Rapid changes of sunspot structure associated with solar eruptions

Haimin Wang, Chang Liu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

In this paper we summarize the studies of flare-related changes of photospheric magnetic fields. When vector magnetograms are available, we always find an increase of transverse field at the polarity inversion line (PIL). We also discuss 1 minute cadence line-of-sight MDI magnetogram observations, which usually show prominent changes of magnetic flux contained in the flaring α spot region. The observed limb-ward flux increases while disk-ward flux decreases rapidly and irreversibly after flares. These observations provides evidences, either direct or indirect, for the theory and prediction of Hudson, Fisher &Welsch (2008) that the photospheric magnetic fields would respond to coronal field restructuring and turn to a more horizontal state near the PIL after eruptions. From the white-light observations, we find that at flaring PIL, the structure becomes darker after an eruption, while the peripheral penumbrae decay. Using highresolution Hinode data, we find evidence that only dark fibrils in the "uncombed" penumbral structure disappear while the bright grains evolve to G-band bright points after flares.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Physics of Sun and Star Spots
PublisherCambridge University Press
Pages15-20
Number of pages6
EditionS273
ISBN (Print)9780521760621
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2011

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
NumberS273
Volume6
ISSN (Print)1743-9213
ISSN (Electronic)1743-9221

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • Sun: activity
  • Sun: coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
  • Sun: flares
  • Sun: magnetic fields

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rapid changes of sunspot structure associated with solar eruptions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this