Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Automatic Detection and Extraction of Coronal Dimmings from SDO/AIA Data

  • Solar Image Processing and Analysis
  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The volume of data anticipated from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) highlights the necessity for the development of automatic-detection methods for various types of solar activity. Initially recognized in the 1970s, it is now well established that coronal dimmings are closely associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and they are particularly noted as a reliable indicator of front-side (halo) CMEs, which can be difficult to detect in white-light coronagraph data.

Existing work clearly demonstrates that several properties derived from the analysis of coronal dimmings can give useful information about the associated CME. The development and implementation of an automated coronal-dimming region detection and extraction algorithm removes visual observer bias, however unintentional, from the determination of physical quantities such as spatial location, area, and volume. This allows for reproducible, quantifiable results to be mined from very large data sets. The information derived may facilitate more reliable early space-weather detection, as well as offering the potential for conducting large-sample studies focused on determining the geo-effectiveness of CMEs, coupled with analysis of their associated coronal dimming signatures.

In this paper we present examples of both simple and complex dimming events extracted using our algorithm, which will be run as a module for the SDO/Computer Vision Centre. Contrasting and well-studied events at both the minimum and maximum of solar cycle 23 are identified in Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Extreme ultra-violet Imaging Telescope (SOHO/EIT) data. A more recent example extracted from Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory/Extreme Ultra-Violet Imager (STEREO/EUVI) data is also presented, demonstrating the potential for the anticipated application to SDO/AIA data. The detection part of our algorithm is based largely on the principle of operation of the NEMO software, namely the detection of significant variation in the statistics of the EUV image pixels (Podladchikova and Berghmans in Solar Phys. 228, 265 – 284, 2005). As well as running on historic data sets, the presented algorithm is capable of detecting and extracting coronal dimmings in near real-time.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aschwanden, M.J., Wuelser, J.P., Nitta, N.V., Lemen, J.R., Sandman, A.: 2009, First three-dimensional reconstructions of coronal loops with the STEREO A + B spacecraft. III. Instant stereoscopic tomography of active regions. Astrophys. J. 695, 12 – 29. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/695/1/12.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Attrill, G., Nakwacki, M.S., Harra, L.K., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Mandrini, C.H., Dasso, S., Wang, J.: 2006, Using the evolution of coronal dimming regions to probe the global magnetic field topology. Solar Phys. 238, 117 – 139. doi:10.1007/s11207-006-0167-5.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Attrill, G.D.R., Harra, L.K., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Démoulin, P., Wülser, J.P.: 2007, Coronal “wave”: A signature of the mechanism making CMEs large-scale in the low corona? Astron. Nachr. 328, 760 – 763. doi:10.1002/asna.200710794.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Attrill, G.D.R., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Démoulin, P., Zhukov, A.N., Steed, K., Harra, L.K., Mandrini, C.H., Linker, J.: 2008, The recovery of CME-related dimmings and the ICME’s enduring magnetic connection to the Sun. Solar Phys. 252, 349 – 372. doi:10.1007/s11207-008-9255-z.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Bewsher, D., Harrison, R.A., Brown, D.S.: 2008, The relationship between EUV dimming and coronal mass ejections. I. Statistical study and probability model. Astron. Astrophys. 478, 897 – 906. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20078615.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chertok, I.M., Grechnev, V.V.: 2003, Large-scale dimmings produced by solar coronal mass ejections according to SOHO/EIT data in four EUV lines. Astron. Rep. 47, 934 – 945. doi:10.1134/1.1626196.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Chertok, I.M., Grechnev, V.V.: 2005, Large-scale activity in the Bastille Day 2000 solar event. Solar Phys. 229, 95 – 114. doi:10.1007/s11207-005-3654-1.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Crooker, N.U., Webb, D.F.: 2006, Remote sensing of the solar site of interchange reconnection associated with the May 1997 magnetic cloud. J. Geophys. Res. 111, 8108 – 8114. doi:10.1029/2006JA011649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delannée, C., Aulanier, G.: 1999, CME associated with transequatorial loops and a bald patch flare. Solar Phys. 190, 107 – 129.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Démoulin, P.: 2008, A review of the quantitative links between CMEs and magnetic clouds. Ann. Geophys. 26, 3113 – 3125.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Goff, C.P., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Harra, L.K., Matthews, S.A., Mandrini, C.H.: 2005, A slow coronal mass ejection with rising X-ray source. Astron. Astrophys. 434, 761 – 771. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20042321.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R.A., Lyons, M.: 2000, A spectroscopic study of coronal dimming associated with a coronal mass ejection. Astron. Astrophys. 358, 1097 – 1108.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R.A., Sawyer, E.C., Carter, M.K., Cruise, A.M., Cutler, R.M., Fludra, A., Hayes, R.W., Kent, B.J., Lang, J., Parker, D.J., Payne, J., Pike, C.D., Peskett, S.C., Richards, A.G., Gulhane, J.L., Norman, K., Breeveld, A.A., Breeveld, E.R., Al Janabi, K.F., McCalden, A.J., Parkinson, J.H., Self, D.G., Thomas, P.D., Poland, A.I., Thomas, R.J., Thompson, W.T., Kjeldseth-Moe, O., Brekke, P., Karud, J., Maltby, P., Aschenbach, B., Bräuninger, H., Kühne, M., Hollandt, J., Siegmund, O.H.W., Huber, M.C.E., Gabriel, A.H., Mason, H.E., Bromage, B.J.I.: 1995, The coronal diagnostic spectrometer for the solar and heliospheric observatory. Solar Phys. 162, 233 – 290. doi:10.1007/BF00733431.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R.A., Sheeley, N.R. Jr., Michels, D.J., Koomen, M.J.: 1985, Coronal mass ejections – 1979 – 1981. J. Geophys. Res. 90, 8173 – 8191.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, H.S., Cliver, E.W.: 2001, Observing coronal mass ejections without coronagraphs. J. Geophys. Res. 106, 25199 – 25214. doi:10.1029/2000JA004026.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, H.S., Webb, D.F.: 1997, Soft X-Ray Signatures of Coronal Ejections, Geophys. Monogr. Ser., AGU, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, H.S., Acton, L.W., Freeland, S.L.: 1996, A long-duration solar flare with mass ejection and global consequences. Astrophys. J. 470, 629 – 635. doi:10.1086/177894.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, B.V., Hick, P.P., Buffington, A., Bisi, M.M., Kojima, M., Tokumaru, M.: 2007, Comparison of the extent and mass of CME events in the interplanetary medium using IPS and SMEI Thomson scattering observations. Astron. Astrophys. Trans. 26, 477 – 487. doi:10.1080/10556790701612221.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Kahler, S.W., Hudson, H.S.: 2001, Origin and development of transient coronal holes. J. Geophys. Res. 106, 29239 – 29248. doi:10.1029/2001JA000127.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandrini, C.H., Pohjolainen, S., Dasso, S., Green, L.M., Démoulin, P., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Copperwheat, C., Foley, C.: 2005, Interplanetary flux rope ejected from an X-ray bright point. The smallest magnetic cloud source-region ever observed. Astron. Astrophys. 434, 725 – 740. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20041079.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandrini, C.H., Demoulin, P., Schmieder, B., Deluca, E.E., Pariat, E., Uddin, W.: 2006, Companion event and precursor of the X17 flare on 28 October 2003. Solar Phys. 238, 293 – 312. doi:10.1007/s11207-006-0205-3.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Mandrini, C.H., Nakwacki, M.S., Attrill, G., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L., Démoulin, P., Dasso, S., Elliott, H.: 2007, Are CME-related dimmings always a simple signature of interplanetary magnetic cloud footpoints? Solar Phys. 244, 25 – 43. doi:10.1007/s11207-007-9020-8.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Martens, P.C.H., Davey, A.R., Grigis, P.C., Kasper, J., Korreck, K., Saar, S.H., Su, Y., Savcheva, A., Testa, P., Wills-Davey, M., Bernasconi, P.N., Georgoulis, M.K., Delouille, V.A., Hochedez, J.F., Cirtain, J.W., DeForest, C.E., Angryk, R.A., De Moortel, I., Wiegelmann, T.: 2009, Computer vision for the solar dynamics observatory. Solar Phys., submitted.

  • Podladchikova, O., Berghmans, D.: 2005, Automated detection of EIT waves and dimmings. Solar Phys. 228, 265 – 284. doi:10.1007/s11207-005-5373-z.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, J., Hu, Q., Howard, T.A., Yurchyshyn, V.B.: 2007, On the magnetic flux budget in low-corona magnetic reconnection and interplanetary coronal mass ejections. Astrophys. J. 659, 758 – 772. doi:10.1086/512060.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Reinard, A.A., Biesecker, D.A.: 2008, Coronal mass ejection-associated coronal dimmings. Astrophys. J. 674, 576 – 585. doi:10.1086/525269.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Robbrecht, E., Patsourakos, S., Vourlidas, A.: 2009, No trace left behind: STEREO observation of a coronal mass ejection without low coronal signatures. Astrophys. J. 701, 283 – 291. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/701/1/283.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rust, D.M.: 1983, Coronal disturbances and their terrestrial effects (Tutorial Lecture). Space Sci. Rev. 34, 21 – 36.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Rust, D.M., Hildner, E.: 1976, Expansion of an X-ray coronal arch into the outer corona. Solar Phys. 48, 381 – 387.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Steed, K., Owen, C.J., Harra, L.K., Green, L.M., Dasso, S., Walsh, A.P., Démoulin, P., van Driel-Gesztelyi, L.: 2008, Locating the solar source of 13 April 2006 magnetic cloud. Ann. Geophys. 26, 3159 – 3168.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sterling, A.C., Hudson, H.S.: 1997, YOHKOH SXT observations of X-ray “Dimming” associated with a halo coronal mass ejection. Astrophys. J. Lett. 491, 55 – 58. doi:10.1086/311043.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, B.J., Plunkett, S.P., Gurman, J.B., Newmark, J.S., St. Cyr, O.C., Michels, D.J.: 1998, SOHO/EIT observations of an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection on May 12, 1997. Geophys. Res. Lett. 25, 2465 – 2468. doi:10.1029/98GL50429.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, B.J., Cliver, E.W., Nitta, N., Delannée, C., Delaboudinière, J.P.: 2000, Coronal dimmings and energetic CMEs in April – May 1998. Geophys. Res. Lett. 27, 1431 – 1434. doi:10.1029/1999GL003668.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, T., Yan, Y., Wang, J., Kurokawa, H., Shibata, K.: 2002, The large-scale coronal field structure and source region features for a halo coronal mass ejection. Astrophys. J. 572, 580 – 597. doi:10.1086/340189.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, D.F., Lepping, R.P., Burlaga, L.F., DeForest, C.E., Larson, D.E., Martin, S.F., Plunkett, S.P., Rust, D.M.: 2000, The origin and development of the May 1997 magnetic cloud. J. Geophys. Res. 105, 27251 – 27260. doi:10.1029/2000JA000021.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wills-Davey, M.J.: 2006, Tracking large-scale propagating coronal wave fronts (EIT waves) using automated methods. Astrophys. J. 645, 757 – 765. doi:10.1086/504144.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhukov, A.N., Auchère, F.: 2004, On the nature of EIT waves, EUV dimmings and their link to CMEs. Astron. Astrophys. 427, 705 – 716. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20040351.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    G. D. R. Attrill & M. J. Wills-Davey

Authors
  1. G. D. R. Attrill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. J. Wills-Davey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. D. R. Attrill.

Additional information

Solar Image Processing and Analysis

Guest Editors: J. Ireland and C.A. Young.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Attrill, G.D.R., Wills-Davey, M.J. Automatic Detection and Extraction of Coronal Dimmings from SDO/AIA Data. Sol Phys 262, 461–480 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-009-9444-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-009-9444-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation