arXiv subjects

Liheng Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Liheng Yang.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Partial Eruption of Solar Filaments. I. Configuration and Formation of Double-decker Filaments

Partial eruptions of solar filaments are the typical representative of solar eruptive behavior diversity. Here we investigate a typical filament partial eruption event and present integrated evidence for configuration of the pre-eruption filament and its formation. The CHASE H$α$ observations reveal structured Doppler velocity distribution within the pre-eruption filament, where distinct redshift only appeared in the east narrow part of the south filament region and then disappeared after the partial eruption while the north part dominated by blueshift remained. Combining the SDO, ASO-S observations, and NLFFF modeling results, we verify that there were two independent material flow systems within the pre-flare filament, whose magnetic topology is a special double-decker configuration consisting of two magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) with opposite magnetic twist. During the formation of this filament system, continuous magnetic flux cancellation and footpoint motion were observed around its north end. Therefore, we propose a new double-decker formation scenario that the two MFRs composing such double-decker configuration originated from two magnetic systems with different initial connections and opposite magnetic twist. Subsequent magnetic reconnection with surrounding newly-emerging fields resulted in the motion of footpoint of the upper MFR to the region around footpoint of the lower MFR, thus leading to eventual formation of the double-decker configuration consisting of two MFRs with similar footpoints but opposite signs of magnetic twist. These results provide a potential way to determine unambiguously the progenitor configuration of a partial-eruptive filament and reveal a special type of double-decker MFR configuration and a new double-decker formation scenario.

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arXiv2022

A formation mechanism for the large plumes in the prominence

To understand the formation mechanism of large plumes in solar prominences, we investigate the formation process of two such phenomena. We studied the dynamic and thermal properties of two large plumes using observations from New Vacuum Solar Telescope, the Solar Dynamic Observatory, and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory-Ahead. We find that two large plumes observed with high-resolution data are quite different from previously studied small-scale plumes. They are born at the top of a prominence bubble with a large projected area of 10-20 Mm^2 . Before the occurrence of each large plume, the bubble expands and takes on a quasi-semicircular appearance. Meanwhile, the emission intensity of extreme-ultra-violet (EUV) bands increases in the bubble. A small-scale filament is found to erupt in the bubble during the second large plume. At the point at which the height of the bubble is comparable with half the width of the bubble, the bubble becomes unstable and generates the plumes. During the formation of plumes, two side edges of the top of the bubble, which are dominated by opposite Doppler signals, approach each other. The large plume then emerges and keeps rising up with a constant speed of about 13-15 km/s. These two large plumes have temperatures of 1.3 x 10^6 Kelvin and densities of 2.0 x 10^9 cm^-3, two orders hotter and one order less dense than the typical prominence. We also find that the bubble is a hot, low-density volume instead of a void region beneath the cold and dense prominence. Therefore, we conclude that these two large plumes are the result of the breakup of the prominence bubble triggered by an enhancement of thermal pressure; they separate from the bubble, most likely by magnetic reconnection.

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arXiv2021

Naked emergence of an anti-Hale active region I. Overall evolution and magnetic properties

{In order to understand the emergence of the active region, we investigate the emerging process and magnetic properties of a naked anti-Hale active region during the period between August 24 to 25, 2018.} {Using the data from Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Soar Dynamic Observatory and the New Vacuum Solar Telescope, we calculated different evolving parameters (such as pole separation, tilt angle) and magnetic parameters (such as vertical electric current, force-free parameter, relative magnetic helicity) during the emergence of the active region. With these calculated parameters and some reasonable assumptions, we use two different methods to estimate the twist of the active region.} {The magnetic flux and pole separation continue increasing while the tilt angle exhibits a decreasing pattern during the emergence of the active region. The increase of the pole separation is mainly contributed as a result of the enhancement in the longitude direction. A power-law relationship between pole separation and total flux is found during the emergence of the active region. On the other hand, it is found that both the positive and negative electric currents increased equivalently and the average flux-weighted force-free parameter $\tilde α$ remains almost consistently positive, on the order of $\sim$ 10$^{-8}$ m$^{-1}$. The relative magnetic helicity is mainly contributed by the shear term, while the relative magnetic helicity injection flux of the shear term changes its sign at the latter stage of the emergence. The twist number of the whole active region remains on the order of 10$^{-1}$ turns during the emergence of the active region.} {We find that the magnetic flux tube with low twist also could emerge into the solar atmosphere.}

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arXiv2020

A small-scale filament eruption inducing Moreton Wave, EUV Wave and Coronal Mass Ejection

With the launch of SDO, many EUV waves were observed during solar eruptions. However, the joint observations of Moreton and EUV waves are still relatively rare. We present an event that a small-scale filament eruption simultaneously results in a Moreton wave, an EUV wave and a Coronal Mass Ejection in active region NOAA 12740. Firstly, we find that some dark elongate lanes or filamentary structures in the photosphere existed under the small-scale filament and drifted downward, which manifests that the small-scale filament was emerging and lifting from subsurface. Secondly, combining the simultaneous observations in different Extreme UltraViolet (EUV) and H$α$ passbands, we study the kinematic characteristics of the Moreton and EUV waves. The comparable propagating velocities and the similar morphology of Moreton and different passbands EUV wavefronts were obtained. We deduce that Moreton and different passbands EUV waves were the perturbations in different temperature-associated layers induced by the coronal magneto-hydrodynamic shock wave. We also find the refracted, reflected and diffracted phenomena during the propagation of the EUV wave. By using power-law fittings, the kinematic characteristics of unaffected, refracted and diffracted waves were obtained. The extrapolation field derived by the potential field source surface (PFSS) model manifests that the existence of an interface of different magnetic system (magnetic separatrix) result in refraction, reflection and deviation of the EUV wave.

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arXiv2019

The formation and decay of sunspot penumbra in Active Region NOAA 12673

To better understand the formation and decay of sunspot penumbra, we studied the evolution of sunspots in the three regions of the active-region NOAA 12673 in detail. The evolution of sunspots in the three regions were all involved in the interaction of two magnetic field systems: the pre-existing magnetic field system and the later emerging magnetic field system. Through analyzing the photospheric magnetic field properties, it is found that the formation of the penumbra originated from the newly emerging magnetic bipole that were trapped in the photosphere. The change of magnetic fields in penumbra from horizontal to vertical can cause the disappearance of penumbra. The transformation of the magnetic field between the umbra and the penumbra is found and the outward moat flow around sunspot gradually decreased and vanished during the decay of sunspot. In addition, we found that the mean longitudinal magnetic strength in penumbra decreased and the mean transverse magnetic strength in penumbra increased with the increasing penumbral area during the formation of sunspots. However, during the decay of sunspots, the mean longitudinal magnetic strength in penumbra increased and the mean transverse magnetic strength in penumbra decreased with the decreasing penumbral area. Comparatively, the dependence of the area and the mean transverse/longitudinal magnetic field strength in umbra is not remarkable. These results reveal that the formation and decay process of umbra are different with penumbra.

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arXiv2019

Formation and material supply of an active-region filament associated with newly emerging flux

With the observations of SDO/AIA 304 Å and NVST Hα bands, we present the formation process of an active-region filament in active region NOAA 11903 during the period from 02:00 UT to 10:00 UT on November 25, 2013. A series of jets occurring in the vicinity of the south-western footpoint of the filament directly ejected cool and hot plasma to filament height and supplied material for the filament. Some newly emerging flux is found in the vicinity of the filament south-western footpoint during these jets. In this paper, we mainly focus on the material supply of the filament. The plasma mass uploaded by the jets and the mass of the filament are estimated, which manifests the fact that the mass carried by jets can supply sufficient material for the formation of the filament. We found two types of jets. one is H-alpha jet, and the other is EUV jet. The significant finding is that some cool jets seen in the Hα band but not in the SDO/AIA bands also could eject the cool material for the filament. These results suggest that cool plasma in the low atmosphere can be directly injected into the upper atmosphere and become the filament material by two types of jets. Moreover, the newly emerging flux with non-potential field plays an important role in the appearances of the jets and the magnetic structure of the filament.

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arXiv2017

Interaction of Two Active Region Filaments Observed by NVST and SDO

Using high spatial and temporal resolution H$α$ data from the New Vacuum Solar Telescope (NVST) and simultaneous observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), we present a rare event on the interaction between two filaments (F1 and F2) in AR 11967 on 2014 January 31. The adjacent two filaments were almost perpendicular to each other. Their interaction was driven by the movement of F1 and started when the two filaments collided with each other. During the interaction, the threads of F1 continuously slipped from the northeast to the southwest, accompanied by the brightenings at the junction of two filaments and the northeast footpoint of F2. Part of F1 and the main body of F2 became invisible in H$α$ wavelength due to the heating and the motion of F2. At the same time, bright material initiated from the junction of two filaments were observed to move along F1. The magnetic connectivities of F1 were found to be changed after their interaction. These observations suggest that magnetic reconnection was involved in the interaction of two filaments and resulted in the eruption of one filament.

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arXiv2013

SDO/AIA and Hinode/EIS Observations of Interaction Between an EUV Wave and Active Region Loops

We present detailed analysis of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wave and its interaction with active region (AR) loops observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly and the Hinode EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS). This wave was initiated from AR 11261 on 2011 August 4 and propagated at velocities of 430--910 km\s. It was observed to traverse another AR and cross over a filament channel on its path. The EUV wave perturbed neighboring AR loops and excited a disturbance that propagated toward the footpoints of these loops. EIS observations of AR loops revealed that at the time of the wave transit, the original redshift increased by about 3 km\s, while the original blueshift decreased slightly. After the wave transit, these changes were reversed. When the EUV wave arrived at the boundary of a polar coronal hole, two reflected waves were successively produced and part of them propagated above the solar limb. The first reflected wave above the solar limb encountered a large-scale loop system on its path, and a secondary wave rapidly emerged 144 Mm ahead of it at a higher speed. These findings can be explained in the framework of a fast-mode magnetosonic wave interpretation for EUV waves, in which observed EUV waves are generated by expanding coronal mass ejections.

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arXiv2013

The binary merger channel for the progenitor of the fastest rotating O-type star VFTS102

VFTS102 has a projected rotational velocity ($>$500\,km s$^{-1}$) and would appear to be the fastest rotating O-type star. We show that its high rotational velocity could be understood within the framework of the binary merger. In the binary merger channel, the progenitor binary of VFTS102 would evolve into contact while two components are still on the main sequence, and then merge into a rapidly rotating single star. Employing Eggleton's stellar evolution code, we performed binary stellar evolution calculations and mapped out the initial parameters of the progenitor of VFTS102 in the orbital period-mass ratio ($P-q$) plane. We found that the progenitor binary of VFTS102 with initial mass ratio $q_0 \la 0.7$ should have an initial orbital period shorter than $3.76-4.25$\,days, while above this mass ratio it should have an initial orbital period shorter than $1.44-1.55$\,days. The progenitor of VFTS102 would evolve into contact during the rapid mass transfer phase or during the subsequent slow mass transfer phase, and might ultimately merge into a rapidly rotating massive star. In addition, we performed Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the binary merger channel. We estimated the fraction of binaries that would merge into single stars and the fraction of single stars that might be produced from the binary merger channel. It is found that about 8.7% of binaries would evolve into contact and merge into rapidly rotating single stars, and about 17.1% of single stars might be produced from the binary merger channel and should have similar properties to VFTS102. This suggests that the binary merger channel might be one of the main channels for the formation of rapidly rotating massive stars like VFTS102.

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arXiv2011

The short-period limit of contact binaries

The stability of mass transfer is important in the formation of contact binaries from detached binaries when the primaries of the initially detached binaries fill their Roche lobes. Using Eggleton's stellar evolution code, we investigate the formation and the short-period limit of contact binaries by considering the effect of the instability of mass transfer. It is found that with decreasing initial primary mass from 0.89M$_{\rm \odot}$ to 0.63M$_{\rm \odot}$, the range of the initial mass ratio decreases for detached binaries that experience stable mass transfer and evolve into contact. If the initial primary mass is less than 0.63M$_{\rm \odot}$, detached binaries would experience dynamically unstable mass transfer when the primaries of detached binaries fill their Roche lobes. These systems would evolve into a common envelope situation and probably then to a complete merger of two components on a quite short timescale. This results in a low mass limit at about 0.63M$_{\rm \odot}$ for the primary mass of contact binaries, which might be a main reason why the period distribution of contact binaries has a short limit of about 0.22 days. By comparing the theoretical period distribution of contact binaries with the observational data, it is found that the observed contact binaries are above the low mass limit for the primary mass of contact binaries and no observed contact binaries are below this limit. This suggests that the short-period limit of contact binaries can be explained by the instability of the mass transfer that occurs when the primaries of the initially detached binaries fill their Roche lobes.

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arXiv2011

Observations of EUV and Soft X-ray Recurring Jets in an Active Region

We present simultaneous observations of three recurring jets in EUV and soft X-ray (SXR), which occurred in an active region on 2007 June 5. By comparing their morphological and kinematic characteristics in these two different wavelengths, we found that EUV and SXR jets had similar locations, directions, sizes and velocities. We also analyzed their spectral properties by using six spectral lines from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) on board Hinode, and found that these jets had temperatures from 0.05 to 2.0 MK and maximum electron densities from 6.6$\times10^{9}$ to 3.4$\times10^{10}$ cm$^{-3}$. For each jet, an elongated blue-shifted component and a red-shifted component at the jet base were simultaneously observed in Fe{\sc xii} $λ$195 and He{\sc ii} $λ$256 lines. The three jets had maximum Doppler velocities from 25 to 121 km s$^{-1}$ in Fe{\sc xii} $λ$195 line and from 115 to 232 km s $^{-1}$ in He{\sc ii} $λ$256 line. They had maximum non-thermal velocities from 98 to 181 km s$^{-1}$ in Fe{\sc xii} $λ$195 line and from 196 to 399 km s$^{-1}$ in He{\sc ii} $λ$256 line. We also examined the relationship between averaged Doppler velocities and maximum ionization temperatures of these three jets, and found that averaged Doppler velocities decreased with the increase of maximum ionization temperatures. In the photosphere, magnetic flux emergences and cancellations continuously took place at the jet base. These observational results were consistent with the magnetic reconnection jet model that magnetic reconnection between emerging magnetic flux and ambient magnetic field occurred in the lower atmosphere.

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