arXiv subjects

Sascha Ornig

Publications and source records attributed to Sascha Ornig.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Investigating white-light flare mechanisms via the Paschen jump using high-resolution continuum observations from the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope

The continuum is understood to contain a large portion of the energy emitted by a solar flare. The optical continuum, known as white light (WL), is particularly relevant since it may be observed by ground-based instruments. We measured the WL enhancements short- and longward of the Paschen jump in order to gain insights into the possible mechanism(s) behind the creation of these increases in our two case studies. We took measurements from the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope of the pseudo-continuum around the Ca II 8542 {\AA} line as well as the true continuum around the K I 7699 {\AA} and the Fe I 6173 {\AA} line, providing us with observations on both sides of the Paschen jump. We observe WL enhancements of over 40% against the dark (pen-) umbral background in both flares. The WL excess in flare 1 is co-temporal with the derivative of the GOES soft X-ray and hard X-ray (HXR) measurements from the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), and the flare is compatible with the Neupert effect. For flare 2, a preceding smaller flare may be the cause of the temporal discrepancy. Signatures of chromospheric evaporation and condensation are found in the WL area for both flares. The ratio of intensities blueward and redward of the Paschen jump in flare 1 is below one for most WL pixels. This is in disagreement with the accepted WL formation mechanisms. We believe this is a consequence of the Ca II 8542 {\AA} pseudo-continuum being affected by line wing opacity changes. The co-temporality of WL and HXR enhancements suggests that the WL emission enhancements in flare 1 (and parts of flare 2) are a result of direct electron precipitation. We conclude that more reliable continuum measurements free of any nearby line influence are necessary in order to obtain conclusive evidence for the formation mechanism(s) behind optical continuum enhancements from such analysis as presented in this work.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2026

Characterization of white-light enhancements under umbral conditions in one-dimensional simulations of solar flares

Solar flares with signatures in the optical continuum (white light, WL) pose a challenge to the standard flare model and to solar flare simulations. In particular, simulations are so far not able to convincingly reproduce observed WL enhancements. We investigate the effect of different electron beams on an umbral atmosphere and what the differences and similarities to the quiet-Sun response are. We characterized WL emission in one-dimensional simulations of solar flares using the radiation hydrodynamics code RADYN. We used a similar setup as the F-CHROMA grid, but with a starting atmosphere describing umbral conditions. We investigated the influence of different temporal profiles of an electron beam on this umbral atmosphere. Our simulations show maximum WL increases between 40 and 335%, which is comparable to observed values. The reduced umbral background is the main reason for these large increases. We identify hydrogen recombination in an optically thin chromosphere as the dominant process responsible for the increases, with the radiation from the heated photosphere becoming substantial in the later stages due to the longer timescale of the cooling of the photosphere compared to hydrogen recombination in the chromosphere. Shorter, more intense beams (i.e., beams with a higher maximum energy flux) lead to a faster and more dramatic atmospheric evolution. Such beams also cause larger WL enhancements due to a higher electron density in the relevant layers. Both the Balmer ratio and the Paschen ratio are substantially higher in our simulations compared to simulations with a quiet-Sun atmosphere. The detectability and amplitude of WL enhancements depends on the spectral and temporal structure of the electron beam as well as the underlying background radiation. The combination of a short, intense beam and an umbral atmosphere provides an excellent seed for substantial WL enhancements.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Predicted white-light solar flare emission from the F-CHROMA grid of models

Much of a solar flare's energy is thought to be released in the continuum. The optical continuum (white light) is of special interest due to the ability to observe it from the ground. We aim to investigate the prevalence of white-light (WL) emissions in simulations of purely electron beam-driven solar flares, what determines the occurrence of these enhancements, and the underlying causes. We utilized the F-CHROMA grid of flare simulations created using the radiative hydrodynamics code RADYN. We probed the spectral index, total energy, and low-energy cutoff to draw conclusions about their relationships to the white-light intensity. Furthermore, we calculated the 6684 {\AA} continuum intensities, the Balmer, and the Paschen ratios. Finally, we analyzed two particular cases, one with high 6684 {\AA} intensity and one with a large Balmer ratio, to determine the dominant mechanisms in these simulations. 33 of the 84 flares included in the F-CHROMA grid show white-light intensity enhancements that exceed 0.1% relative to the pre-flare level. We conclude that, with the parameters presented in the F-CHROMA grid, purely electron beam-driven simulations of solar flares are not able to reproduce observed WL enhancements, as the maximum enhancements in the grid are below 4%. The total energy (which is correlated with the maximum beam flux) is the main factor for deciding whether excess white-light emissions will be detectable. There is a linear relationship between the Balmer (and Paschen) ratio and the relative continuum increase. Both case studies show that during the time of maximum WL excess, hydrogen ionization and subsequent recombination in an optically thin medium is the dominant mechanism for WL continuum emission enhancements. Increased H$^-$ emission in the photosphere as a result of radiative backwarming becomes dominant during the declining phase of WL emissions in both case studies.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2025

Extreme ultraviolet late-phase flares as observed by EVE and AIA on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory

Context. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) late-phase (ELP) flares exhibit a second peak in warm coronal emissions minutes to hours after the main peak of the flare. This phase is all but negligible, and it is still poorly understood what role it plays across the solar cycle and what governs it. Aims. We present a statistical analysis of ELP flares over four years between May 2010 and May 2014 based on properties such as eruptivity, magnetic configuration, and late-phase duration, delay, and strength in order to understand what influences the likelihood of this class of flares and their behavior on a general scale. Methods. We primarily made use of data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Extreme ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), as well as complementary spatial information provided by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), to assess relationships between the various parameters and to see if ELP flares differ from the general flare population. We quantified the criteria for ELP flare definition and determined the characteristics of the flares. Results. Our analysis shows that about 10\% of all flares with a GOES class $\geq$C3.0 experience an EUV late phase (179 out of 1803). This percentage decreases from solar minimum to solar maximum. C-class flares are considerably less likely to be identified as ELP flares than their higher-energy counterparts, which is in line with previous investigations. The majority of this type of flare are confined (67%), more so than in the general flare population ($\geq$C5.0). There appears to be a (linear) relationship between the late-phase delay and its duration. The ratio of the emission peak of the late and main flare phase lies between 0.3 and 5.9, and exceeds 1 in 71.5% of cases, which is considerably higher than previously reported.

astro-ph.SR↗