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Rapid sunspot motion during a major solar flare

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Abstract

A major solar flare on 15 November, 1991 produced a striking perturbation in the position and shape of the sunspot related most closely to the flare. We have studied these perturbations by use of the aspect-sensor images from the Soft X-ray Telescope on board YOHKOH, and with ground-based data from the Mees Solar Observatory. The perturbation occurred during the impulsive phase of the flare, with a total displacement on the order of 1 arc sec. The apparent velocity of approximately 2 km s−1 exceeds that typically reported for sunspot proper motions even in flare events. We estimate that the magnetic energy involved in displacing the sunspot amounted to less than 4 × 1030 ergs, comparable to the radiant energy from the perturbed region. Examination of the Mees Observatory data shows that the spot continued moving at lower speed for a half-hour after the impulsive phase. The spot perturbation appears to have been a result of the coronal restructuring and flare energy release, rather than its cause.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kwasan and Hida Observatories, Kyoto University, Yamashina-ku, 607, Kyoto, Japan

    B. Anwar

  2. Ionospheric Research and Development Centre, National Institute of Aeronautics and Space, Jl. Dr. Junjunan 135, 40173, Bandung, Indonesia

    B. Anwar

  3. Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory, 3251 Hanover St., 94304, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    L. W. Acton

  4. Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, 2680 Woodlawn Dr., 96822, Honolulu, HI, USA

    H. S. Hudson

  5. Kwasan and Hida Observatories, Kyoto University, Yamashina-ku, 607, Kyoto, Japan

    M. Makita

  6. Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, 2680 Woodlawn Dr., 96822, Honolulu, HI, USA

    A. N. McClymont

  7. Institute of Astronomy, University of Tokyo, Osawa, Mitaka, 181, Tokyo, Japan

    S. Tsuneta

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  1. B. Anwar
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  2. L. W. Acton
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  3. H. S. Hudson
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  5. A. N. McClymont
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  6. S. Tsuneta
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Anwar, B., Acton, L.W., Hudson, H.S. et al. Rapid sunspot motion during a major solar flare. Sol Phys 147, 287–303 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690719

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00690719

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