X-ray observations of filament eruption in the 1980 May 21 flare

Abstract

X-ray and Hc~ observations of an erupting filament, discussed herein, and other observations of the associated flare on 1980 May 21, suggest that an erupting filament played a major role in the X-ray flare. While Antonueci etaL (1985) analyzed the May 21 flare as one of the best cases of chromospheric evaporation, the possible contribution from X-ray emitting erupting plasma has been ignored. We show that pre-heated plasma existed and may have contributed part of the blue-shifted X-ray emission observed in the Ca xIx line, which was formerly attributed solely to chromospheric evaporation. Thus it remains an open question -in two-ribbon flares in particular -just how important chromospheric evaporation is in flare dynamics.

Evidence for the Flare Trigger Site and Three‐Dimensional Reconnection in Multiwavelength Observations of a Solar Flare

“…Following the extensive theoretical and observational e †ort stimulated by SMM, this combination is now generally interpreted as chromospheric evaporationÈthe upward expansion of the rapidly heated chromosphere into a loop, following energy deposition by the beam which produced the HXRs, or by a heat Ñux. Our models and observations suggest a di †erent scenario for this Ñare, one which recalls an interpretation of hot Ñare-related up-Ñows as being due to ejection of heated Ðlament material (e.g., Bachelor & Hindsley 1991).…”

Hα and Hard X‐Ray Observations of a Two‐Ribbon Flare Associated with a Filament Eruption

“…1 (the lower panels) that the filament does not always appear in absorption (dark features); in stead, some parts may appear in emission (bright features) in the Hα blue wing. This implies either an ejection of heated plasma (Batchelor & Hindsley 1991) or a heating of the filament material during its eruption. Note that such an emission feature appears especially in the impulsive phase.…”

“…This implies either an ejection of heated plasma (Batchelor & Hindsley 1991) or a heating of the filament material during its eruption. Note that such an emission feature appears especially in the impulsive phase.…”