Wednesday, March 7, 2012

1203.1277 (Michael S. Kirk et al.)

Sequential Chomospheric Brightening: An Automated Approach to Extracting Physics from Ephemeral Brightening    [PDF]

Michael S. Kirk, K. S. Balasubramaniam, Jason Jackiewicz, R. T. James McAteer, Bernie J. McNamara
We make a comparison between small scale chromospheric brightenings and energy release processes through examining the temporal evolution of sequential chromospheric brightenings (SCBs), derive propagation velocities, and propose a connection of the small-scale features to solar flares. Our automated routine detects and distinguishes three separate types of brightening regularly observed in the chromosphere: plage, flare ribbon, and point brightenings. By studying their distinct dynamics, we separate out the flare-associated bright points commonly known as SCBs and identify a propagating Moreton wave. Superimposing our detections on complementary off-band images, we extract a Doppler velocity measurement beneath the point brightening locations. Using these dynamic measurements, we put forward a connection between point brightenings, the erupting flare, and overarching magnetic loops. A destabilization of the pre-flare loop topology by the erupting flare directly leads to the SCBs observed.
View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1203.1277

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