Large amplitude oscillatory motion along a solar filament

Large amplitude oscillations of solar filaments is a phenomenon known for more than half a century. Recently, a new mode of oscillations, characterized by periodical plasma motions along the filament axis, was discovered. We analyze such an event, recorded on 23 January 2002 in Big Bear Solar Observatory H$\alpha$ filtergrams, in order to infer the triggering mechanism and the nature of the restoring force. Motion along the filament axis of a distinct buldge-like feature was traced, to quantify the kinematics of the oscillatory motion. The data were fitted by a damped sine function, to estimate the basic parameters of the oscillations. In order to identify the triggering mechanism, morphological changes in the vicinity of the filament were analyzed. The observed oscillations of the plasma along the filament was characterized by an initial displacement of 24 Mm, initial velocity amplitude of 51 km/s, period of 50 min, and damping time of 115 min. We interpret the trigger in terms of poloidal magnetic flux injection by magnetic reconnection at one of the filament legs. The restoring force is caused by the magnetic pressure gradient along the filament axis. The period of oscillations, derived from the linearized equation of motion (harmonic oscillator) can be expressed as $P=\pi\sqrt{2}L/v_{A\phi}\approx4.4L/v_{A\phi}$, where $v_{A\phi} =B_{\phi0}/\sqrt{\mu_0\rho}$ represents the Alfv\'en speed based on the equilibrium poloidal field $B_{\phi0}$. Combination of our measurements with some previous observations of the same kind of oscillations shows a good agreement with the proposed interpretation.Comment: Astron. Astrophys., 2007, in pres

CME liftoff with high-frequency fragmented type II burst emission

Aims: Solar radio type II bursts are rarely seen at frequencies higher than a few hundred MHz. Since metric type II bursts are thought to be signatures of propagating shock waves, it is of interest to know how these shocks, and the type II bursts, are formed. In particular, how are high-frequency, fragmented type II bursts created? Are there differences in shock acceleration or in the surrounding medium that could explain the differences to the "typical" metric type IIs? Methods: We analyse one unusual metric type II event in detail, with comparison to white-light, EUV, and X-ray observations. As the radio event was associated with a flare and a coronal mass ejection (CME), we investigate their connection. We then utilize numerical MHD simulations to study the shock structure induced by an erupting CME in a model corona including dense loops. Results: Our simulations show that the fragmented part of the type II burst can be formed when a coronal shock driven by a mass ejection passes through a system of dense loops overlying the active region.To produce fragmented emission, the conditions for plasma emission have to be more favourable inside the loop than in the interloop area. The obvious hypothesis, consistent with our simulation model, is that the shock strength decreases significantly in the space between the denser loops. The later, more typical type II burst appears when the shock exits the dense loop system and finally, outside the active region, the type II burst dies out when the changing geometry no longer favours the electron shock-acceleration.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures, A&A accepte

Interaction of a Moreton/EIT wave and a coronal hole

We report high-cadence H-alpha observations of a distinct Moreton wave observed at Kanzelhoehe Solar Observatory associated with the 3B/X3.8 flare and CME event of 2005 January 17. The Moreton wave can be identified in about 40 H-alpha frames over a period of 7 min. The EIT wave is observed in only one frame but the derived propagation distance is close to that of the simultaneously measured Moreton wave fronts indicating that they are closely associated phenomena. The large angular extent of the Moreton wave allows us to study the wave kinematics in different propagation directions with respect to the location of a polar coronal hole (CH). In particular we find that the wave segment whose propagation direction is perpendicular to the CH boundary (``frontal encounter'') is stopped by the CH which is in accordance with observations reported from EIT waves (Thompson et al. 1998). However, we also find that at a tongue-shaped edge of the coronal hole, where the front orientation is perpendicular to the CH boundary (the wave ``slides along'' the boundary), the wave signatures can be found up to 100 Mm inside the CH. These findings are briefly discussed in the frame of recent modeling results.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in the Ap

Morphology and density of post-CME current sheets

Eruption of a coronal mass ejection (CME) drags and "opens" the coronal magnetic field, presumably leading to the formation of a large-scale current sheet and the field relaxation by magnetic reconnection. We analyze physical characteristics of ray-like coronal features formed in the aftermath of CMEs, to check if the interpretation of this phenomenon in terms of reconnecting current sheet is consistent with the observations. The study is focused on measurements of the ray width, density excess, and coronal velocity field as a function of the radial distance. The morphology of rays indicates that they occur as a consequence of Petschek-like reconnection in the large scale current sheet formed in the wake of CME. The hypothesis is supported by the flow pattern, often showing outflows along the ray, and sometimes also inflows into the ray. The inferred inflow velocities range from 3 to 30 km s$^{-1}$, consistent with the narrow opening-angle of rays, adding up to a few degrees. The density of rays is an order of magnitude larger than in the ambient corona. The density-excess measurements are compared with the results of the analytical model in which the Petschek-like reconnection geometry is applied to the vertical current sheet, taking into account the decrease of the external coronal density and magnetic field with height. The model results are consistent with the observations, revealing that the main cause of the density excess in rays is a transport of the dense plasma from lower to larger heights by the reconnection outflow

Combined STEREO/RHESSI study of CME acceleration and particle acceleration in solar flares

Using the potential of two unprecedented missions, STEREO and RHESSI, we study three well observed fast CMEs that occurred close to the limb together with their associated high energy flare emissions in terms of RHESSI HXR spectra and flux evolution. From STEREO/EUVI and STEREO/COR1 data the full CME kinematics of the impulsive acceleration phase up to 4 Rs is measured with a high time cadence of less equal 2.5 min. For deriving CME velocity and acceleration we apply and test a new algorithm based on regularization methods. The CME maximum acceleration is achieved at heights h < 0.4 Rs, the peak velocity at h < 2.1 Rs (in one case as small as 0.5 Rs). We find that the CME acceleration profile and the flare energy release as evidenced in the RHESSI hard X-ray flux evolve in a synchronized manner. These results support the standard flare/CME model which is characterized by a feed-back relationship between the large-scale CME acceleration process and the energy release in the associated flare.Comment: accepted for Ap