Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope Waves Research Articles

Interaction of EIT Waves with Coronal Active Regions

Large-scale coronal waves associated with flares were first observed by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT). We present the first three-dimensional MHD modeling of the interaction of the EIT waves with active regions and the possibility of destabilization of an active region by these waves. The active region is modeled by an initially force-free, bipolar magnetic configuration with gravitationally stratified density. We include finite thermal pressure and resistive dissipation in our model. The EIT wave is launched at the boundary of the region, as a short time velocity pulse that travels with the local fast magnetosonic speed toward the active region. We find that the EIT wave undergoes strong reflection and refraction, in agreement with observations, and induces transient currents in the active region. The resulting Lorentz force leads to the dynamic distortion of the magnetic field and to the generation of secondary waves. The resulting magnetic compression of the plasma induces flows, which are particularly strong in the current-carrying active region. We investigate the effect of the magnetic field configuration and find that the current-carrying active region is destabilized by the impact of the wave. Analysis of the three-dimensional interaction between EIT waves and active regions can serve as a diagnostic of the active region coronal magnetic structure and stability.

Relation between a Moreton Wave and an EIT Wave Observed on 1997 November 4

We consider the relationship between two flare-associated waves, a chromospheric Moreton wave and a coronal EIT wave, based on an analysis of an X-class flare event in AR 8100 on 1997 November 4. A Moreton wave was observed in $\mathrm{H}\alpha$, $\mathrm{H}\alpha {+} 0.8\,$$Å$, and $\mathrm{H}\alpha-0.8\,$$Å$ with the Flare-Monitoring Telescope (FMT) at the Hida Observatory. An EIT wave was observed in EUV with the Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) on board SOHO. The propagation speeds of the Moreton wave and the EIT wave were approximately $715 \,\mathrm{km} \,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$ and $202 \,\mathrm{km} \,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$, respectively. The times of visibility for the Moreton wave did not overlap those of the EIT wave, but the continuation of the former is indicated by a filament oscillation. Data on the speed and location clearly show that the Moreton wave differed physically from the EIT wave in this case. The Moreton wave preceded the EIT wave, which is inconsistent with an identification of the EIT wave with a fast-mode MHD shock.

X-ray observations of a large-scale solar coronal shock wave

We report observations of a propagating disturbance in the solar corona observed in emission in soft X-ray images from the Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT). The disturbance was associated with a flare which began at about 09:04 UT on 1997 November 03. This flare was associated with a type II radio burst observed at decimetric-dekametric wavelengths by the Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam Radio Spectrograph. H α data from Kanzelhohe Solar Observatory show that a Moreton wave was associated with this event. Moreover, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) 195 A data show an `EIT wave' associated with this event. Extrapolations of the leading edge of the propagating soft X-ray disturbance show a close association with both of these wave features. The soft X-ray disturbance is observed to travel with a speed of about 546 km s -1 . Using Nancay Radioheliograph data we directly determine the source locations of the type II radio burst. These are found to be located close to the soft X-ray disturbance and show motions consistent with the soft X-ray motions. These results lead us to conclude that the “SXT wave” is the coronal counterpart of a Moreton wave, analogous to EIT waves, i.e., it is the first confirmed direct observation of a solar coronal shock wave in X-rays.

The magnetic topology of a sigmoid

Recent surveys of solar features have linked the “sigmoid-to-arcade” scenario observed in the soft X-ray corona to coronal mass ejection (CME) onset (Geophys. Res. Lett. 26 (1999) 627, Geophys. Res. Lett. 14 (1998) 2481). Further to these observations, incorporation of extreme-ultraviolet, white light and H-alpha data into such a survey (Geophys. Res. Lett. 27 (2000) 2161) has illustrated the need for a quantitative definition of the term “sigmoid” and further understanding of such features if they are to be used as a means by which to predict CME onset. We analyse two sample active regions in detail, each appearing both sigmoidal and eruptive in Yohkoh soft X-ray telescope (SXT) full-disk data. Both regions were observed during October 1997 and each produced a flare displaying eruptive characteristics. In each case, formation of a flare-arcade was observed by both SXT and the extreme ultraviolet imaging telescope (EIT) following the event. EUV dimming and coronal EIT waves were also observed in each case. We have studied each active region both before and after eruption using soft X-ray, EUV and H-alpha data. A linear force-free field extrapolation has also been applied as a means by which to determine the active region field deviation from potential in each case. Each active region was observed to erupt by means of a different mechanism and while both events show signatures of eruption and consequently, mass ejection, only one produced a CME large enough to be observed by the SoHO large angle spectroscopic coronagraph. The implications of these observations in terms of CME prediction are discussed.

On‐the‐Disk Development of the Halo Coronal Mass Ejection on 1998 May 2

A halo coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed at 15:03 UT on 1998 May 2 by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Large-Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph. The observation of the CME was preceded by a major soft X-ray flare in NOAA Active Region 8210, characterized by a delta spot magnetic configuration and some activity in region 8214. A large transequatorial interconnecting loop (TIL) seen in the soft X-rays connected AR 8210 to a faint magnetic field region in the periphery of region 8214. Smaller loop systems were also connecting AR 8210 to other fainter bipolar magnetic structures, the interconnecting loop (IL) east of AR 8210 being one of the most visible. We present here a multiwavelength analysis of the large- and small-scale coronal structures associated with the development of the flare and of the CME, with emphasis placed on radio-imaging data. In the early phases of the flare, the radio emission sources traced the propagation paths of electrons along the TIL and the IL, which are accelerated in the vicinity of AR 8210. Furthermore, jetlike flows were observed in soft X-rays and in Hα in these directions. Significantly, the TIL and IL loop systems disappeared at least partially after the CME. An EUV Imaging Telescope (EIT) dimming region of similar size and shape to the soft X-ray TIL, but noticeably offset from it, was also observed. During the flash phase of the flare, new radio sources appeared, presenting signatures of destabilization and reconnection at discrete locations of the connecting loops. We interpret these as possible signatures of the CME liftoff on the disk. An Hα Moreton wave (blast wave) and an EIT wave were also observed, originating from the flaring AR 8210. The signatures in radio, after the wave propagated high into the corona, include type II-like emissions in the spectra. The radio images link these emissions to fast-moving sources, presumably formed at locations where the blast wave encounters magnetic structures. The opening of the CME magnetic field is revealed by the radio observations, which show large and expanding moving sources overlying the later-seen EIT dimming region.

Investigation of Coronal Mass Ejections. I. Loop-type with Arcade Flare between the Fixed Legs, and Bubble-type Due to Flare Blast Waves

AbstractIn this paper, we give arguments that there are two types of coronal mass ejection (CME).The first type of CME discussed here is the ‘loop-type’, whose occurrence is related to an arcade flare somewhere between the footpoints. It was found that there were pre-event magnetic connections between the flare location and the locations of the footpoints of a CME of this type, and that these connections disappeared after the event. This suggests that the footpoints of loop-type CMEs are special prescribed points, and this was verified by the observation that the footpoints do not move in this type of CME.The other type of CME is the ‘bubble-type’, which is associated with the flare blast from explosive flares. We confirmed the association of this type of CME with the so-called EIT (Extreme Ultra-violet Imaging Telescope) waves, but the velocity of expansion of the bubble is twice or more greater than that of the EIT waves depending on events. Although EIT waves were widely considered to be Moreton waves viewed by SoHO/EIT in the solar activity minimum period, recent simultaneous observations of both have revealed that the EIT wave is something different from the Moreton wave, and propagates separately with a velocity less than half that of a Moreton wave.We therefore propose a new overall picture: the bubble-type CMEs are the flare-produced MHD blast waves themselves, whose skirt is identified as a Moreton wave. EIT waves may be interpreted as follows: the slow-mode gas motions from the source cause secondary longwavelength fast-mode waves which are trapped in the “waveguide” in the low corona. The secondary long-wavelength wave in the fast-mode, which is trapped in the low corona, has a slower propagation velocity due to the nature of the waves trapped in a “waveguide”. This trapped wave induces slow-mode motions of the gas through a mode-coupling process in the high chromosphere, where the propagation velocities of the fastand slow-mode waves match.Three-dimensional MHD simulations for these two types of CME are in progress, and are previewed in this paper.

ITAL]SOHO[/ITAL]/EIT Observations of the 1997 April 7 Coronal Transient: Possible Evidence of Coronal Moreton Waves

We report observations obtained with the Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) on board SOHO of a large-scale coronal transient propagating across the disk of the Sun at a speed of 250 km s-1, in apparent association with a flare and coronal mass ejection. The observations consist of a series of images taken in the Fe XII 195 A bandpass at an average cadence of 15 minutes. A visible increase in coronal emission propagates away from the erupting region, traveling across most of the solar disk in less than an hour. As the wave propagates through the ambient corona, its path is not homogeneous, and it is less observable near strong magnetic features such as active regions and magnetic neutral lines. The characteristics of this event appear to be representative of several other EIT waves, which we identify as strong candidates for the coronal manifestation of Moreton waves.