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S.M.H. Hill (NOAA Space Environment Center)
Important insights into the thermal and morphological evolution of solar eruptions are gained by analysis of high-cadence, multi-band observations. Of particular importance are synoptic observations, which can capture global data on extreme events. While rare, such intense activity can serve to highlight general principles with exceptional clarity. Presented here is a study of arcade and supra-arcade structures associated with the X28 limb flare of 2003 November 4. This flare holds the record for largest estimated soft X-ray (SXR) flux. Ha data from MLSO, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) data from SOHO EIT, and soft X-ray data from GOES-12 SXI are used to provide images covering plasma emission temperatures from 10000K to greater than 5 MK. This study explores the data from several perspectives. First, the observations are examined for persistence of loop structures as they cool through different instrument band passes and via examination of temperature and emission measure maps constructed from SXI data. Second, the data are examined for evidence of supra-arcade fans and downflows in the EUV and SXR bands. Third, arcade vertical temperature gradients and thermal evolution are examined and compared to a simple cooling model. Where appropriate, the properties of this extraordinary event are compared with those of more modest events. In the course of this work the occurrence of associated phenomena such as dimmings, pre-event brightening, and coronal waves are noted.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #2
© YEAR. The American Astronomical Soceity.