arXiv subjects

Yumi Bamba

Publications and source records attributed to Yumi Bamba.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

A Data-constrained Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of the X1.0 Solar Flare of 2021 October 28

The solar active region NOAA 12887 produced a strong X1.0 flare on 2021 October 28, which exhibits X-shaped flare ribbons and a circle-shaped erupting filament. To understand the eruption process with these characteristics, we conducted a data-constrained magnetohydrodynamics simulation using a nonlinear force-free field of the active region about an hour before the flare as the initial condition. Our simulation reproduces the filament eruption observed in the Ha images of GONG and the 304 angstrom images of SDO/AIA and suggests that two mechanisms can possibly contribute to the magnetic eruption. One is the torus instability of the pre-existing magnetic flux rope (MFR), and the other is upward pushing by magnetic loops newly formed below the MFR via continuous magnetic reconnection between two sheared magnetic arcades. The presence of this reconnection is evidenced by the SDO/AIA observations of the 1600 angstrom brightening in the footpoints of the sheared arcades at the flare onset. To clarify which process is more essential for the eruption, we performed an experimental simulation in which the reconnection between the sheared field lines is suppressed. In this case too, the MFR could erupt, but at a much reduced rising speed. We interpret this result as indicating that the eruption is not only driven by the torus instability, but additionally accelerated by newly formed and rising magnetic loops under continuous reconnection.

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arXiv2021

An MHD Modeling of Successive X2.2 and X9.3 Solar Flares of 2017 September 6

Solar active region 12673 produced two successive X-class flares (X2.2 and X9.3) approximately 3 hours apart in September 2017. The X9.3 was the recorded largest solar flare in Solar Cycle 24. In this study we perform a data-constrained magnetohydrodynamic simulation taking into account the observed photospheric magnetic field to reveal the initiation and dynamics of the X2.2 and X9.3 flares. According to our simulation, the X2.2 flare is first triggered by magnetic reconnection at a local site where at the photosphere the negative polarity intrudes into the opposite-polarity region. This magnetic reconnection expels the innermost field lines upward beneath which the magnetic flux rope is formed through continuous reconnection with external twisted field lines. Continuous magnetic reconnection after the X2.2 flare enhances the magnetic flux rope, which is lifted up and eventually erupts via the torus instability. This gives rise to the X9.3 flare.

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arXiv2020

Intrusion of Magnetic Peninsula toward the Neighboring Opposite-polarity Region That Triggers the Largest Solar Flare in Solar Cycle 24

The largest X9.3 solar flare in solar cycle 24 and the preceding X2.2 flare occurred on September 6, 2017, in the solar active region NOAA 12673. This study aims to understand the onset mechanism of these flares via analysis of multiple observational datasets from the Hinode and Solar Dynamics Observatory and results from a non-linear force-free field extrapolation. The most noticeable feature is the intrusion of a major negative-polarity region, appearing similar to a peninsula, oriented northwest into a neighboring opposite-polarity region. We also observe proxies of magnetic reconnection caused by related to the intrusion of the negative peninsula: rapid changes of the magnetic field around the intruding negative peninsula; precursor brightening at the tip of the negative peninsula, including a cusp-shaped brightening that shows a transient but significant downflow (~100 km/s) at a leg of the cusp; a dark tube-like structure that appears to be a magnetic flux rope that erupted with the X9.3 flare; and coronal brightening along the dark tube-like structure that appears to represent the electric current generated under the flux rope. Based on these observational features, we propose that (1) the intrusion of the negative peninsula was critical in promoting the push-mode magnetic reconnection that forms and grows a twisted magnetic flux rope that erupted with the X2.2 flare, (2) the continuing intrusion progressing even beyond the X2.2 flare is further promoted to disrupt the equilibrium that leads the reinforcement of the magnetic flux rope that erupted with the X9.3 flare.

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arXiv2019

The Role of a Tiny Brightening in a Huge Geo-effective Solar Eruption Leading to the St Patrick's Day Storm

The largest magnetic storm in solar cycle 24 was caused by a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) that was related to a small C9.1 flare that occurred on 15 March 2015 in solar active region (AR) NOAA 12297. The purpose of this study is to understand the onset mechanism of the geo-effective huge solar eruption. We focused on the C2.4 flare that occurred prior to the C9.1 flare of the filament eruption. The magnetic field structure in the AR was complicated: there were several filaments including the one that erupted and caused the CME. We hence carefully investigated the photospheric magnetic field, brightenings observed in the solar atmosphere, and the three-dimensional coronal magnetic field extrapolated from nonlinear force-free field modeling, using data from Hinode and Solar Dynamics Observatory. We found three intriguing points : (1) There was a compact but noticeably highly twisted magnetic field structure that is represented by a small filament in the C2.4 flaring region, where a tiny precursor brightening was observed before the C2.4 flare. (2) The C2.4 flaring region is located in the vicinity of a foot point of the closed field that prohibits the filament from erupting. (3) The filament shows a sudden eruption after the C2.4 flare and accompanying small filament eruption. From our analysis, we suggest that a small magnetic disturbance that was represented by the tiny precursor brightening at the time of the C2.4 flare is related to the trigger of the huge filament eruption.

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arXiv2018

Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling of a Solar Eruption Associated with X9.3 Flare Observed in Active Region 12673

On SOL2017-09-06 solar active region 12673 produced an X9.3 flare which is regarded as largest to occur in solar cycle 24. In this work we have preformed a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation in order to reveal the three-dimensional (3D) dynamics of the magnetic fields associated with the X9.3 solar flare. We first performed an extrapolation of the 3D magnetic field based on the observed photospheric magnetic field prior to the flare and then used it as the initial condition for an MHD simulation. Consequently, the simulation showed a dramatic eruption. In particular, we found that a large coherent flux rope composed of highly twisted magnetic field lines is formed during the eruption. A series of small flux ropes are found to lie along a magnetic polarity inversion line prior to the flare. Reconnection occurring between each small flux rope during the early stages of the eruption forms the large and highly twisted flux rope.Furthermore, we found a writhing motion of the erupting flux rope. The understanding of these dynamics is important in increasing the accuracy of space weather forecasting. We report on the detailed dynamics of the 3D eruptive flux rope and discuss the possible mechanisms of the writhing motion.

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arXiv2018

A Study of Magnetic Field Characteristics of Flaring Active Region Based on Nonlinear Force-free Field Extrapolation

Coronal magnetic fields are responsible for the onset of solar flares and solar eruptions. However, the type of magnetic field parameters that can be used to measure the critical condition for a solar eruption is still unclear. As an effort to understand the possible condition for a solar flare, we have examined the non-dimensional parameter $κ$ introduced by Ishiguro & Kusano (2017), which contains information about magnetic twist distribution and magnetic flux in an active region (AR). We introduce a new parameter $κ^\ast$, as a proxy for $κ$, and we have analyzed the evolution of $κ^\ast$ during the flaring period of an AR using the nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) extrapolated from the photospheric vector magnetic field data. Using data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), we have calculated $κ^\ast$ for the AR NOAA 11158 during its three-day flaring period. We found that $κ^\ast$ increased to a certain level before two large flares and decreased significantly after their onset. The results suggest that $κ^\ast$ may be used as an indicator of the necessary condition for the onset of a solar eruption in the AR. Based on this result, we propose a new method to assess the possibility of a large solar eruption from an AR by combining the parameter $κ^\ast$ and information about the magnetic energy of the AR.

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arXiv2018

Evaluation of Applicability of a Flare Trigger Model based on Comparison of Geometric Structures

The triggering mechanism(s) and critical condition(s) of solar flares are still not completely clarified, although various studies have attempted to elucidate them. We have also proposed a theoretical flare-trigger model based on MHD simulations Kusano et al. 2012, in which two types of small-scale bipole field, the so-called Opposite Polarity (OP) and Reversed Shear (RS) types of field, can trigger flares. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of our flare-trigger model to observation of 32 flares that were observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), by focusing on geometrical structures. We classified the events into six types, including the OP and RS types, based on photospheric magnetic field configuration, presence of precursor brightenings, and shape of the initial flare ribbons. As a result, we found that approximately 30% of the flares were consistent with our flare-trigger model, and the number of RS type triggered flares is larger than that of the OP type. We found none of the sampled events contradicts our flare model, although we cannot clearly determine the trigger mechanism of 70% of the flares in this study. We carefully investigated the applicability of our flare-trigger model and the possibility that other models can explain the other 70% of the events. Consequently, we concluded that our flare-trigger model has certainly proposed important conditions for flare-triggering.

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arXiv2017

Triggering Process of the X1.0 Three-ribbon Flare in the Great Active Region NOAA 12192

The solar magnetic field in a flare-producing active region (AR) is much more complicated than theoretical models, which assume a very simple magnetic field structure. The X1.0 flare, which occurred in AR 12192 on 2014 October 25, showed a complicated three-ribbon structure. To clarify the trigger process of the flare and to evaluate the applicability of a simple theoretical model, we analyzed the data from Hinode/Solar Optical Telescope and the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager, Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. We investigated the spatio-temporal correlation between the magnetic field structures, especially the non-potentiality of the horizontal field, and the bright structures in the solar atmosphere. As a result, we determined that the western side of the positive polarity, which is intruding on a negative polarity region, is the location where the flare was triggered. This is due to the fact that the sign of the magnetic shear in that region was opposite that of the major shear of the AR, and the significant brightenings were observed over the polarity inversion line (PIL) in that region before flare onset. These features are consistent with the recently proposed flare-trigger model that suggests that small reversed shear (RS) magnetic disturbances can trigger solar flares. Moreover, we found that the RS field was located slightly off the flaring PIL, contrary to the theoretical prediction. We discuss the possibility of an extension of the RS model based on an extra numerical simulation. Our result suggests that the RS field has a certain flexibility for displacement from a highly sheared PIL, and that the RS field triggers more flares than we expected.

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arXiv2017

IRIS, Hinode, SDO, and RHESSI observations of a white light flare produced directly by non-thermal electrons

An X1.6 flare occurred in AR 12192 on 2014 October 22 at 14:02 UT and was observed by Hinode, IRIS, SDO, and RHESSI. We analyze a bright kernel which produces a white light (WL) flare with continuum enhancement and a hard X-ray (HXR) peak. Taking advantage of the spectroscopic observations of IRIS and Hinode/EIS, we measure the temporal variation of the plasma properties in the bright kernel in the chromosphere and corona. We found that explosive evaporation was observed when the WL emission occurred, even though the intensity enhancement in hotter lines is quite weak. The temporal correlation of the WL emission, HXR peak, and evaporation flows indicate that the WL emission was produced by accelerated electrons. To understand the white light emission process, we calculated the energy flux deposited by non- thermal electrons (observed by RHESSI) and compared it to the dissipated energy estimated from a chromospheric line (Mg II triplet) observed by IRIS. The deposited energy flux from the non-thermal electrons is about 3 ~ 7.7 X 10^(10) erg cm^(-2) s^(-1) for a given low energy cut-off of 30 ~ 40 keV, assuming the thick target model. The energy flux estimated from the temperature changes in the chromosphere measured using the Mg II subordinate line is about 4.6 - 6.7 X 10(9) erg cm^(-2) s^(-1): ~6-22% of the deposited energy. This comparison of estimated energy fluxes implies that the continuum enhancement was directly produced by the non-thermal electrons.

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arXiv2014

Coronal Behavior Before the Large Flare Onset

Flares are a major explosive event in our solar system. They are often followed by coronal mass ejection that has a potential to trigger the geomagnetic storms. There are various studies aiming to predict when and where the flares are likely to occur. Most of these studies mainly discuss the photospheric and chromospheric activity before the flare onset. In this paper we study the coronal features before the famous large flare occurrence on December 13th, 2006. Using the data from Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS), X-Ray Telescope (XRT), and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) /Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT), we discuss the coronal features in the large scale (~ a few 100 arcsec) before the flare onset. Our findings are as follows: 1) The upflows in and around active region start growing from ~10 to 30 km /s a day before the flare. 2) The expanding coronal loops are clearly observed a few hours before the flare. 3) Soft X-ray and EUV intensity are gradually reduced. 4) The upflows are further enhanced after the flare. From these observed signatures, we conclude that the outer part of active region loops with low density were expanding a day before the flare onset, and the inner part with high density were expanding a few hours before the onset.

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arXiv2014

Comparison between Hinode/SOT and SDO/HMI, AIA Data for the Study of the Solar Flare Trigger Process

To elucidate the flare trigger mechanism, we have analyzed several flare events which were observed by Hinode/Solar Optical Telescope (SOT), in our previous study. Because of the limitation of SOT field of view, however, only four events in the Hinode data sets have been utilizable. Therefore, increasing the number of events is required for evaluating the flare trigger models. We investigated the applicability of data obtained by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to increase the data sample for a statistical analysis of the flare trigger process. SDO regularly observes the full disk of the sun and all flares although its spatial resolution is lower than that of Hinode. We investigated the M6.6 flare which occurred on 13 February 2011 and compared the analyzed data of SDO with the results of our previous study using Hinode/SOT data. Filter and vector magnetograms obtained by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) and filtergrams from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) 1600A were employed. From the comparison of small-scale magnetic configurations and chromospheric emission prior to the flare onset, we confirmed that the trigger region is detectable with the SDO data. We also measured the magnetic shear angles of the active region and the azimuth and strength of the flare-trigger field. The results were consistent with our previous study. We concluded that statistical studies of the flare trigger process are feasible with SDO as well as Hinode data. We also investigated the temporal evolution of the magnetic field before the flare onset with SDO.

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arXiv2014

High speed photospheric material flow observed at the polarity inversion line of a delta-type sunspot producing an X5.4 flare on 7 March 2012

Solar flares abruptly release the free energy stored as a non-potential magnetic field in the corona and may be accompanied by eruptions of the coronal plasma. Formation of a non-potential magnetic field and the mechanisms for triggering the onset of flares are still poorly understood. In particular, photospheric dynamics observed near those polarity inversion lines that are sites of major flare production have not been well observed with high spatial resolution spectro-polarimetry. This paper reports on a remarkable high-speed material flow observed along the polarity inversion line located between flare ribbons at the main energy release side of an X5.4 flare on 7 March 2012. Observations were carried out by the spectro-polarimeter of the Solar Optical Telescope onboard Hinode. The high-speed material flow was observed in the horizontally-oriented magnetic field formed nearly parallel to the polarity inversion line. This flow persisted from at least 6 hours before the onset of the flare, and continued for at least several hours after the onset of the flare. Observations suggest that the observed material flow represents neither the emergence nor convergence of the magnetic flux. Rather, it may be considered to be material flow working both to increase the magnetic shear along the polarity inversion line and to develop magnetic structures favorable for the onset of the eruptive flare.

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arXiv2013

Magnetic Systems Triggering the M6.6-class Solar Flare in NOAA Active Region 11158

We report a detailed event analysis on the M6.6-class flare in the active region (AR) NOAA 11158 on 2011 February 13. AR 11158, which consisted of two major emerging bipoles, showed prominent activities including one X- and several M-class flares. In order to investigate the magnetic structures related to the M6.6 event, particularly the formation process of a flare-triggering magnetic region, we analyzed multiple spacecraft observations and numerical results of a flare simulation. We observed that, in the center of this quadrupolar AR, a highly sheared polarity inversion line (PIL) was formed through proper motions of the major magnetic elements, which built a sheared coronal arcade lying over the PIL. The observations lend support to the interpretation that the target flare was triggered by a localized magnetic region that had an intrusive structure, namely a positive polarity penetrating into a negative counterpart. The geometrical relationship between the sheared coronal arcade and the triggering region was consistent with the theoretical flare model based on the previous numerical study. We found that the formation of the trigger region was due to a continuous accumulation of the small-scale magnetic patches. A few hours before the flare occurrence, the series of emerged/advected patches reconnected with a preexisting fields. Finally, the abrupt flare eruption of the M6.6 event started around 17:30 UT. Our analysis suggests that, in a triggering process of a flare activity, all magnetic systems of multiple scales, not only the entire AR evolution but also the fine magnetic elements, are altogether involved.

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