Observations of the Failed Eruption of a Filament

Details Observations of the Failed Eruption of a Filament Observations of the Failed Eruption of a Filament

Oct 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003apj...595l.135j&link_type=abstract

The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 595, Issue 2, pp. L135-L138.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

54

Sun: Chromosphere, Sun: Corona, Sun: Magnetic Fields, Sun: X-Rays, Gamma Rays

Scientific paper

We have observed the fine temporal and spatial structure of a filament eruption on 2002 May 27 following an M2-class flare. Our observations at Big Bear Solar Observatory were made at the wavelength of Hα 1.3 Å, with a cadence of 40 ms. The event was also observed by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) at X-ray energies from 3 to 50 keV and by the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) in poFe XII 195 Å. The event appears to be a ``failed eruption,'' as the filament material, seen in absorption by TRACE, first accelerated then decelerated as it approached its peak height of ~8×104 km while the filament threads drained back to the Sun. The fact that the eruption did not lead to a coronal mass ejection indicates that the coronal magnetic field near ~8×104 km did not open during the flare. The height-time curve obtained from the TRACE 195 Å images during the deceleration phase shows that the deceleration of the filament exceeded the gravitational deceleration by more than a factor of 10, which suggests that the filament material was pulled back by magnetic tension. Also of importance are three sequential but cospatial features-brightenings in EUV, a loop-top hard X-ray emission, and ``rupturing'' of the Hα filament-that point to a release of energy (and probably magnetic reconnection) above the initial filament's location but well below its terminal height. Reconnection above a filament does not appear in most models, with the notable exception of quadrupolar and ``breakout'' models. These observations provide evidence that at least two conditions are required for a successful eruption: a reconnection very low in the corona (possibly above the filament) and open or opening fields above that point.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Observations of the Failed Eruption of a Filament does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Observations of the Failed Eruption of a Filament, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observations of the Failed Eruption of a Filament will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-913047