The Temperature-Dependent Nature of Coronal Dimmings

The opening-up of the magnetic field during solar eruptive events is often accompanied by a dimming of the local coronal emission. From observations of filament eruptions recorded with the Extreme-Ultraviolet Imager on STEREO during 2008–2009, it is evident that these dimmings are much more pronounced in 19.5 nm than in the lower-temperature line 17.1 nm, as viewed either on the disk or above the limb. We conclude that most of the cooler coronal plasma is not ejected but remains gravitationally bound when the loops open up. This result is consistent with Doppler measurements by Imada and coworkers, who found that the upflow speeds in a transient coronal hole increased dramatically above a temperature of 1 MK; it is also consistent with the quasistatic behavior of polar plumes, as compared with the hotter interplume regions that are the main source of the fast solar wind. When the open flux reconnects and closes down again, the trapped plasma is initially heated to such high temperatures that it is no longer visible at Fe IX 17.1 nm. Correspondingly, 17.1 nm images show a dark ribbon or “heat wave” propagating away from the polarity inversion line and coinciding with the brightened Fe XV 28.4 nm and Fe XII 19.5 nm post-eruptive loops and their footpoint areas. Such dark ribbons provide a clear example of dimmings that are not caused by a density depletion. The propagation of the “heat wave” is driven by the closing-down, not the opening-up, of flux and can be observed both off-limb and on-disk. Subject headings: Sun: corona — Sun: coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — Sun: filaments, prominences — Sun: magnetic topology — solar wind — Sun: UV radiation Royal Observatory of Belgium, Ringlaan 3 1180 Brussels, Belgium Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave SW, Washington, DC 20375-5352, USA Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE JUL 2010 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2010 to 00-00-2010 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE The Temperature-Dependent Nature of Coronal Dimmings 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER