Coronal Sigmoid Research Articles

Magnetic Helicity Signs and Flaring Propensity: Comparing the Force-free Parameter with the Helicity Signs of Hα Filaments and X-Ray Sigmoids

Sigmoids produce strong eruptive events. Earlier studies have shown that the ICME axial magnetic field Bz can be predicted with some credibility by observing the corresponding filament or the polarity inversion line in the region of eruption and deriving the magnetic field direction from that. Sigmoids are coronal structures often associated with filaments in the sigmoidal region. In this study, we compare filament chirality with sigmoid handedness to observe their correlation. Second, we perform nonlinear force-free approximations of the coronal magnetic connectivity using photospheric vector magnetograms underneath sigmoids to obtain a weighted-average value of the force-free parameter and to correlate it with filament chirality and the observed coronal sigmoid handedness. Importantly, we find that the sigmoids and their filament counterparts do not always have the same helicity signs. Production of eruptive events by regions that do not have the same signs of helicities is ∼3.5 times higher than when they do. A case study of magnetic energy/ helicity evolution in NOAA AR 12473 is also presented.

A Transient Coronal Sigmoid in Active Region NOAA 11909: Build-up Phase, M-class Eruptive Flare, and Associated Fast Coronal Mass Ejection

In this article, we investigate the formation and disruption of a coronal sigmoid from the active region (AR) NOAA 11909 on 07 December 2013, by analyzing multi-wavelength and multi-instrument observations. Our analysis suggests that the formation of the sigmoid initiated ≈ 1 hour before its eruption through a coupling between two twisted coronal loop systems. This sigmoid can be well regarded as of ‘transient’ class due to its short lifetime as the eruptive activities started just after ≈ 20 min of its formation. A comparison between coronal and photospheric images suggests that the coronal sigmoid was formed over a simple \(\beta \)-type AR which also possessed dispersed magnetic field structure in the photosphere. The line-of-sight photospheric magnetograms also reveal small-scale flux cancellation events near the polarity inversion line, and overall flux cancellation during the extended pre-eruption phase which suggest the role of tether-cutting reconnection toward the build-up of the flux rope. The disruption of the sigmoid proceeded with a two-ribbon eruptive M1.2 flare (SOL2013-12-07T07:29). In radio frequencies, we observe type III and type II bursts in meter wavelengths during the impulsive phase of the flare. The successful eruption of the flux rope leads to a fast coronal mass ejection (with a linear speed of ≈ 1085 km s−1) in SOHO/LASCO field-of-view. During the evolution of the flare, we clearly observe typical “sigmoid-to-arcade” transformation. Prior to the onset of the impulsive phase of the flare, flux rope undergoes a slow rise (≈ 15 km s−1) which subsequently transitions into a fast eruption (≈ 110 km s−1). The two-phase evolution of the flux rope shows temporal associations with the soft X-ray precursor and impulsive phase emissions of the M-class flare, respectively, thus pointing toward a feedback relationship between magnetic reconnection and early CME dynamics.

Two-Stage Evolution of an Extended C-Class Eruptive Flaring Activity from Sigmoid Active Region NOAA 12734: SDO and Udaipur-CALLISTO Observations

In this article, we present a multi-wavelength investigation of a C-class flaring activity that occurred in the active region NOAA 12734 on 8 March 2019. The investigation utilizes data from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Udaipur-CALLISTO solar radio spectrograph of the Physical Research Laboratory. This low intensity C1.3 event is characterized by typical features of a long-duration event (LDE), viz. extended flare arcade, large-scale two-ribbon structures and twin coronal dimmings. The eruptive event occurred in a coronal sigmoid and displayed two distinct stages of energy release, manifested in terms of temporal and spatial evolution. The formation of twin-dimming regions are consistent with the eruption of a large flux rope with footpoints lying in the western and eastern edges of the coronal sigmoid. The metric radio observations obtained from Udaipur-CALLISTO reveals a broad-band ( $\approx50\,\text{--}\,180~\text{MHz}$ ), stationary plasma emission for $\approx7~\text{min}$ during the second stage of the flaring activity that resemble a type IV radio burst. A type III decametre-hectometre radio bursts with starting frequency of $\approx2.5~\text{MHz}$ precedes the stationary type IV burst observed by Udaipur-CALLISTO by $\approx5~\text{min}$ . The synthesis of multi-wavelength observations and non-linear force-free field (NLFFF) coronal modeling together with magnetic decay index analysis suggest that the sigmoid flux rope underwent a zipping-like uprooting from its western to eastern footpoints in response to the overlying asymmetric magnetic field confinement. The asymmetrical eruption of the flux rope also accounts for the observed large-scale structures viz. apparent eastward shift of flare ribbons and post-flare loops along the polarity inversion line (PIL), and provides evidence for lateral progression of magnetic reconnection site as the eruption proceeds.

Successive Flux Rope Eruptions from δ-sunspots Region of NOAA 12673 and Associated X-class Eruptive Flares on 2017 September 6

Abstract In this article, we present a multiwavelength analysis of two X-class solar eruptive flares of classes X2.2 and X9.3 that occurred in the sigmoidal active region NOAA 12673 on 2017 September 6, by combining observations of Atmospheric Imaging Assembly and Helioseismic Magnetic Imager instruments on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. On the day of the reported activity, the photospheric structure of the active region displayed a very complex network of δ-sunspots that gave rise to the formation of a coronal sigmoid observed in the hot extreme-ultraviolet channels. Both X-class flares initiated from the core of the sigmoid sequentially within an interval of ∼3 hr and progressed as a single sigmoid-to-arcade event. Differential emission measure analysis reveals strong heating of plasma at the core of the active region right from the preflare phase, which further intensified and spatially expanded during each event. The identification of a preexisting magnetic null by non-force-free-field modeling of the coronal magnetic fields at the location of early flare brightenings and remote faint ribbon-like structures during the preflare phase, which were magnetically connected with the core region, provide support for the breakout model of solar eruption. The magnetic extrapolations also reveal flux rope structures before both flares, which are subsequently supported by the observations of the eruption of hot extreme-ultraviolet channels. The second X-class flare diverged from the standard flare scenario in the evolution of two sets of flare ribbons, which are spatially well separated, providing firm evidence of magnetic reconnections at two coronal heights.

A Major Geoeffective CME from NOAA 12371: Initiation, CME–CME Interactions, and Interplanetary Consequences

In this article, we present a multi-wavelength and multi-instrument investigation of a halo coronal mass ejection (CME) from active region NOAA 12371 on 21 June 2015 that led to a major geomagnetic storm of minimum $\mathrm{Dst} = -204$ nT. The observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory in the hot EUV channel of 94 A confirm the CME to be associated with a coronal sigmoid that displayed an intense emission ( $T \sim6$ MK) from its core before the onset of the eruption. Multi-wavelength observations of the source active region suggest tether-cutting reconnection to be the primary triggering mechanism of the flux rope eruption. Interestingly, the flux rope eruption exhibited a two-phase evolution during which the “standard” large-scale flare reconnection process originated two composite M-class flares. The eruption of the flux rope is followed by the coronagraphic observation of a fast, halo CME with linear projected speed of 1366 km s−1. The dynamic radio spectrum in the decameter-hectometer frequency range reveals multiple continuum-like enhancements in type II radio emission which imply the interaction of the CME with other preceding slow speed CMEs in the corona within $\approx10$ – $90~\mbox{R} _{\odot}$ . The scenario of CME–CME interaction in the corona and interplanetary medium is further confirmed by the height–time plots of the CMEs occurring during 19 – 21 June. In situ measurements of solar wind magnetic field and plasma parameters at 1 AU exhibit two distinct magnetic clouds, separated by a magnetic hole. Synthesis of near-Sun observations, interplanetary radio emissions, and in situ measurements at 1 AU reveal complex processes of CME–CME interactions right from the source active region to the corona and interplanetary medium that have played a crucial role towards the large enhancement of the geoeffectiveness of the halo CME on 21 June 2015.

Study of Three-dimensional Magnetic Structure and the Successive Eruptive Nature of Active Region 12371

Abstract We study the magnetic structure of a successively erupting sigmoid in active region 12371 by modeling the quasi-static coronal field evolution with nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) equilibria. Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager/Solar Dynamic Observatory vector magnetograms are used as input to the NLFFF model. In all eruption events, the modeled structure resembles the observed pre-eruptive coronal sigmoid and the NLFFF core field is a combination of double inverse-J-shaped and inverse-S field lines with dips touching the photosphere. Such field lines are formed by the flux cancellation reconnection of opposite-J field lines at bald-patch locations, which in turn implies the formation of a weakly twisted flux-rope (FR) from large-scale sheared arcade field lines. Later on, this FR undergoes coronal tether-cutting reconnection until a coronal mass ejection is triggered. The modeled structure captured these major features of sigmoid-to-arcade-to-sigmoid transformation, which is reoccuring under continuous photospheric flux motions. Calculations of the field line twist reveal a fractional increase followed by a decrease of the number of pixels having a range of twist. This traces the buildup process of a twisted core field by slow photospheric motions and the relaxation after eruption, respectively. Our study infers that the large eruptivity of this AR is due to a steep decrease of the background coronal field meeting the torus instability criteria at a low height (≈40 Mm) in contrast to noneruptive ARs.

Successive Homologous Coronal Mass Ejections Driven by Shearing and Converging Motions in Solar Active Region NOAA 12371

Abstract We study the magnetic field evolution in AR 12371, related to its successive eruptive nature. During the disk transit of seven days, the active region (AR) launched four sequential fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are associated with long duration M-class flares. Morphological study delineates a pre-eruptive coronal sigmoid structure above the polarity inversion line (PIL) similar to Moore et al.’s study. The velocity field derived from tracked magnetograms indicates persistent shear and converging motions of polarity regions about the PIL. While these shear motions continue, the crossed arms of two sigmoid elbows are being brought to interaction by converging motions at the middle of the PIL, initiating the tether-cutting reconnection of field lines and the onset of the CME explosion. The successive CMEs are explained by a cyclic process of magnetic energy storage and release referred to as “sigmoid-to-arcade-to-sigmoid” transformation driven by photospheric flux motions. Furthermore, the continued shear motions inject helicity flux with a dominant negative sign, which contributes to core field twist and its energy by building a twisted flux rope (FR). After a limiting value, the excess coronal helicity is expelled by bodily ejection of the FR, which is initiated by some instability as realized by intermittent CMEs. This AR is in contrast with the confined AR 12192 with a predominant negative sign and larger helicity flux, but much weaker (−0.02 turns) normalized coronal helicity content. While predominant signed helicity flux is a requirement for CME eruption, our study suggests that the magnetic flux normalized helicity flux is a necessary condition accommodating the role of background flux and appeals to a further study of a large sample of ARs.

FORMATION AND ERUPTION OF A FLUX ROPE FROM THE SIGMOID ACTIVE REGION NOAA 11719 AND ASSOCIATED M6.5 FLARE: A MULTI-WAVELENGTH STUDY

ABSTRACT We investigate the formation, activation, and eruption of a flux rope (FR) from the sigmoid active region NOAA 11719 by analyzing E(UV), X-ray, and radio measurements. During the pre-eruption period of ∼7 hr, the AIA 94 Å images reveal the emergence of a coronal sigmoid through the interaction between two J-shaped bundles of loops, which proceeds with multiple episodes of coronal loop brightenings and significant variations in the magnetic flux through the photosphere. These observations imply that repetitive magnetic reconnections likely play a key role in the formation of the sigmoidal FR in the corona and also contribute toward sustaining the temperature of the FR higher than that of the ambient coronal structures. Notably, the formation of the sigmoid is associated with the fast morphological evolution of an S-shaped filament channel in the chromosphere. The sigmoid activates toward eruption with the ascent of a large FR in the corona, which is preceded by the decrease in photospheric magnetic flux through the core flaring region, suggesting tether-cutting reconnection as a possible triggering mechanism. The FR eruption results in a two-ribbon M6.5 flare with a prolonged rise phase of ∼21 minutes. The flare exhibits significant deviation from the standard flare model in the early rise phase, during which a pair of J-shaped flare ribbons form and apparently exhibit converging motions parallel to the polarity inversion line, which is further confirmed by the motions of hard X-ray footpoint sources. In the later stages, the flare follows the standard flare model and the source region undergoes a complete sigmoid-to-arcade transformation.

A comparison study of a solar active-region eruptive filament and a neighboring non-eruptive filament

Solar active region (AR) 11283 is a very magnetically complex region and it has produced many eruptions. However, there exists a non-eruptive filament in the plage region just next to an eruptive one in the AR, which gives us an opportunity to perform a comparison analysis of these two filaments. The coronal magnetic field extrapolated using our CESE–MHD–NLFFF code reveals that two magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) exist in the same extrapolation box supporting these two filaments, respectively. Analysis of the magnetic field shows that the eruptive MFR contains a bald-patch separatrix surface (BPSS) cospatial very well with a pre-eruptive EUV sigmoid, which is consistent with the BPSS model for coronal sigmoids. The magnetic dips of the non-eruptive MFRs match Hα observation of the non-eruptive filament strikingly well, which strongly supports the MFR-dip model for filaments. Compared with the non-eruptive MFR/filament (with a length of about 200 Mm), the eruptive MFR/filament is much smaller (with a length of about 20 Mm), but it contains most of the magnetic free energy in the extrapolation box and holds a much higher free energy density than the non-eruptive one. Both the MFRs are weakly twisted and cannot trigger kink instability. The AR eruptive MFR is unstable because its axis reaches above a critical height for torus instability, at which the overlying closed arcades can no longer confine the MFR stably. On the contrary, the quiescent MFR is very firmly held by its overlying field, as its axis apex is far below the torus-instability threshold height. Overall, this comparison investigation supports that an MFR can exist prior to eruption and the ideal MHD instability can trigger an MFR eruption.

FIELD TOPOLOGY ANALYSIS OF A LONG-LASTING CORONAL SIGMOID

We present the first field topology analysis based on nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) models of a long-lasting coronal sigmoid observed in 2007 February with the X-Ray Telescope on Hinode. The NLFFF models are built with the flux rope insertion method and give the three-dimensional coronal magnetic field as constrained by observed coronal loop structures and photospheric magnetograms. Based on these models, we have computed horizontal maps of the current and the squashing factor Q for 25 different heights in the corona for all six days of the evolution of the region. We use the squashing factor to quantify the degree of change of the field line linkage and to identify prominent quasi-separatrix layers (QSLs). We discuss the major properties of these QSL maps and devise a way to pick out important QSLs since our calculation cannot reach high values of Q. The complexity in the QSL maps reflects the high degree of fragmentation of the photospheric field. We find main QSLs and current concentrations that outline the flux rope cavity and that become characteristically S-shaped during the evolution of the sigmoid. We note that, although intermittent bald patches exist along the length of the sigmoid during its whole evolution, themore » flux rope remains stable for several days. However, shortly after the topology of the field exhibits hyperbolic flux tubes (HFT) on February 7 and February 12 the sigmoid loses equilibrium and produces two B-class flares and associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The location of the most elevated part of the HFT in our model coincides with the inferred locations of the two flares. Therefore, we suggest that the presence of an HFT in a coronal magnetic configuration may be an indication that the system is ready to erupt. We offer a scenario in which magnetic reconnection at the HFT drives the system toward the marginally stable state. Once this state is reached, loss of equilibrium occurs via the torus instability, producing a CME.« less

NONLINEAR FORCE-FREE MODELING OF A LONG-LASTING CORONAL SIGMOID

A study of the magnetic configuration and evolution of a long-lasting quiescent coronal sigmoid is presented. The sigmoid was observed by Hinode/XRT and Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) between 2007 February 6 and 12 when it finally erupted. We construct nonlinear force-free field models for several observations during this period, using the flux-rope insertion method. The high spatial and temporal resolution of the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) allows us to finely select best-fit models that match the observations. The modeling shows that a highly sheared field, consisting of a weakly twisted flux rope embedded in a potential field, very well describes the structure of the X-ray sigmoid. The flux rope reaches a stable equilibrium, but its axial flux is close to the stability limit of about 5 × 1020 Mx. The relative magnetic helicity increases with time from February 8 until just prior to the eruption on February 12. We study the spatial distribution of the torsion parameter α in the vicinity of the flux rope, and find that it has a hollow-core distribution, i.e., electric currents are concentrated in a current layer at the boundary between the flux rope and its surroundings. The current layer is located near the bald patch separatrix surface (BPSS) of the magnetic configuration, and the X-ray emission appears to come from this current layer/BPSS, consistent with the Titov and Démoulin model. We find that the twist angle Φ of the magnetic field increases with time to about 2π just prior to the eruption, but never reaches the value necessary for the kink instability.

ON THE STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF COMPLEXITY IN SIGMOIDS: A FLUX EMERGENCE MODEL

Sigmoids are structures with a forward or inverse S-shape, generally observed in the solar corona in soft X-ray emission. It is believed that the appearance of a sigmoid in an active region is an important factor in eruptive activity. The association of sigmoids with dynamic phenomena such as flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) make the study of sigmoids important. Recent observations of a coronal sigmoid, obtained with the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) on board Hinode, showed the formation and eruption phase with high spatial resolution. These observations revealed that the topological structure of the sigmoid is complex: it consists of many differently oriented loops that all together form two opposite J-like bundles or an overall S-shaped structure. A series of theoretical and numerical models have been proposed, over the past years, to explain the nature of sigmoids but there is no explanation on how the aforementioned complexity in sigmoids is built up. In this paper, we present a flux emergence model that leads to the formation of a sigmoid, whose structure and evolution of complexity are in good qualitative agreement with the recent observations. For the initial state of the experiment a twisted flux tube is placed below the photosphere. A density deficit along the axis of the tube makes the system buoyant in the middle and it adopts an Ω-shape as it rises toward the outer atmosphere. During the evolution of the system, expanding field lines that touch the photosphere at bald-patches (BPs) form two seperatrix surfaces where dissipation is enhanced and current sheets are formed. Originally, each of the BP seperatrix surfaces has a J-like shape. Each one of the J's consist of reconnected field lines with different shapes and different relative orientation. The further dynamical evolution of the emerging flux tube results in the occurrence of many sites that resemble rotational discontinuities. Thus, additional current layers are formed inside the rising magnetized volume increasing the complexity of the system. The reconnected field lines along these layers form an overall S-shaped structure. The reconnection process continues to occur leading to the formation of another current concentration in the middle of the sigmoid where a flaring episode occurs. This central brightening is accompanied by the eruption of a flux rope from the central area of the sigmoid and the appearance of post-flare loops underneath the current structure.

Hinode XRT observations of a long-lasting coronal sigmoid

Aims. Coronal sigmoids are important sources of eruptions into interplanetary space, and a handful of models have been proposed to explain their characteristic S shape. However, the coronal X-ray images available to date have generally not had sufficient resolution to distinguish between these models. The goal of the present investigation is to determine whether the new observations from Hinode can help us to make such a distinction. Methods. We present the first observations of a persistent coronal sigmoid obtained with the Hinode X-Ray Telescope (XRT). The excellent angular resolution of XRT (1 arcsec per pixel) and the sigmoid’s location near disk center combined to provide an unprecedented view of the formation and eruption of this phenomenon. We compared the observed morphology with expectations inferred from two popular models of sigmoid formation, the bald-patch separatrix surface model and the kinking flux rope model. Results. The images during the pre-eruptive phase show that the overall S shape of the sigmoid comprises two separate J-shaped bundles of many loops. The straight sections of the two J patterns lie anti-parallel to one another in the middle of the S, on opposite sides of the magnetic polarity inversion line. The images during the eruptive phase reveal that, before any soft X-ray flaring begins, a diffuse linear structure almost as long as the sigmoid lifts off from the middle of the S. It shows slight clockwise rotation. The X-ray flare begins with the appearance of a sheared arcade of short loops, in the area centered between the two J-shaped patterns of the sigmoid. Conclusions. Taken together, the observational findings provide strong support for the bald-patch separatrix surface model for this sigmoid.

Transient Coronal Sigmoids and Rotating Erupting Flux Ropes

To determine the relationship between transient coronal (soft X-ray or EUV) sigmoids and erupting flux ropes, we analyse four events in which a transient sigmoid could be associated with a filament whose apex rotates upon eruption and two further events in which the two phenomena were spatially but not temporally coincident. We find the helicity sign of the erupting field and the direction of filament rotation to be consistent with the conversion of twist into writhe under the ideal MHD constraint of helicity conservation, thus supporting our assumption of flux rope topology for the rising filament. For positive (negative) helicity the filament apex rotates clockwise (counterclockwise), consistent with the flux rope taking on a reverse (forward) S shape, which is opposite to that observed for the sigmoid. This result is incompatible with two models for sigmoid formation: one identifying sigmoids with upward arching kink-unstable flux ropes and one identifying sigmoids with a current layer between two oppositely sheared arcades. We find instead that the observations agree well with the model by Titov and Demoulin (Astron. Astrophys.351, 707, 1999), which identifies transient sigmoids with steepened current layers below rising flux ropes.

Hα Dimming Associated With the Eruption of a Coronal Sigmoid in the Quiet Sun

We report on the occurrence of Hα dimming associated with a sigmoid eruption in a quiet-sun region on 14 August 2001. The coronal sigmoid in soft X-ray images from the Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope was located over an Hα filament channel. Its eruption was accompanied by a flare of GOES X-ray class C2.3 and possibly associated with a halo coronal mass ejection (CME) observed with the Large Angle and Spectroscopic Coronagraphs (LASCO) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). During the eruption, coronal bipolar double dimming took place at the regions with opposite magnetic polarities around the two sigmoid ends, but the underlying chromospheric channel did not show observable changes corresponding to the coronal eruption. Different from the erupting coronal sigmoid itself, however, the coronal dimming had a detectable chromosphere counterpart, i.e., Hα dimming. By regarding the sigmoid as a coronal sign for a flux rope, these observations are explained in the framework of the flux rope model of CMEs. The flux rope is possibly deeply rooted in the chromosphere, and the coronal and Hα dimming regions mark its evacuated feet, through which the material is possibly fed to the halo CME.

Properties of magnetic clouds and geomagnetic storms associated with eruption of coronal sigmoids

We study 46 solar coronal eruptions associated with sigmoids seen in images from the Yohkoh Soft X‐ray Telescope (SXT). We relate the properties of the sigmoids to in situ measurements at 1 AU and geomagnetic storms. Our primary result is that erupting sigmoids tend to produce geoeffective magnetic clouds (MCs): 85% of the erupting sigmoidal structures studied spawned at least a “moderate” (|Dst| ≥ 50 nT) geomagnetic storm. A collateral result is that MCs associated with sigmoids do not show the same solar‐terrestrial correlations as those associated with filaments and, as such, form a distinct class of events. First, rather than reversing with the global solar dipole (at solar maximum), the leading field in MCs weakly (2:1) shows a solar cycle (Hale polarity) based correlation (reversing at solar minimum). Second, whereas the handedness of MCs associated with filament eruptions is strongly (95%) related to their launch hemisphere, that of MCs associated with sigmoid eruptions is only weakly (∼70%) so related. Finally, we are unaware of any model of the magnetic fields of sigmoids and their eruption that gives a useful prediction of the leading field orientation of their associated MC.

Active-Region Filaments and X-ray Sigmoids

We use Yohkoh soft X-ray telescope data and Hα full-disk observations to study the evolution of chromospheric filaments and coronal sigmoids in 6 active regions in association with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). In two cases, CMEs are directly observed by the SOHO/LASCO C2 coronagraph. In four cases, other observations (magnetic clouds, geomagnetic storms, sigmoid-arcade evolution) are used as CME indicators. Prior to eruption, each active region shows a bright coronal sigmoidal loop and underlying Hα filament. The sigmoid activates, erupts and gets replaced by a cusp, or an arcade. In contrast, the Hα filament shows no significant changes in association with sigmoid eruption and CME. We explain these observations in a framework of the classical two-ribbon flare model.

Supramedullary projections to the dorsal and ventral divisions of the paramedian reticular nucleus in the cat.

Injections of combined lectin-conjugated and unconjugated horseradish peroxidase were made in the dorsal (d) and ventral (v) divisions of the paramedian reticular nucleus (PRN), a precerebellar relay nucleus, of the cat. The origins of supramedullary afferent projections to the PRN were identified in the pons, midbrain and cerebral cortex using the transverse plane of section. The data indicate a segregation of input from a number of sites to the dPRN and vPRN. The interstitial nucleus of Cajal projects bilaterally to the dPRN and predominantly to the ipsilateral side. The vPRN receives only a unilateral projection from the ipsilateral nucleus of Cajal. Major afferent projections to the vPRN arise from the ipsilateral nucleus of Darkschewitsch and the intermediate layer of the contralateral superior colliculus. Neither of these sites projected to the dPRN. The raphe nuclei and medial reticular formation of the pons and midbrain contribute a moderate input to both divisions of the PRN. A moderate bilateral cerebral cortical projection arises from the first somatomotor area (SMI). The ventral coronal and anterior sigmoid gyri project mainly to the dPRN and vPRN respectively. Smaller afferent projections arise from the posterior sigmoid gyri and area 6 of Hassler and Mühs-Clement (1964) in the medial wall of the anterior sigmoid gyrus. Inputs from the accessory oculomotor nuclei, tectal regions and the first somatomotor cortex suggest a role in postural control for the PRN which may underlie its involvement in mediating orthostatic reflexes.