B-Class Flare and a Narrow-Width CME

We have analysed a solar event from 27 September 2021, which included a small GOES B-class flare, a compact and narrow-width CME, and radio type III bursts that appeared in groups. The long-duration, repeated metric type III burst emission indicates continuous electron acceleration at high altitudes. The flaring active region was surrounded by strong magnetic fields and large-scale loops, which guided the outflow of the CME plasmoid and hence the narrow, bullet-like appearance of the CME. Radio imaging and EUV observations confirmed the direction of particle propagation and the depletion of matter from the solar source region. We observed V-shaped type III burst emission lanes, which also explain the field configuration and suggest a possible location for repeated reconnection that occurred at a constant altitude.

Lyα Emission Enhancement Associated with Soft X-Ray Microflares

Lyα (Lyα, 1216 Å) is the strongest emission line in the solar ultraviolet spectrum. In the present work, we obtained a Lyα enhancement catalog covering flares larger than B1 class from the GOES/EUVS data during 2010–2016. We focused on the 242 B-class events which are less investigated, however, show non-negligible Lyα emission enhancement. We found that on average the Lyα peak of B-class flares is 0.85% stronger than the background. For the flare energetics, it is found that the weaker the soft X-ray (SXR) flare, the larger the ratio of the radiated energy in Lyα to SXR. Using the RHESSI data and multi-wavelength observations taken by SDO-AIA, we diagnose the thermal and non-thermal properties of several flares. Three case studies show that the coincidence of the Lyα peak with the SXR time-derivative peak is not a sufficient condition of the nonthermal property of a Lyα microflare. The Lyα enhancement in the microflares may be caused by the nonthermal electron beams or/and thermal conduction. However for type III events, we found that the delay of the Lyα peak with respect to the SXR peak can be attributed to either the Lyα emission from a filament erupted or the cooling of the thermal plasma in flare loops. Furthermore, interestingly the Lyα emission from filaments can not only occur in the decay phase of the flare, but also in the pre-flare phase. In this case, the Lyα emission was originated from an erupted filament which probably initiated the flare.

Feature Identification and Statistical Characteristics of Quasi-periodic Pulsation in Solar Flares using the Markov-Chain-Monte-Carlo Approach

Quasi-periodic pulsation (QPP) is a common phenomenon in solar flares. Studying QPP is important to further our understanding of the physical processes operating in flares. However, detection of QPP is complicated by the presence of noise in flaring lightcurves. In this study, we apply the Bayesian-based Markov-Chain-Monte-Carlo (MCMC) technique to the QPP detection. We use MCMC to fit the Fourier power spectral density (PSD) profiles of flaring lightcurves, aiming to determine a quasi-periodic component by model comparison and test statistics. Two models fitting the PSD were compared: the first model consists of colored and white noise only, and the second model adds a spectral peak of a Gaussian shape representing a short-living oscillatory signal. To evaluate MCMC of the QPP detection, we test it on 100 synthetic signals with spectral properties similar to those observed in flares. Subsequently, we analyzed QPP events in 699 flare signals in the 1–8 Å channel recorded by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite from 2010 to 2017, including 250 B-class, 250 C-class, 150 M-class, and 49 X-class flares. Approximately 57% X-class, 39% M-class, 20% C-class, and 16% B-class flares are found to show a strong evidence of QPP, whose periods range mainly from 6.2 to 75.3 s. The results demonstrate that QPP events are easier to detect in more powerful flares. The distribution of the detected QPP periods is found to follow a logarithmic normal distribution. The distributions in the four flare classes are similar. This suggests that the established distribution is a common feature for flares of different classes.

Comparative case study of two methods to assess the eruptive potential of selected active regions

Solar eruptive events, like flares and coronal mass ejections, are characterized by the rapid release of energy that can give rise to emission of radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum and to an abrupt significant increase in the kinetic energy of particles. These energetic phenomena can have important effects on the space weather conditions and therefore it is necessary to understand their origin, in particular, what is the eruptive potential of an active region (AR). In these case studies, we compare two distinct methods that were used in previous works to investigate the variations of some characteristic physical parameters during the pre-flare states of flaring ARs. These methods consider: i) the magnetic flux evolution and magnetic helicity accumulation, and ii) the fractal and multi-fractal properties of flux concentrations in ARs. Our comparative analysisis based on time series of photospheric data obtained bythe Solar Dynamics Observatory between March 2011 and June 2013. We selected two distinct samples of ARs: one is distinguished by the occurrence of more energetic M- and X-class flare events, that may have a rapid effect on not just the near-Earth space, but also on the terrestrial environment; the second is characterized by no-flares or having just a few C- and B-class flares. We foundthat the two tested methods complement each other in their ability to assess the eruptive potentials of ARs and could be employed to identify ARs prone to flaring activity. Based on the presented case study, we suggest that using a combination of different methods may aid to identify more reliably the eruptive potentials of ARs and help to better understand the pre-flare states.

Evolution of Elemental Abundances during B-Class Solar Flares: Soft X-Ray Spectral Measurements with Chandrayaan-2 XSM

Abstract The Solar X-ray Monitor (XSM) payload on board Chandrayaan-2 provides disk-integrated solar spectra in the 1–15 keV energy range with an energy resolution of 180 eV (at 5.9 keV) and a cadence of 1 s. During the period from 2019 September to 2020 May, covering the minimum of Solar Cycle 24, it observed nine B-class flares ranging from B1.3 to B4.5. Using time-resolved spectroscopic analysis during these flares, we examined the evolution of temperature, emission measure, and absolute elemental abundances of four elements–Mg, Al, Si, and S. These are the first measurements of absolute abundances during such small flares and this study offers a unique insight into the evolution of absolute abundances as the flares evolve. Our results demonstrate that the abundances of these four elements decrease toward their photospheric values during the peak phase of the flares. During the decay phase, the abundances are observed to quickly return to their preflare coronal values. The depletion of elemental abundances during the flares is consistent with the standard flare model, suggesting the injection of fresh material into coronal loops as a result of chromospheric evaporation. To explain the quick recovery of the so-called coronal “First Ionization Potential bias” we propose two scenarios based on the Ponderomotive force model.

Using Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) Data for Solar Flare Predictions

Predicting where and when space weather events such as solar flares and X-rays bursts are likely to occur in a specific area of interest constitutes a significant challenge in space weather research. Space weather scientists are, therefore, gradually exploring multivariate data analysis techniques from the fields of data mining or machine learning in order to approximate future occurrences of space weather events from past distribution patterns. As solar flares emit extreme ultraviolet and X-ray radiation, which leads to ionization effect in different layers of the ionosphere, most recent works related to solar flare predictions using machine learning (ML) techniques, focused on X-ray time series predictions. Here, we suggest using support vector machine for classifying subdaily and diurnal total electron content (TEC) spatial changes prior to solar flare events, in order to assess the possibility of predicting B, C, M, and X-class solar flare events. This is done as opposed to predicting TEC time series using ML techniques. The predictions are estimated up to three days before each tested class events, along with different skill scores such as precision, recall, Heidke skill score (HSS), accuracy, and true skill statistics. The results indicate that the suggested approach has the ability to predict solar flare events of X and M-class 24 h prior to their occurrence with 91% and 76% HSS skill scores, respectively, which improves over most recent related works. However, for the small-size C and B-class flares, the suggested approach does not succeed in producing similar promising results.

Dynamics Evolution of a Solar Active-region Filament from a Quasi-static State to Eruption: Rolling Motion, Untwisting Motion, Material Transfer, and Chirality

Abstract To better understand the magnetic structure and eruptive process of solar filaments, a solar active-region filament (labeled F2) eruption associated with a B-class flare was investigated by using high-resolution Hα data from the 1 m New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST), combined with EUV observations of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The filament F2 was disturbed by another filament (labeled F1) eruption that experienced a whip-like motion. Before the filament F2 eruption, the Dopplergrams show that the southern and the northern parts of the filament F2 body exhibit blueshift and redshift along the filament spine, simultaneously. This implies that the filament F2 was rolling from one side to the other. During the filament F2 eruption, the Doppler shifts of the filament body are opposite of those before its eruption. This demonstrates that the filament body exhibits an untwisting motion, which can also be identified by tracing the movement of the eruptive filament threads. Moreover, it is found that the material of the filament F2 was transferred to the surrounding magnetic field loops, which is caused by magnetic reconnection between the filament F2 and the surrounding magnetic loops. According to the right-bearing threads of the filament F2 before its eruption, it can be deduced that the filament F2 is initially supported by a sheared arcade. The following observations reveal that the twisted magnetic structure of filament F2 formed in the eruption phase.

Bivariate Number Distribution of Solar Soft X-Ray Flares

Abstract Conventionally, researchers investigated the number distribution of solar flares by univariate analysis using all available data. For the first time, we investigate the bivariate number distribution of peak flux (f) and duration (T) of soft X-ray flares observed by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite during the past 10 years. First, the univariate number distribution of f is found to obey a power law either for each class of flares or for the B or ≥C flares in a certain range of T. But the power-law index of B-class flares is much smaller than those of other higher-class ones. For the ≥C flares, the longer the duration, the smaller the power-law index. The univariate number distribution of T deviates from the power law at shorter durations and is better fitted by a skewed Gaussian function in logarithmic coordinates for almost any given range of f, reflecting the random phenomena in solar flares. Then, based on the univariate analysis, a linear Gaussian function is proposed to describe the bivariate logarithmic number distribution of f and T, from which the local power-law index with respect to either f or T can also be analyzed. The real number distribution of B flares should be in between the observed one and the power-law distribution of stronger flares (≥C). We suggest that nanoflare activity may not be the dominant source of coronal heating.

Two Successive Type II Radio Bursts Associated With B-Class Flares and Slow CMEs

From 2018 Oct 12 to 13, three successive solar eruptions (E1--E3) with B-class flares and poor white light coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occurred from the same active region NOAA AR 12724. Interestingly, the first two eruptions are associated with Type II radio bursts but the third is not. Using the soft X-ray flux data, radio dynamic spectra and dual perspective EUV intensity images, we comparatively investigate the three events. Our results show that their relevant flares are weak (B2.1, B7.9 and B2.3) and short-lived (13, 9 and 14 minutes). The main eruption directions of E1 and E2 are along $\sim$45$^\circ$ north of their radial directions, while E3 primarily propagated along the radial direction. In the EUV channels, the early speeds of the first two CMEs have apparent speeds of $\sim$320 km s$^{-1}$ and $\sim$380 km s$^{-1}$, which could exceed their respective local Alfv$\acute{e}$n speeds of $\sim$300 km s$^{-1}$ and $\sim$350 km s$^{-1}$. However, the CME in the third eruption possesses a much lower speed of $\sim$160 km s$^{-1}$. These results suggest that the observed Type II radio bursts in the eruptions E1 and E2 are likely triggered by their associated CMEs and the direction of eruption and the ambient plasma and magnetic environments may take an important place in producing Type II radio burst or shock as well.

Penumbral Brightening Events Observed in AR NOAA 12546

Penumbral transient brightening events have been attributed to magnetic reconnection episodes occurring in the low corona. We investigated the trigger mechanism of these events in active region NOAA 12546 by using multi-wavelength observations obtained with the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer (IBIS), by the \textit{Solar Dynamics Observatory} (SDO), the \textit{Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph} (IRIS), and the \textit{Hinode} satellites. We focused on the evolution of an area of the penumbra adjacent to two small-scale emerging flux regions (EFRs), which manifested three brightening events detected from the chromosphere to the corona. Two of these events correspond to B-class flares. The same region showed short-lived moving magnetic features (MMFs) that streamed out from the penumbra. In the photosphere, the EFRs led to small-scale penumbral changes associated with a counter-Evershed flow and to a reconfiguration of the magnetic fields in the moat. The brightening events had one of the footpoints embedded in the penumbra and seemed to result from the distinctive interplay between the pre-existing penumbral fields, MMFs, and the EFRs. The \textit{IRIS} spectra measured therein reveal enhanced temperature and asymmetries in spectral lines, suggestive of event triggering at different height in the atmosphere. Specifically, the blue asymmetry noted in \ion{C}{2} and \ion{Mg}{2} h\&k lines suggests the occurrence of chromospheric evaporation at the footpoint located in the penumbra as a consequence of magnetic reconnection process at higher atmospheric heigths.

Statistical Properties of Soft X-Ray Emission of Solar Flares

Abstract We present a statistical analysis of properties of Soft X-Ray (SXR) emission, plasma temperature (T), and emission measure (EM), derived from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite observations of flares in 2002–2017. The temperature and EMs are obtained using the Temperature and EM-based Background Subtraction algorithm, which delivers reliable results together with uncertainties even for weak B-class flare events. More than 96% of flares demonstrate a sequential appearance of T, SXR, and EM maxima, in agreement with the expected behavior of the chromospheric evaporation process. The relative number of such flares increases with increasing the SXR flux maximum. The SXR maximum is closer in time to the T maximum for B-class flares than for ≥C-class flares, while it is very close to the EM maximum for M- and X-class flares. We define flares as “T-controlled” if the time interval between the SXR and T maxima is at least two times shorter than the interval between the EM and SXR maxima, and as “EM-controlled” if the time interval between the EM and SXR maxima is at least two times shorter than the interval between the SXR and T maxima. For any considered flare class range, the T-controlled events compared to EM-controlled events have: (a) higher EM but lower T; (b) longer durations and shorter relative growth times; and (c) longer FWHM and characteristic decay times. Interpretation of these statistical results based on analysis of a single loop dynamics suggests that for flares of the same class range, the T-controlled events can be developed in longer loops than the EM-controlled events.

Investigation of White-light Emission in Circular-ribbon Flares

Abstract Using observations by the Solar Dynamics Observatory from 2010 June to 2017 December, we have performed the first statistical investigation of circular-ribbon flares (CFs) and examined the white-light emission in them. We find 90 CFs occurring in 36 active regions (ARs), including eight X-class, 34 M-class, and 48 C- and B-class flares. The occurrence rate of white-light flares (WLFs) is 100% (8/8) for X-class CFs, ∼62% (21/34) for M-class CFs, and ∼8% (4/48) for C- and B-class CFs. Sometimes we observe several CFs in a single AR, and nearly all of them are WLFs. Compared to normal CFs, those with white-light enhancement tend to have a shorter duration, smaller size, stronger electric current and more complicated magnetic field. We find that for X-class WLFs, the white-light enhancement is positively correlated with the flare class, implying that it is largely determined by the amount of released energy. However, there is no such correlation for M- and C-class WLFs, suggesting that other factors such as the timescale, spatial scale, and magnetic field complexity may play important roles in the generation of white-light emission if the released energy is not high enough.

A Statistical Study of Photospheric Magnetic Field Changes During 75 Solar Flares

Abstract Abrupt and permanent changes of photospheric magnetic fields have been observed during solar flares. The changes seem to be linked to the reconfiguration of magnetic fields, but their origin is still unclear. We carried out a statistical analysis of permanent line-of-sight magnetic field ( ) changes during 18 X-, 37 M-, 19 C-, and 1 B-class flares using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager. We investigated the properties of permanent changes, such as frequency, areas, and locations. We detected changes of in 59/75 flares. We find that strong flares are more likely to show changes, with all flares ≥M1.6 exhibiting them. For weaker flares, permanent changes are observed in 6/17 C-flares. 34.3% of the permanent changes occurred in the penumbra and 18.9% in the umbra. Parts of the penumbra appeared or disappeared in 23/75 flares. The area where permanent changes occur is larger for stronger flares. Strong flares also show a larger change of flux, but there is no dependence of the magnetic flux change on the heliocentric angle. The mean rate of change of flare-related magnetic field changes is 20.7 Mx cm−2 min−1. The number of permanent changes decays exponentially with distance from the polarity inversion line. The frequency of the strength of permanent changes decreases exponentially, and permanent changes up to 750 Mx cm−2 were observed. We conclude that permanent magnetic field changes are a common phenomenon during flares, and future studies will clarify their relation to accelerated electrons, white-light emission, and sunquakes to further investigate their origin.

The curious temporal behavior of the frequency of different class flares

We investigate the frequency of all (X-ray flare events higher than class B1.0), B, C, M and X-class flares, respectively, derived from the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) list of solar flares between May 1983 and September 2014, which corresponds to the two complete solar cycles (SCs) 22 and 23 as well as the rise and maximum phases of SC 24. Analysis shows that the temporal behavior for these various class flares is quite different. The main findings of this study, confirmed by using the Hinode flare catalog where possible, are as follows. (1) The B-class flares are in complete antiphase with all, C, M and X-class flares. (2) While, there is a small decreasing trend in the peak values of the smoothed monthly C-class flare numbers from SC 22 to 24, the occurrence rate of M and X-class flares dropped by almost half and two-thirds, respectively, during SC 23 and remained almost the same during SC 24. This class-dependent temporal behavior provides support for dynamo models that involve the coexistence of a deep global and a superficial local dynamo.

Using the maximum X-ray flux ratio and X-ray background to predict solar flare class

We present the discovery of a relationship between the maximum ratio of the flare flux (namely, 0.5-4 Ang to the 1-8 Ang flux) and non-flare background (namely, the 1-8 Ang background flux), which clearly separates flares into classes by peak flux level. We established this relationship based on an analysis of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) X-ray observations of ~ 50,000 X, M, C, and B flares derived from the NOAA/SWPC flares catalog. Employing a combination of machine learning techniques (K-nearest neighbors and nearest-centroid algorithms) we show a separation of the observed parameters for the different peak flaring energies. This analysis is validated by successfully predicting the flare classes for 100% of the X-class flares, 76% of the M-class flares, 80% of the C-class flares and 81% of the B-class flares for solar cycle 24, based on the training of the parametric extracts for solar flares in cycles 22-23.

UNWINDING MOTION OF A TWISTED ACTIVE REGION FILAMENT

To better understand the structures of active-region filaments and the eruption process, we study an active-region filament eruption in active region NOAA 11082 in detail on June 22, 2010. Before the filament eruption, the opposite unidirectional material flows appeared in succession along the spine of the filament. The rising of the filament triggered two B-class flares at the upper part of the filament. As the bright material was injected into the filament from the sites of the flares, the filament exhibited a rapid uplift accompanying the counterclockwise rotation of the filament body. From the expansion of the filament, we can see that the filament is consisted of twisted magnetic field lines. The total twist of the filament is at least 5$\pi$ obtained by using time slice method. According to the morphology change during the filament eruption, it is found that the active-region filament was a twisted flux rope and its unwinding motion was like a solar tornado. We also find that there was a continuous magnetic helicity injection before and during the filament eruption. It is confirmed that magnetic helicity can be transferred from the photosphere to the filament. Using the extrapolated potential fields, the average decay index of the background magnetic fields over the filament is 0.91. Consequently, these findings imply that the mechanism of solar filament eruption could be due to the kink instability and magnetic helicity accumulation.