Successive occurrences of quasi-circular ribbon flares in a fan-spine-like configuration involving hyperbolic flux tube

We present a comprehensive analysis of the formation and evolution of a fan-spine-like configuration that developed over a complex photospheric configuration where dispersed negative polarity regions were surrounded by positive polarity regions. This unique photospheric configuration, analogous to the geological “atoll” shape, hosted four homologous flares within its boundary. Computation of the degree of squashing factor (Q) maps clearly revealed an elongated region of high Q-values between the inner and outer spine-like lines, implying the presence of an hyperbolic flux tube (HFT). The coronal region associated with the photospheric atoll configuration was distinctly identified in the form of a diffused dome-shaped bright structure directly observed in EUV images. A filament channel resided near the boundary of the atoll region. The activation and eruption of flux ropes from the filament channel led to the onset of four eruptive homologous quasi-circular ribbon flares within an interval of ≈11 hours. During the interval of the four flares, we observed continuous decay and cancellation of negative polarity flux within the atoll region. Accordingly, the apparent length of the HFT gradually reduced to a null-point-like configuration before the fourth flare. Prior to each flare, we observed localised brightening beneath the filaments which, together with flux cancellation, provided support for the tether-cutting model of solar eruption. The analysis of magnetic decay index revealed favourable conditions for the eruption, once the pre-activated flux ropes attained the critical heights for torus instability.

On the partial eruption of a bifurcated solar filament structure

ABSTRACT The partial eruption of a filament channel with bifurcated substructures is investigated using data sets obtained from both ground-based and space-borne facilities. Small-scale flux reconnection/cancellation events in the region triggered the pile-up of ambient magnetic field, observed as bright extreme ultraviolet (EUV) loops in close proximity to the filament channel. This led to the formation of a V-shaped cusp structure at the site of interaction between the coalesced EUV loops and the filament channel, with the presence of distinct plasmoid structures and associated bidirectional flows. Analysis of imaging data from SDO/AIA further suggests vertical splitting of the filament structure into two substructures. The perturbed upper branch of the filament structure rose up and erupted with the onset of an energetic GOES M1.4 flare at 04:30 ut on 2015 January 28. The estimated twist number and squashing factor obtained from non-linear force free-field extrapolation of the magnetic field data support the vertical split in the filament structure with high twist in the upper substructure. The loss in equilibrium of the upper branch due to torus instability implies that this is a potential triggering mechanism for the observed partial eruption.

Horizontal photospheric flows trigger a filament eruption

Context. A large filament composed principally of two sections erupted sequentially in the southern hemisphere on January 26, 2016. The central, thick part of the northern section was first lifted up and lead to the eruption of the full filament. This event was observed in Hα with the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) and Christian Latouche IMageur Solaire (CLIMSO), and in ultraviolet (UV) with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) imager on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO). Aims. The aim of the paper is to relate the photospheric motions below the filament and its environment to the eruption of the filament. Methods. An analysis of the photospheric motions using Solar Dynamic Observatory Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (SDO/HMI) continuum images with the new version of the coherent structure tracking (CST) algorithm developed to track granules, as well as large-scale photospheric flows, has been performed. Following velocity vectors, corks migrate towards converging areas. Results. The supergranule pattern is clearly visible outside the filament channel but difficult to detect inside because the modulus of the vector velocity is reduced in the filament channel, mainly in the magnetized areas. The horizontal photospheric flows are strong on the west side of the filament channel and oriented towards the filament. The ends of the filament sections are found in areas of concentration of corks. Whirled flows are found locally around the feet. Conclusions. The strong horizontal flows with an opposite direction to the differential rotation create strong shear and convergence along the magnetic polarity inversion line (PIL) in the filament channel. The filament has been destabilized by the converging flows, which initiate an ascent of the middle section of the filament until the filament reaches the critical height of the torus instability inducing, consequently, the eruption. The n decay index indicated an altitude of 60 Mm for the critical height. It is conjectured that the convergence along the PIL is due to the large-scale size cells of convection that transport the magnetic field to their borders.

A Comparison of Classifiers for Solar Energetic Events

We compare the results of using a Random Forest Classifier with the results of using Nonparametric Discriminant Analysis to classify whether a filament channel (in the case of a filament eruption) or an active region (in the case of a flare) is about to produce an event. A large number of descriptors are considered in each case, but it is found that only a small number are needed in order to get most of the improvement in performance over always predicting the majority class. There is little difference in performance between the two classifiers, and neither results in substantial improvements over simply predicting the majority class.