Filament Oscillations Research Articles

Study of the excitation of large-amplitude oscillations in a prominence by nearby flares

Large-amplitude oscillations are a common occurrence in solar prominences. These oscillations are triggered by energetic phenomena such as jets and flares. On March 14-15, 2015, a filament partially erupted in two stages, leading to oscillations in different parts of it. In this study, we aim to explore the longitudinal oscillations resulting from the eruption, with special focus on unravelling the underlying mechanisms responsible for their initiation. We pay special attention to the huge oscillation on March 15. The oscillations and jets were analysed using the time-distance technique. For the study of flares and their interaction with the filament, we analysed the different AIA channels in detail and used the differential-emission-measure (DEM) technique. In the initial phase of the event, a jet induces the fragmentation of the filament, which causes it to split into two segments. One of the segments remains in the same position, while the other is detached and moves to a different location. This causes oscillations in both segments: (a) the change of position apparently causes the detached segment to oscillate longitudinally with a period of periodlalofirstphaseDF ; (b) the jet flows reach the remaining filament also producing longitudinal oscillations with a period of periodlalofirstphaseRF . In the second phase, on March 15 another jet seemingly activates the detached filament eruption. After the eruption, there is an associated flare. A large longitudinal oscillation is produced in the remnant segment with a period of periodlalosecondphase and a velocity amplitude of velocitylalosecondphase . During the triggering of the oscillation, bright field lines connect the flare with the filament. These only appear in the AIA 131 and 94 channels, indicating that they contain very hot plasma. The DEM analysis also confirms this result. Both indicate that a plasma of around 10 MK pushes the prominence from its south-eastern side, displacing it along the field lines and initiating the oscillation. From this evidence, the flare and not the preceding jet initiates the oscillation. The hot plasma from the flare escapes and flows into the filament channel structure. In this paper, we shed light on how flares can initiate the huge oscillations in filaments. We propose an explanation in which part of the post-flare loops reconnect with the filament channel's magnetic-field lines that host the prominence.

Transverse Oscillation of Prominence and Filament Induced by an Extreme-ultraviolet Wave from the Far Side of the Sun

In this paper, we report our multi-angle observations of the transverse oscillation of a prominence and a filament induced by an EUV wave originating from the far side of the Sun on 2014 September 1. The prominence oscillation was simultaneously observed by both the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft and the Extreme-UltraViolet Imager on board the Behind Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft. The speed of the shock traveling in interplanetary space exceeds that of the EUV wave, and the coronal dimming area experiences minimal growth. This indicates that the shock wave is driven by the CME, while the EUV wave freely propagates after the lateral motion of the CME flanks has stopped. The observed oscillation direction of the prominence, determined through three-dimensional reconstruction, further supports this point. Moreover, detailed investigation of the oscillations in the prominence and filament induced by the EUV wave reveals initial amplitudes of 16.08 and 2.15 Mm, periods of 1769 and 1863 s, damping timescales of 2640 and 1259 s, and damping ratios of 1.49 and 0.68, respectively. The radial component of the magnetic field, as derived from the prominence and filament oscillation measurements, was estimated to be 5.4 and 4.1 G, respectively. In turn, utilizing the onset times of both the prominence and filament oscillation, the average speeds of the EUV wave are determined to be 498 and 451 km s−1, respectively.

Simultaneous Horizontal and Vertical Oscillation of a Quiescent Filament Observed by CHASE and SDO

In this paper, we present the imaging and spectroscopic observations of the simultaneous horizontal and vertical large-amplitude oscillation of a quiescent filament triggered by an extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) wave on 2022 October 2. Particularly, the filament oscillation involved winking phenomenon in Hα images and horizontal motions in EUV images. Originally, a filament and its overlying loops across AR 13110 and 13113 erupted with a highly inclined direction, resulting in an X1.0 flare and a non-radial coronal mass ejection. The fast lateral expansion of loops excited an EUV wave and the corresponding Moreton wave propagating northward. Once the EUV wave front arrived at the quiescent filament, the filament began to oscillate coherently along the horizontal direction, and the “winking filament” appeared concurrently in Hα images. The horizontal oscillation involved an initial amplitude of ∼10.2 Mm and a velocity amplitude of ∼46.5 km s−1, lasting for ∼3 cycles with a period of ∼18.2 minutes and a damping time of ∼31.1 minutes. The maximum Doppler velocities of the oscillating filament are 18 km s−1 (redshift) and −24 km s−1 (blueshift), which were derived from the spectroscopic data provided by the Chinese Hα Solar Explorer/Hα Imaging Spectrograph. The three-dimensional velocity of the oscillation is determined to be ∼50 km s−1 at an angle of ∼50° to the local photosphere plane. Based on the wave–filament interaction, the minimum energy of the EUV wave is estimated to be 2.7 × 1020 J. Furthermore, this event provides evidence that Moreton waves should be excited by the highly inclined eruptions.

Interaction of solar jets with filaments: Triggering of large-amplitude filament oscillations

Context. Large-amplitude oscillations (LAOs) are often detected in filaments. Using multi-wavelength observations, their origin can be traced back to the interaction with eruptions and jets. Aims. We present two different case studies as observational evidence in support of 2.5D numerical magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) experiments that show that the LAOs in the filament channels can be initiated by solar jets. Methods. We use longitudinal magnetic field observations using the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager to study the evolution of the filament channels. The LAOs in the filaments are analysed using two techniques. The first is time-distance diagnostics with extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and Hα datasets. In the second method, the oscillations in different parts of the filaments are examined using Fourier analysis of the brightness variations of all pixels in Hα observations. Results. In the two studied events, we can identify a quadrupolar configuration with an X-point at the top of the parasitic region suggestive of a classical null-point. The X-point evolves into a flat structure suggestive of a breakout current sheet. A reconnection flow emanates from this structure, leading to a jet that propagates along the filament channel. In both cases, we can identify the quiescent and eruptive phases of the jet. The triggered LAOs have periods of around 70–80 min and are damped after a few oscillations. The minimum magnetic field intensity inferred with seismology for the filament turns out to be around 30 Gauss. Conclusions. We conclude that the two case studies are consistent with a recently published numerical model in which the LAOs are initiated by jets. The relationship between the onset of the jet and filament oscillations is straightforward for the first case but is less clear for the second case. In the second event, although there is some evidence for a relationship, we cannot rule out other possibilities such as activity unrelated to the null-point or changes in the magnetic structure of the filament. Both jets are associated with very weak flares that did not launch any EUV waves. Therefore, a role of EUV waves in triggering the filament oscillations can be eliminated for these two cases.

Automatic detection technique for solar filament oscillations in GONG data

Context. Solar filament oscillations have been known for decades. The new capabilities of the new telescopes have afforded routine observations of these periodic motions. Oscillations in filaments show key aspects of their structure. A systematic study of filament oscillations over the solar cycle can shed light on the evolution of the prominences. Aims. This work is a proof of concept that aims to automatically detect and parametrise these oscillations using Hα data from the GONG network of telescopes. Methods. The proposed technique studies the periodic fluctuations of every pixel of the Hα data cubes. Using the fast Fourier transform, we computed the power spectral density (PSD). We defined a criterion to consider whether it is a real oscillation or a spurious fluctuation. This consisted of considering that the peak in the PSD must be greater than several times the background noise with a confidence level of 95%. The background noise is well fitted to a combination of red and white noise. We applied the method to several observations that were reported in the literature to determine its reliability. We also applied the method to a test case, which was a data set in which the oscillations of the filaments were not known a priori. Results. The method shows that the filaments contain areas in which the PSD is above the threshold value. The periodicities we obtained generally agree with the values that were obtained by other methods. In the test case, the method detects oscillations in several filaments. Conclusions. We conclude that the proposed spectral technique is a powerful tool for automatically detecting oscillations in prominences using Hα data.

Decayless longitudinal oscillations of a solar filament maintained by quasi-periodic jets

Context. As a ubiquitous phenomenon, large-amplitude longitudinal filament oscillations usually decay in 1–4 periods. Recently, we observed a decayless case of such oscillations in the corona. Aims. We try to understand the physical process that maintains the decayless oscillation of the filament. Methods. Multiwavelength imaging observations and magnetograms were collected to study the dynamics of the filament oscillation and its associated phenomena. To explain the decayless oscillations, we also performed one-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical simulations using the code MPI-AMRVAC. Results. In observations, the filament oscillates without decay with a period of 36.4 ± 0.3 min for almost 4 h before eruption. During oscillations, four quasi-periodic jets emanate from a magnetic cancellation site near the filament. The time interval between neighboring jets is ∼68.9 ± 1.0 min. Numerical simulations constrained by the observations reproduced the decayless longitudinal oscillations. However, it is surprising to find that the period of the decayless oscillations is not consistent with the pendulum model. Conclusions. We propose that the decayless longitudinal oscillations of the filament are maintained by quasi-periodic jets, which is verified by the hydrodynamic simulations. More importantly, it is found that, when it is driven by quasi-periodic jets, the period of the filament longitudinal oscillations also depends on the driving period of the jets, not on the pendulum period alone. With a parameter survey in simulations, we derived a formula by which the pendulum oscillation period can be derived using the observed period of decayless filament oscillations and the driving periods of jets.

An MHD Study of Large-Amplitude Oscillations in Solar Filaments

Quiescent filaments are usually affected by internal and/or external perturbations triggering oscillations of different kinds. In particular, external large-scale coronal waves can perturb remote quiescent filaments leading to large-amplitude oscillations. Observational reports have indicated that the activation time of oscillations coincides with the passage of a large-scale coronal wavefront through the filament, although the disturbing wave is not always easily detected. Aiming to contribute to understand how -- and to what extent -- coronal waves are able to excite filament oscillations, here we modelled with 2.5 MHD simulations a filament floating in a gravitationally stratified corona disturbed by a coronal shock wave. This simplified scenario results in a two-coupled oscillation pattern of the filament which is damped in a few cycles, enabling a detailed analysis. A parametric study was accomplished varying parameters of the scenario such as height, size and mass of the filament. An oscillatory analysis reveals a general tendency where periods of oscillations, amplitudes and damping times increase with height, whereas filaments of larger radius exhibit shorter periods and smaller amplitudes. The calculation of forces exerted on the filament shows that the main restoring force is the magnetic tension.

Simultaneous transverse oscillations of a coronal loop and a filament excited by a circular-ribbon flare

Aims. The aim of this study is to investigate the excitation of kink oscillations in coronal loops and filaments, by analyzing a C3.4 circular-ribbon flare associated with a blowout jet in active region 12434 on 2015 October 16. Methods. The flare was observed in ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) spacecraft. The line-of-sight (LOS) magnetograms of the photosphere were observed by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board SDO. Soft X-ray fluxes of the flares in 0.5−4 and 1−8 Å were recorded by the GOES spacecraft. Results. The flare excited small-amplitude kink oscillation of a remote coronal loop. The oscillation lasted for ≥4 cycles without significant damping. The amplitude and period are 0.3 ± 0.1 Mm and 207 ± 12 s. Interestingly, the flare also excited transverse oscillation of a remote filament. The oscillation lasted for ∼3.5 cycles with decaying amplitudes. The initial amplitude is 1.7−2.2 Mm. The period and damping time are 437−475 s and 1142−1600 s. The starting times of simultaneous oscillations of coronal loop and filament were concurrent with the hard X-ray peak time. Though small in size and short in lifetime, the flare set off a chain reaction. It generated a bright secondary flare ribbon (SFR) in the chromosphere, remote brightening (RB) that was cospatial with the filament, and intermittent, jet-like flow propagating in the northeast direction. Conclusions. The loop oscillation is most probably excited by the flare-induced blast wave at a speed of ≥1300 km s−1. The excitation of the filament oscillation is more complicated. The blast wave triggers secondary magnetic reconnection far from the main flare, which not only heats the local plasma to higher temperatures (SFR and RB), but produces jet-like flow (i.e., reconnection outflow) as well. The filament is disturbed by the secondary magnetic reconnection and experiences transverse oscillation. These findings provide new insight into the excitation of transverse oscillations of coronal loops and filaments.

Longitudinal filament oscillations enhanced by two C-class flares

Context. Large-amplitude, longitudinal filament oscillations triggered by solar flares have been well established in the literature. However, filament oscillations enhanced by flares have never been reported. Aims. In this paper we report the multiwavelength observations of a very long filament in active region (AR) 11112 on 2010 October 18. The filament was composed of two parts, the eastern part (EP) and the western part (WP). We focus on longitudinal oscillations of the EP, which were enhanced by two homologous C-class flares in the same AR. Methods. The filament was observed in Hα wavelength by the Global Oscillation Network Group and in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Line-of-sight magnetograms were provided by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board SDO. The global three-dimensional magnetic fields were obtained using the potential field source surface modeling. Soft X-ray light curves of the two flares were recorded by the GOES spacecraft. White light images of the corona were observed by the LASCO/C2 coronagraph on board SOHO. To reproduce part of the observations, we perform one-dimensional, hydrodynamic numerical simulations using the MPI-AMRVAC code. Results. The C1.3 flare was confined without a coronal mass ejection (CME). Both EP and WP of the filament were slightly disturbed and survived the flare. After 5 h, eruption of the WP generated a C2.6 flare and a narrow jet-like CME. Three oscillating threads (thda, thdb, thdc) are obviously identified in the EP, and their oscillations are naturally divided into three phases by the two flares. The initial amplitude ranges from 1.6 to 30 Mm with a mean value of ∼14 Mm. The period ranges from 34 to 73 min with a mean value of ∼53 min. The curvature radii of the magnetic dips are estimated to be 29 to 133 Mm with a mean value of ∼74 Mm. The damping times ranges from ∼62 to ∼96 min with a mean value of ∼82 min. The value of τ/P is between 1.2 and 1.8. For thda in the EP, the amplitudes were enhanced by the two flares from 6.1 Mm to 6.8 Mm after the C1.3 flare, and further to 21.4 Mm after the C2.6 flare. The period variation as a result of perturbation from the flares was within 20%. The attenuation became faster after the C2.6 flare. Conclusions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of large-amplitude, longitudinal filament oscillations enhanced by flares. Numerical simulations reproduce the oscillations of thda very well. The simulated amplitudes and periods are close to the observed values, while the damping time in the last phase is longer, implying additional mechanisms should be taken into account apart from radiative loss.

GONG Catalog of Solar Filament Oscillations Near Solar Maximum

We have catalogued 196 filament oscillations from the GONG $H{\alpha}$ network data during several months near the maximum of solar cycle 24 (January - June 2014). Selected examples from the catalog are described in detail, along with our statistical analyses of all events. Oscillations were classified according to their velocity amplitude: 106 small-amplitude oscillations (SAOs), with velocities $<10\mathrm{\, km \; s^{-1}}$, and 90 large-amplitude oscillations (LAOs), with velocities $>10\mathrm{\, km \; s^{-1}}$. Both SAOs and LAOs are common, with one event of each class every two days on the visible side of the Sun. For nearly half of the events we identified their apparent trigger. The period distribution has a mean value of 58$\pm$15 min for both types of oscillations. The distribution of the damping time per period peaks at $\tau/P=1.75$ and $1.25$ for SAOs and LAOs respectively. We confirmed that LAO damping rates depend nonlinearly on the oscillation velocity. The angle between the direction of motion and the filament spine has a distribution centered at $27^\circ$ for all filament types. This angle agrees with the observed direction of filament-channel magnetic fields, indicating that most of the catalogued events are longitudinal (i.e., undergo field-aligned motions). We applied seismology to determine the average radius of curvature in the magnetic dips, $R\approx89$ Mm, and the average minimum magnetic-field strength, $B\approx16$ G. The catalog is available to the community online, and is intended to be expanded to cover at least 1 solar cycle.

Magnetic tension and instabilities in the Orion A integral-shaped filament

The Orion nebula is a prime example of a massive star-forming region in our galaxy. Observations have shown that gravitational and magnetic energy are comparable in its integral shaped filament (ISF) on a scale of ~1 pc, and that the population of pre-main sequence stars appears dynamically heated compared to the protostars. These results have been attributed to a slingshot mechanism resulting from the oscillation of the filament (Stutz & Gould 2016). In this paper, we show that radially contracting filaments naturally evolve toward a state where gravitational, magnetic, and rotational energy are comparable. While the contraction of the filament will preferentially amplify the axial component of the magnetic field, the presence of rotation leads to a helical field structure. We show how magnetic tension can give rise to a filament oscillation, and estimate a typical timescale of 0.7 million years for the motion of the filament to the position of maximum displacement, consistent with the characteristic timescale of the ejected stars. Furthermore, the presence of helical magnetic fields is expected to give rise to magneto-hydrodynamical instabilities. We show here that the presence of a magnetic field significantly enhances the overall instability, which operates on a characteristic scale of about 1 pc. We expect the physics discussed here to be generally relevant in massive star forming regions, and encourage further investigations in the future.

Slingshot mechanism for clusters: Gas density regulates star density in the Orion Nebula Cluster (M42)

We characterize the stellar and gas volume density, potential, and gravitational field profiles in the central $\sim$ 0.5 pc of the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC), the nearest embedded star cluster (or rather, proto-cluster) hosting massive star formation available for detailed observational scrutiny. We find that the stellar volume density is well characterized by a Plummer profile $\rho_{stars}(r) = 5755\,{\rm M}_{\odot}\,{\rm pc}^{-3}\,(1+(r/a)^2)^{-5/2}$, where $a = 0.36$ pc. The gas density follows a cylindrical power law $\rho_{gas}(R) = 25.9\,{\rm M}_{\odot}\,{\rm pc}^{-3}\,(R/{\rm pc})^{-1.775}$. The stellar density profile dominates over the gas density profile inside $r\,\sim\,1$ pc. The gravitational field is gas-dominated at all radii, but the contribution to the total field by the stars is nearly equal to that of the gas at $r\,\sim\,a$. This fact alone demonstrates that the proto-cluster cannot be considered a gas-free system or a virialized system dominated by its own gravity. The stellar proto-cluster core is dynamically young, with an age of $\sim$ 2-3 Myr, a 1D velocity dispersion of $\sigma_{\rm obs} = 2.6$ km s$^{-1}$, and a crossing time of $\sim$ 0.55 Myr. This timescale is almost identical to the gas filament oscillation timescale estimated recently by Stutz & Gould (2016). This provides strong evidence that the proto-cluster structure is regulated by the gas filament. The proto-cluster structure may be set by tidal forces due to the oscillating filamentary gas potential. Such forces could naturally suppress low density stellar structures on scales $\gtrsim\,a$. The analysis presented here leads to a new suggestion that clusters form by an analog of the "slingshot mechanism" previously proposed for stars.

A reexamination of a filament oscillation event on 2013 March 15

The key element in the research of solar activities is the coronal magnetic field, which is however difficult to measure directly. Filament (or prominence) oscillations offer a new approach to derive important information of the coronal magnetic field, which is called prominence seismology. However, it is vital to determine the oscillation mode before applying the prominence seismology since for a given magnetic structure of a filament, the two different modes of oscillation, namely, the longitudinal and transverse, have different eigen frequencies. In low-resolution observations, it is hard to distinguish the oscillation mode since both modes of oscillations are associated with lateral displacements, and the subtle difference between the two modes becomes unresolvable. On 2013 March 15, there is a filament oscillation event with a period of ∼63 minutes and a decay timescale of ∼105 minutes, which was explained in the literature to be a transverse oscillation or a mixture of both transversal and longitudinal components with the same period. With the analysis of the high-resolution SDO/AIA data, we reexamine the filament oscillation event, and argue that this event is a longitudinal oscillation. We tentatively propose a new method on how to identify the oscillation mode when the observational resolution is not so high. A numerical simulation is also provided in order to match the observations, which leads to the ratio between the depth and the width of the magnetic dip being 0.1.

Large-amplitude Longitudinal Oscillations in a Solar Filament

Abstract In this paper, we report our multiwavelength observations of the large-amplitude longitudinal oscillations of a filament observed on 2015 May 3. Located next to active region 12335, the sigmoidal filament was observed by the ground-based Hα telescopes from the Global Oscillation Network Group and by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly instrument on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The filament oscillations were most probably triggered by the magnetic reconnection in the filament channel, which is characterized by the bidirectional flows, brightenings in EUV and soft X-ray, and magnetic cancellation in the photosphere. The directions of oscillations have angles of 4°–36° with respect to the filament axis. The whole filament did not oscillate in phase as a rigid body. Meanwhile, the oscillation periods (3100–4400 s) have a spatial dependence, implying that the curvature radii (R) of the magnetic dips are different at different positions. The values of R are estimated to be 69.4–133.9 Mm, and the minimum transverse magnetic field of the dips is estimated to be 15 G. The amplitudes of S5-S8 grew with time, while the amplitudes of S9-S14 damped with time. The oscillation amplitudes range from a few to ten Mm, and the maximum velocity can reach 30 km s−1. Interestingly, the filament experienced mass drainage southward at a speed of ∼27 km s−1. The oscillations continued after the mass drainage and lasted for more than 11 hr. After the mass drainage, the oscillation phases did not change much. The periods of S5-S8 decreased, while the periods of S9-S14 increased. The amplitudes of S5-S8 damped with time, while the amplitudes of S9-S14 grew. Most of the damping (growing) ratios are between −9 and 14. We offer a schematic cartoon to explain the complex behaviors of oscillations by introducing thread-thread interaction.

Multi-wavelength observations of filament oscillations induced by shock waves

AbstractTwo cases of filament oscillations induced by large-scale coronal shock waves are presented. For the first case, a chain of transverse oscillating filaments are observed in a proper order after the passing of a shock wave, and it is found that the they were triggered by the surface component of the dome-shaped shock wave. For the second case, simultaneous transverse oscillation of a limb prominence and longitudinal oscillation in an on-disk filament are launched by a single shock wave. It is found that the interaction angle between the shock wave and the prominence axis is the key to launch transverse or longitudinal filament oscillations. In addition, filament magnetic fields are estimated, using the measured parameters.

Anharmonic oscillatory flow braking in the Earth's magnetotail

AbstractPlasma sheet bursty bulk flows often oscillate around their equilibrium position at about 10 RE downtail. The radial magnetic field, pressure, and flux tube volume profiles usually behave differently earthward and tailward of this position. Using data from five Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) probes, we reconstruct these profiles with the help of an empirical model and apply thin filament theory to show that the oscillatory flow braking can occur in an asymmetric potential. Thus, the thin filament oscillations appear to be anharmonic, with a power spectrum exhibiting peaks at both the fundamental frequency and the first harmonic. Such anharmonic oscillatory braking can explain the presence of the first harmonic in Pi2 pulsations (frequency doubling), which are simultaneously observed by magnetometers on the ground near the conjugate THEMIS footprints.

SIMULTANEOUS TRANSVERSE OSCILLATIONS OF A PROMINENCE AND A FILAMENT AND LONGITUDINAL OSCILLATION OF ANOTHER FILAMENT INDUCED BY A SINGLE SHOCK WAVE

We present the first stereoscopic and Doppler observations of simultaneous transverse oscillations of a prominence and a filament and longitudinal oscillation of another filament launched by a single shock wave. Using H-alpha Doppler observations, we derive the three-dimensional oscillation velocities at different heights along the prominence axis. The results indicate that the prominence has a larger oscillation amplitude and damping time at higher altitude, but the periods at different heights are the same (i.e., 13.5 minutes). This suggests that the prominence oscillates like a linear vertical rigid body with one end anchored on the Sun. One of the filaments shows weak transverse oscillation after the passing of the shock, which is possibly due to the low altitude of the filament and the weakening (due to reflection) of the shock wave before the interaction. Large amplitude longitudinal oscillation is observed in the other filament after the passing of the shock wave. The velocity amplitude and period are about 26.8 km/s and 80.3 minutes, respectively. We propose that the orientation of a filament or prominence relative to the normal vector of the incoming shock should be an important factor for launching transverse or longitudinal filament oscillations. In addition, the restoring forces of the transverse prominence are most likely due to the coupling of gravity and magnetic tension of the supporting magnetic field, while that for the longitudinal filament oscillation is probably the resultant force of gravity and magnetic pressure.

A CHAIN OF WINKING (OSCILLATING) FILAMENTS TRIGGERED BY AN INVISIBLE EXTREME-ULTRAVIOLET WAVE

Winking (oscillating) filaments have been observed for many years. However, observations of successive winking filaments in one event have not been reported yet. In this paper, we present the observations of a chain of winking filaments and a subsequent jet that are observed right after the X2.1 are in AR11283. The event also produced an Extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) wave that has two components: upward dome-like wave (850 km/s) and lateral surface wave (554 km/s) which was very weak (or invisible) in imaging observations. By analyzing the temporal and spatial relationships between the oscillating filaments and the EUV waves, we propose that all the winking filaments and the jet were triggered by the weak (or invisible) lateral surface EUV wave. The oscillation of the filaments last for two or three cycles, and their periods, Doppler velocity amplitudes, and damping times are 11 - 22 minutes, 6 - 14 km/s, and 25 - 60 minutes, respectively. We further estimate the radial component magnetic field and the maximum kinetic energy of the filaments, and they are 5 - 10 Gauss and ~ 10^19 J, respectively. The estimated maximum kinetic energy is comparable to the minimum energy of ordinary EUV waves, suggesting that EUV waves can efficiently launch filament oscillations on their path. Based on our analysis results, we conclude that the EUV wave is a good agent for triggering and connecting successive but separated solar activities in the solar atmosphere, and it is also important for producing solar sympathetic eruptions.

Hydrodynamic instabilities provide a generic route to spontaneous biomimetic oscillations in chemomechanically active filaments

Non-equilibrium processes which convert chemical energy into mechanical motion enable the motility of organisms. Bundles of inextensible filaments driven by energy transduction of molecular motors form essential components of micron-scale motility engines like cilia and flagella. The mimicry of cilia-like motion in recent experiments on synthetic active filaments supports the idea that generic physical mechanisms may be sufficient to generate such motion. Here we show, theoretically, that the competition between the destabilising effect of hydrodynamic interactions induced by force-free and torque-free chemomechanically active flows, and the stabilising effect of nonlinear elasticity, provides a generic route to spontaneous oscillations in active filaments. These oscillations, reminiscent of prokaryotic and eukaryotic flagellar motion, are obtained without having to invoke structural complexity or biochemical regulation. This minimality implies that biomimetic oscillations, previously observed only in complex bundles of active filaments, can be replicated in simple chains of generic chemomechanically active beads.

SOLAR Hα OSCILLATIONS FROM INTENSITY AND DOPPLER OBSERVATIONS

Chromospheric wave activity around flares and filaments has been a research focus for years, and could provide indirect measurements of local conditions that are not otherwise accessible. One interesting observed phenomenon is oscillations in filaments, activated by distant flares and the large-scale waves they produce. Characteristics of these oscillations, such as periods, amplitudes, and lifetimes, can provide unique information about the filament. We measure oscillation properties in flares and filaments from H-alpha chromospheric data using a new method that provides important spatial and frequency content of the dynamics. We apply the method to two flare events where filaments are observed to oscillate and determine their properties. We find strong oscillatory signal in flaring active regions in the chromosphere over a range of frequencies. Two filaments are found to oscillate without any detectable chromospheric wave acting as an activation mechanism. We find that filaments oscillate with periods of tens of minutes, but variations are significant at small spatial scales along the filamentary region. The results suggest there is a frequency dependence of the oscillation amplitude, as well as a spatial dependence along single filaments that is more difficult to quantify. It also appears that the strength of the oscillations do not necessarily depend on the strength of the trigger, although there are other possible effects that make this conclusion preliminary. Applications of this technique to other events and different data sets will provide important new insights into the local energy densities and magnetic fields associated with dynamic chromospheric structures.