Solar Dynamics Observatory Data Research Articles

A Floor in the Sun's Photospheric Magnetic Field: Implications for an Independent Small-scale Dynamo

Clette recently showed that F 10.7 systematically approaches a quiet Sun daily value of 67 solar flux units (sfu) at solar minima as the number of spotless days on the Sun increases. Previously, a floor of ∼2.8 nT had been proposed for the solar wind (SW) magnetic field strength (B). F 10.7, which closely tracks the Sun's unsigned photospheric magnetic flux, and SW B exhibit different relationships to their floors at 11 yr solar minima during the last ∼50 yr. While F 10.7 approaches 67 sfu at each minimum, the corresponding SW B is offset above ∼2.8 nT by an amount approximately proportional to the solar polar field strength—which varied by a factor of ∼2.5 during this interval. This difference is substantiated by ∼130 yr of reconstructed F 10.7 (via the range of the diurnal variation of the East-component (rY) of the geomagnetic field) and SW B (based on the interdiurnal variability geomagnetic activity index). For the last ∼60 yr, the contribution of the slow SW to SW B has exhibited a floor-like behavior at ∼2 nT, in contrast to the contributions of coronal mass ejections and high-speed streams that vary with the solar cycle. These observations, as well as recent SW studies based on Parker Solar Probe and Solar Dynamics Observatory data, suggest that (1) the Sun has a small-scale turbulent dynamo that is independent of the 11 yr sunspot cycle; and (2) the small-scale magnetic fields generated by this nonvarying turbulent dynamo maintain a constant open flux carried to the heliosphere by the Sun's floor-like slow SW.

Evolution of Solar Eruptive Events: Investigating the Relationships among Magnetic Reconnection, Flare Energy Release, and Coronal Mass Ejections

We study the evolution of solar eruptive events by investigating the temporal relationships among magnetic reconnection, flare energy release, and the acceleration of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Leveraging the optimal viewing geometry of the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) relative to the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) during 2010–2013, we identify 12 events with sufficient spatial and temporal coverage for a detailed examination. STEREO and SDO data are used to measure the CME kinematics and the reconnection rate, respectively, and hard X-ray (HXR) measurements from RHESSI provide a signature of the flare energy release. This analysis expands upon previous solar eruptive event timing studies by examining the fast-varying features, or “bursts,” in the HXR and reconnection rate profiles, which represent episodes of energy release. Through a time lag correlation analysis, we find that HXR bursts occur throughout the main CME acceleration phase for most events, with the HXR bursts lagging the acceleration by 2 ± 9 minutes for fast CMEs. Additionally, we identify a nearly one-to-one correspondence between bursts in the HXR and reconnection rate profiles, with HXRs lagging the reconnection rate by 1.4 ± 2.8 minutes. The studied events fall into two categories: events with a single dominant HXR burst and events with a train of multiple HXR bursts. Events with multiple HXR bursts, indicative of intermittent reconnection and/or particle acceleration, are found to correspond with faster CMEs.

Improved AI-generated Solar Farside Magnetograms by STEREO and SDO Data Sets and Their Release

Here we greatly improve artificial intelligence (AI)–generated solar farside magnetograms using data sets from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) and Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We modify our previous deep-learning model and configuration of input data sets to generate more realistic magnetograms than before. First, our model, which is called Pix2PixCC, uses updated objective functions, which include correlation coefficients (CCs) between the real and generated data. Second, we construct input data sets of our model: solar farside STEREO extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) observations together with nearest frontside SDO data pairs of EUV observations and magnetograms. We expect that the frontside data pairs provide historic information on magnetic field polarity distributions. We demonstrate that magnetic field distributions generated by our model are more consistent with the real ones than previously, in consideration of several metrics. The averaged pixel-to-pixel CC for full disk, active regions, and quiet regions between real and AI-generated magnetograms with 8 × 8 binning are 0.88, 0.91, and 0.70, respectively. Total unsigned magnetic flux and net magnetic flux of the AI-generated magnetograms are consistent with those of real ones for the test data sets. It is interesting to note that our farside magnetograms produce polar field strengths and magnetic field polarities consistent with those of nearby frontside magnetograms for solar cycles 24 and 25. Now we can monitor the temporal evolution of active regions using solar farside magnetograms by the model together with the frontside ones. Our AI-generated solar farside magnetograms are now publicly available at the Korean Data Center for SDO (http://sdo.kasi.re.kr).

Leveraging Space-based Data from the Nearest Solar-type Star to Better Understand Stellar Activity Signatures in Radial Velocity Data

Stellar variability is a key obstacle in reaching the sensitivity required to recover Earth-like exoplanetary signals using the radial velocity (RV) detection method. To explore activity signatures in Sun-like stars, we present SolAster, a publicly distributed analysis pipeline 10 10 https://tamarervin.github.io/SolAster/ that allows for comparison of space-based measurements with ground-based disk-integrated RVs. Using high-spatial-resolution Dopplergrams, magnetograms, and continuum filtergrams from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager aboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), we estimate “Sun-as-a-star” disk-integrated RVs due to rotationally modulated flux imbalances and convective blueshift suppression, as well as other observables such as unsigned magnetic flux. Comparing these measurements with ground-based RVs from the NEID instrument, which observes the Sun daily using an automated solar telescope, we find a strong relationship between magnetic activity indicators and RV variation, supporting efforts to examine unsigned magnetic flux as a proxy for stellar activity in slowly rotating stars. Detrending against measured unsigned magnetic flux allows us to improve the NEID RV measurements by ∼20% (∼50 cm s−1 in a quadrature sum), yielding an rms scatter of ∼60 cm s−1 over five months. We also explore correlations between individual and averaged spectral line shapes in the NEID spectra and SDO-derived magnetic activity indicators, motivating future studies of these observables. Finally, applying SolAster to archival planetary transits of Venus and Mercury, we demonstrate the ability to recover small amplitude (<50 cm s−1) RV variations in the SDO data by directly measuring the Rossiter–McLaughlin signals.

Immersive Virtual-Reality-Based Streaming Distance Education System for Solar Dynamics Observatory: A Case Study

The combination of immersive virtual reality (VR) environments and distance education has led to a new educational paradigm. In this study, an immersive VR-based distance education system is proposed to enable multiple remote users to send, share, and experience images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) via streaming. In contrast to the conventional system in which only experts use SDO data, the proposed system provides a head-mounted-display-based visualization platform that can be easily used by experts and non-experts. Real-time SDO image streaming must be possible to realistically observe changes in the Sun and increase involvement. Thus, multichannel-based SDO image transmission was applied to increase the network bandwidth utilization. To improve the social presence of participants, realistic avatar models controlled by the motions synchronized with the user are provided. In addition, free communication is possible through verbal interactions. This allows multiple remote users to participate simultaneously without having to be physically present. A user study with 20 subjects showed that the participants could observe SDO images in a more immersive manner by using the proposed system. In addition, they experienced social presence because of the user avatar models and an enriched educational experience by conversing with and listening to experts.

Evolution of a streamer-blowout CME as observed by imagers on Parker Solar Probe and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory

Context. On 26–27 January 2020, the Wide-field Imager for Solar Probe on Parker Solar Probe (PSP) observed a coronal mass ejection (CME) from a distance of approximately 30 R⊙ as it passed through the instrument’s 95° field-of-view, providing an unprecedented view of the flux rope morphology of the CME’s internal structure. The same CME was seen by Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory-Ahead (STEREO-A), beginning on 25 January. Aims. Our goal is to understand the origin and determine the trajectory of this CME. Methods. We analyzed data from three well-placed spacecrafts: PSP, STEREO-A, and Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The CME trajectory was determined using a tracking-and-fitting technique and verified using simultaneous images of the CME propagation from STEREO-A. The fortuitous alignment with STEREO-A also provided views of coronal activity leading up to the eruption. Observations from SDO, in conjunction with potential magnetic field models of the corona, were used to analyze the coronal magnetic evolution for the three days leading up to the flux rope ejection from the corona on 25 January. Results. We found that the 25 January CME is likely the end result of a slow magnetic flux rope eruption that began on 23 January and was observed by STEREO-A/Extreme Ultraviolet Imager. The analysis of these observations suggest that the flux rope was apparently constrained in the corona for more than a day before its final ejection on 25 January. STEREO-A/COR2 observations of swelling and brightening of the overlying streamer for several hours prior to eruption on 25 January led us to classify this as a streamer-blowout CME. The analysis of the SDO data suggests that restructuring of the coronal magnetic fields caused by an emerging active region led to the final ejection of the flux rope.

Modified 3D Model of a Facular KNOT

The paper presents a modified version of a previously published 3D model of the solar facular knot (Solov’ev and Kirichek, 2019), which successfully describes the main structural features of the solar facular formations. As in the main model, we use the solution (Schatzman, 1965) in the potential approximation as the basis of the magnetic structure of the facular element. The magnetic profile of the facula, as before, has the shape of a fountain, in which thin streams of plasma rise in the center of the node and flow on its periphery along magnetic field lines. This configuration is very similar to the observed patterns (Lites et al., 2004; Jafarzadeh et al., 2017; Pietarila et al., 2009). In the new modified facula model, we use a different method to introduce force corrections into the potential distribution of the magnetic field, which causes the appearance of additional terms in the formulas for pressure and density. In the new version of the model, a change in only geometric parameters leads to a sharp change in the temperature profiles of the facular knot: instead of a dark central dip in the center of the assembly, a bright, hot formation can occur. An observational example of such a large-scale transformation is found in the Solar Dynamics Observatory data.

Nonharmonic Oscillations of Solar Pores at the Dissipation Stage

Long-term variations of the magnetic field of solitary solar pores with periods in the range of 4–12 h are detected with the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). These long-term oscillations of the pores obviously reflect the movements of these structures as whole magnetic formations around their equilibrium position. In this article, long-period oscillations of the solar pore are studied based on the SDO data for the first time. The results are interpreted with the solution obtained earlier for eigen oscillations of the system with time-varying stiffness.

The Origin of Deep Acoustic Sources Associated with Solar Magnetic Structures

Abstract It is generally accepted that solar acoustic (p) modes are excited by near-surface turbulent motions, in particular by downdrafts and interacting vortices in intergranular lanes. Recent analysis of Solar Dynamics Observatory data by Zhao et al. (2015) revealed fast-moving waves around sunspots, which are consistent with magnetoacoustic waves excited approximately 5 Mm beneath the sunspot. We analyzed 3D radiative MHD simulations of solar magnetoconvection with a self-organized pore-like magnetic structure, and identified more than 600 individual acoustic events both inside and outside this structure. By performing a case-by-case study, we found that acoustic sources surrounding the magnetic structure are associated with downdrafts. Their depth correlates with downdraft speed and magnetic field strength. The sources often can be transported into deeper layers by downdrafts. The wave front shape, in the case of a strong or inclined downdraft, can be stretched along the downdraft. Inside the magnetic structure, excitation of acoustic waves is driven by converging flows. Frequently, strong converging plasma streams hit the structure boundaries, causing compressions in its interior that excite acoustic waves. Analysis of the depth distribution of acoustic events shows the strongest concentration at 0.2–1 Mm beneath the surface for the outside sources and mostly below 1 Mm inside the magnetic region, that is, deeper than their counterparts outside the magnetic region.

Untwisting and Disintegration of a Solar Filament Associated with Photospheric Flux Cancellation

Abstract Using the high-resolution observations from the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST) jointly with the Solar Dynamics Observatory data, we investigate two successive confined eruptions (Erup1 and Erup2) of a small filament in a decaying active region on 2017 November 10. During the process of Erup1, the overlying magnetic arcade is observed to inflate with the rising filament at the beginning and then stop during the explosion. In the hot EUV channel, a coronal sigmoidal structure appears during the first eruption and fades away after the second one. The untwisting rotation and disintegration of the filament in Erup2 are clearly revealed by the NVST Hα intensity data, hinting at a pre-existing twisted configuration for the filament. By tracking two rotating features in the filament, the average rotational angular velocity of the unwinding filament is found to be ∼10.°5 min−1. A total twist of ∼1.3π is estimated to be stored in the filament before the eruption, which is far below the criteria for kink instability. Several hours prior to the event, some photospheric flux activities, including the flux convergence and cancellation, are detected around the northern end of the filament, where some small-scale EUV brightenings are also captured. Moreover, strongly sheared transverse fields are found in the canceling magnetic features from the vector magnetograms. Our observational results support the flux cancellation model, in which the interaction between the converging and sheared opposite-polarity fluxes destabilizes the filament and triggers the ensuing ejection.

Global Energetics of Solar Flares. VI. Refined Energetics of Coronal Mass Ejections

Abstract In this study, we refine the coronal mass ejection (CME) model that was presented in an earlier study of the global energetics of solar flares and associated CMEs and apply it to all (860) GOES M- and X-class flare events observed during the first seven years (2010–2016) of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission. The model refinements include (1) the CME geometry in terms of a 3D volume undergoing self-similar adiabatic expansion, (2) the solar gravitational deceleration during the propagation of the CME, which discriminates between eruptive and confined CMEs, (3) a self-consistent relationship between the CME center-of-mass motion detected during EUV dimming and the leading-edge motion observed in white-light coronagraphs, (4) the equipartition of the CME’s kinetic and thermal energies, and (5) the Rosner–Tucker–Vaiana scaling law. The refined CME model is entirely based on EUV-dimming observations (using Atmospheric Imager Assembly (AIA)/SDO data) and complements the traditional white-light scattering model (using Large-Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph Experiment (LASCO)/Solar and Heliospheric Observatory data), and both models are independently capable of determining fundamental CME parameters. Comparing the two methods, we find that (1) LASCO is less sensitive than AIA in detecting CMEs (in 24% of the cases), (2) CME masses below g are underestimated by LASCO, (3) AIA and LASCO masses, speeds, and energies agree closely in the statistical mean after the elimination of outliers, and (4) the CME parameters speed v, emission measure-weighted flare peak temperature T e , and length scale L are consistent with the following scaling laws: , , and .

Various Local Heating Events in the Earliest Phase of Flux Emergence

Abstract Emerging flux regions (EFRs) are known to exhibit various sporadic local heating events in the lower atmosphere. To investigate the characteristics of these events, especially to link the photospheric magnetic fields and atmospheric dynamics, we analyze Hinode, Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), and Solar Dynamics Observatory data of a new EFR in NOAA AR 12401. Out of 151 bright points (BPs) identified in Hinode/SOT Ca images, 29 are overlapped by an SOT/SP scan. Seven BPs in the EFR center possess mixed-polarity magnetic backgrounds in the photosphere. Their IRIS UV spectra (e.g., Si iv 1402.8 Å) are strongly enhanced and red- or blueshifted, with tails reaching , which is highly suggestive of bi-directional jets; each brightening lasts for 10–15 minutes, leaving flare-like light curves. Most of this group show bald patches, the U-shaped photospheric magnetic loops. Another 10 BPs are found in unipolar regions at the EFR edges. They are generally weaker in UV intensities and exhibit systematic redshifts with Doppler speeds up to , which could exceed the local sound speed in the transition region. Both types of BPs show signs of strong temperature increase in the low chromosphere. These observational results support the physical picture that heating events in the EFR center are due to magnetic reconnection within cancelling undular fields like Ellerman bombs, while the peripheral heating events are due to shocks or strong compressions caused by fast downflows along the overlying arch filament system.

Identification of large-scale cellular structures on the Sun based on the SDO and PSPT data

Three independent sets of data: i). series of filtergrams obtained in line CaII K (393.416 nm) with the ground-based telescope Precision Solar Photometric Telescope (PSPT) of Mauna Loa Solar Observatory; ii). series of filtergrams of Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in {\lambda}160 nm and iii). series of magnetograms of Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) of SDO have been processed to reveal reliably the existence of spatial cellular structures on the solar photosphere at scale about of 300 arcsec. This scale is intermediate between supergranules and giant cells (~30,000 and ~300,000 kilometers across, respectively). To identify the different spatial structures the tens of two-dimensional power spectra (2DFFT) have been averaged. For one-dimensional photometric cross sections of frames, the Fourier power spectra (FFT) and wavelet transforms (Morlet 5-th order) have been calculated.

Laboratory study supporting the interpretation of Solar Dynamics Observatory data

High-resolution extreme ultraviolet spectra of ions in an electron beam ion trap are investigated as a laboratory complement of the moderate-resolution observation bands of the AIA experiment on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) spacecraft. The latter observations depend on dominant iron lines of various charge states which in combination yield temperature information on the solar plasma. Our measurements suggest additions to the spectral models that are used in the SDO data interpretation. In the process, we also note a fair number of inconsistencies among the wavelength reference data bases.

Kelvin–Helmholtz instability of magnetohydrodynamic waves propagating on solar surges

In the present paper, we study the evolutionary conditions for Kelvin--Helmholtz (KH) instability in a high-temperature solar surge observed in NOAA AR11271 using the Solar Dynamics Observatory data on 2011 August 25. We study the propagation of normal MHD modes in a flux tube considering the two cases, notably of untwisted magnetic flux tube and the twisted one. The numerical solution to the dispersion relation shows that the kink ($m = 1$) wave traveling in an untwisted flux tube becomes unstable if the jet speed exceeds $1060$ km\,s$^{-1}$ -- a speed which is inaccessible for solar surges. A weak twist (the ratio of azimuthal to longitudinal magnetic field component) of the internal magnetic field in the range of $0.025$--$0.2$ does not change substantially the critical flow velocity. Thus, one implies that, in general, the kink mode is stable against the KH instability. It turns out, however, that the $m = -2$ and $m = -3$ MHD modes can become unstable when the twist parameter has values between $0.2$ and $0.4$. Therefore, the corresponding critical jet speed for instability onset lies in the range of $93.5$--$99.3$ km\,s$^{-1}$. The instability wave growth rate, depending on the value of the wavelength, is of the order of several dozen inverse milliseconds. It remains to be seen whether these predictions will be observationally validated in future in the coronal jet-like structures in abundant measure.

Comparison between Hinode/SOT and SDO/HMI, AIA data for the study of the solar flare trigger process

Abstract Understanding the mechanism that produces solar flares is important not only from the scientific point of view but also for improving space weather predictability. There are numerous observational and computational studies that have attempted to reveal the onset mechanism of solar flares. However, the underlying mechanism of flare onset remains elusive. To elucidate the flare trigger mechanism, we analyzed several flare events which were observed by Hinode/Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) in our previous study. Because of the limitation of the SOT field of view, however, only four events in the Hinode data sets have been usable. Therefore, increasing the number of events is required for evaluating the flare trigger models. We investigated the applicability of data obtained by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to increase the data sample for a statistical analysis of the flare trigger process. SDO regularly observes the full disk of the sun and all flares, although its spatial resolution is lower than that of Hinode. We investigated the M6.6 flare which occurred on 2011 February 13, and compared the analyzed data of SDO with the results of our previous study using Hinode/SOT data. Filter and vector magnetograms obtained by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager and filtergrams from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) 1600 Å were employed. From the comparison of small-scale magnetic configurations and chromospheric emission prior to the flare onset, we confirmed that the trigger region is detectable with the SDO data. We also measured the magnetic shear angles of the active region and the azimuth and strength of the flare trigger field. The results were consistent with our previous study. We concluded that statistical studies of the flare trigger process are feasible with SDO as well as Hinode data. We also investigated the temporal evolution of the magnetic field before the flare onset with SDO.

South Korea's renewed focus on space weather

South Korea's renewed focus on space weather

Computer Vision for the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)

In Fall 2008 NASA selected a large international consortium to produce a comprehensive automated feature-recognition system for the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The SDO data that we consider are all of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) images plus surface magnetic-field images from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI). We produce robust, very efficient, professionally coded software modules that can keep up with the SDO data stream and detect, trace, and analyze numerous phenomena, including flares, sigmoids, filaments, coronal dimmings, polarity inversion lines, sunspots, X-ray bright points, active regions, coronal holes, EIT waves, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), coronal oscillations, and jets. We also track the emergence and evolution of magnetic elements down to the smallest detectable features and will provide at least four full-disk, nonlinear, force-free magnetic field extrapolations per day. The detection of CMEs and filaments is accomplished with Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)/Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) and ground-based Hα data, respectively. A completely new software element is a trainable feature-detection module based on a generalized image-classification algorithm. Such a trainable module can be used to find features that have not yet been discovered (as, for example, sigmoids were in the pre-Yohkoh era). Our codes will produce entries in the Heliophysics Events Knowledgebase (HEK) as well as produce complete catalogs for results that are too numerous for inclusion in the HEK, such as the X-ray bright-point metadata. This will permit users to locate data on individual events as well as carry out statistical studies on large numbers of events, using the interface provided by the Virtual Solar Observatory. The operations concept for our computer vision system is that the data will be analyzed in near real time as soon as they arrive at the SDO Joint Science Operations Center and have undergone basic processing. This will allow the system to produce timely space-weather alerts and to guide the selection and production of quicklook images and movies, in addition to its prime mission of enabling solar science. We briefly describe the complex and unique data-processing pipeline, consisting of the hardware and control software required to handle the SDO data stream and accommodate the computer-vision modules, which has been set up at the Lockheed-Martin Space Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL), with an identical copy at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO).