A modified shifted means-based segmentation approach to detect active regions and coronal holes in the solar dynamics observatory images

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh Suresh ◽  
Roger Dube ◽  
Chance Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Segmentation Approach ◽  
Solar Dynamics

scholarly journals An Analysis of Spikes in Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) Data

Solar Physics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 296 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Young ◽  
Nicholeen M. Viall ◽  
Michael S. Kirk ◽  
Emily I. Mason ◽  
Lakshmi Pradeep Chitta
Keyword(s):  
Solar Atmosphere ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Solar Surface ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Processing Pipeline ◽  
High Resolution Images ◽  
Solar Dynamics

AbstractThe Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) returns high-resolution images of the solar atmosphere in seven extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength channels. The images are processed on the ground to remove intensity spikes arising from energetic particles hitting the instrument, and the despiked images are provided to the community. In this article, a three-hour series of images from the 171 Å channel obtained on 28 February 2017 was studied to investigate how often the despiking algorithm gave false positives caused by compact brightenings in the solar atmosphere. The latter were identified through spikes appearing in the same detector pixel for three consecutive frames. 1096 examples were found from the 900 image frames. These “three-spikes” were assigned to 126 dynamic solar features, and it is estimated that the three-spike method identifies 19% of the total number of features affected by despiking. For any ten-minute sequence of AIA 171 Å images there are around 37 solar features that have their intensity modified by despiking. The features are found in active regions, quiet Sun, and coronal holes and, in relation to solar surface area, there is a greater proportion within coronal holes. In 96% of the cases, the despiked structure is a compact brightening with a size of two arcsec or less, and the remaining 4% have narrow, elongated structures. By applying an EUV burst detection algorithm, we found that 96% of the events could be classified as EUV bursts. None of the spike events are rendered invisible by the AIA processing pipeline, but the total intensity over an event’s lifetime can be reduced by up to 67%. Users are recommended to always restore the original intensities in AIA data when studying short-lived or rapidly evolving features that exhibit fine-scale structure.

scholarly journals Automated coronal hole identification via multi-thermal intensity segmentation

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. A02 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadhg M. Garton ◽  
Peter T. Gallagher ◽  
Sophie A. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Coronal Hole ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Recognition Algorithm ◽  
Magnetic Polarity ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Solar Dynamics

Coronal holes (CH) are regions of open magnetic fields that appear as dark areas in the solar corona due to their low density and temperature compared to the surrounding quiet corona. To date, accurate identification and segmentation of CHs has been a difficult task due to their comparable intensity to local quiet Sun regions. Current segmentation methods typically rely on the use of single Extreme Ultra-Violet passband and magnetogram images to extract CH information. Here, the coronal hole identification via multi-thermal emission recognition algorithm (CHIMERA) is described, which analyses multi-thermal images from the atmospheric image assembly (AIA) onboard the solar dynamics observatory (SDO) to segment coronal hole boundaries by their intensity ratio across three passbands (171 Å, 193 Å, and 211 Å). The algorithm allows accurate extraction of CH boundaries and many of their properties, such as area, position, latitudinal and longitudinal width, and magnetic polarity of segmented CHs. From these properties, a clear linear relationship was identified between the duration of geomagnetic storms and coronal hole areas. CHIMERA can therefore form the basis of more accurate forecasting of the start and duration of geomagnetic storms.

scholarly journals Statistical Analysis and Catalog of Non-polar Coronal Holes Covering the SDO-Era Using CATCH

Solar Physics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 294 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan G. Heinemann ◽  
Manuela Temmer ◽  
Niko Heinemann ◽  
Karin Dissauer ◽  
Evangelia Samara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Coronal Hole ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Central Meridian ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Speed Solar Wind ◽  
Solar Dynamics ◽  
Hole Boundary

Abstract Coronal holes are usually defined as dark structures seen in the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray spectrum which are generally associated with open magnetic fields. Deriving reliably the coronal hole boundary is of high interest, as its area, underlying magnetic field, and other properties give important hints as regards high speed solar wind acceleration processes and compression regions arriving at Earth. In this study we present a new threshold-based extraction method, which incorporates the intensity gradient along the coronal hole boundary, which is implemented as a user-friendly SSW-IDL GUI. The Collection of Analysis Tools for Coronal Holes (CATCH) enables the user to download data, perform guided coronal hole extraction and analyze the underlying photospheric magnetic field. We use CATCH to analyze non-polar coronal holes during the SDO-era, based on 193 Å filtergrams taken by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and magnetograms taken by the Heliospheric and Magnetic Imager (HMI), both on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Between 2010 and 2019 we investigate 707 coronal holes that are located close to the central meridian. We find coronal holes distributed across latitudes of about ${\pm}\, 60^{\circ}$±60∘, for which we derive sizes between $1.6 \times 10^{9}$1.6×109 and $1.8 \times 10^{11}\mbox{ km}^{2}$1.8×1011 km2. The absolute value of the mean signed magnetic field strength tends towards an average of $2.9\pm 1.9$2.9±1.9 G. As far as the abundance and size of coronal holes is concerned, we find no distinct trend towards the northern or southern hemisphere. We find that variations in local and global conditions may significantly change the threshold needed for reliable coronal hole extraction and thus, we can highlight the importance of individually assessing and extracting coronal holes.

scholarly journals Nature of the energy source powering solar coronal loops driven by nanoflares

2018 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. L9 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. P. Chitta ◽  
H. Peter ◽  
S. K. Solanki
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Energy Source ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Plasma Heating ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Coronal Loops ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Mixed Polarity ◽  
Solar Dynamics

Context. Magnetic energy is required to heat the corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun, to millions of degrees. Aims. We study the nature of the magnetic energy source that is probably responsible for the brightening of coronal loops driven by nanoflares in the cores of solar active regions. Methods. We consider observations of two active regions (ARs), 11890 and 12234, in which nanoflares have been detected. To this end, we use ultraviolet (UV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) for coronal loop diagnostics. These images are combined with the co-temporal line-of-sight magnetic field maps from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard SDO to investigate the connection between coronal loops and their magnetic roots in the photosphere. Results. The core of these ARs exhibit loop brightening in multiple EUV channels of AIA, particularly in its 9.4 nm filter. The HMI magnetic field maps reveal the presence of a complex mixed polarity magnetic field distribution at the base of these loops. We detect the cancellation of photospheric magnetic flux at these locations at a rate of about 1015 Mx s−1. The associated compact coronal brightenings directly above the cancelling magnetic features are indicative of plasma heating due to chromospheric magnetic reconnection. Conclusions. We suggest that the complex magnetic topology and the evolution of magnetic field, such as flux cancellation in the photosphere and the resulting chromospheric reconnection, can play an important role in energizing active region coronal loops driven by nanoflares. Our estimate of magnetic energy release during flux cancellation in the quiet Sun suggests that chromospheric reconnection can also power the quiet corona.

scholarly journals EMERGING DIMMINGS OF ACTIVE REGIONS OBSERVED BY THE SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY

2012 ◽  
Vol 760 (2) ◽  
pp. L29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Shuhong Yang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Xudong Sun
Keyword(s):  
Active Regions ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Solar Dynamics

scholarly journals Impulsive coronal heating during the interaction of surface magnetic fields in the lower solar atmosphere

2020 ◽  
Vol 644 ◽  
pp. A130
Author(s):  
L. P. Chitta ◽  
H. Peter ◽  
E. R. Priest ◽  
S. K. Solanki
Keyword(s):  
Solar Surface ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Opposite Polarity ◽  
Space Mission ◽  
Magnetic Polarity ◽  
Coronal Heating ◽  
Coronal Loops ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Solar Dynamics

Coronal plasma in the cores of solar active regions is impulsively heated to more than 5 MK. The nature and location of the magnetic energy source responsible for such impulsive heating is poorly understood. Using observations of seven active regions from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we found that a majority of coronal loops hosting hot plasma have at least one footpoint rooted in regions of interacting mixed magnetic polarity at the solar surface. In cases when co-temporal observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph space mission are available, we found spectroscopic evidence for magnetic reconnection at the base of the hot coronal loops. Our analysis suggests that interactions of magnetic patches of opposite polarity at the solar surface and the associated energy release during reconnection are key to impulsive coronal heating.

scholarly journals Recurrent filament eruptions and associated CMEs

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (S300) ◽  
pp. 489-490
Author(s):  
Brigitte Schmieder ◽  
Hebe Cremades ◽  
Cristina Mandrini ◽  
Pascal Démoulin ◽  
Yang Guo
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Field Intensity ◽  
Magnetic Field Intensity ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
The Other ◽  
Magnetic Configuration ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Solar Dynamics ◽  
Topology Computation ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractWe investigate the violent events in the cluster of two active regions (ARs), NOAA numbers 11121 and 11123, observed on 11 November 2010 by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Within one day the magnetic field intensity increased by 70% with the emergence of new groups of bipoles in AR 11123, where three filaments are seen along the complex inversion line. The destabilization of the filaments led to flares and CMEs. The CMEs around 08:24 UT and 17:00 UT are directly related to the partial eruption of one filament in the new AR, as shown by a topology computation and analysis. The other CMEs on this day are due to either other ARs or to the destabilization of the global magnetic configuration of the two ARs. This conclusion can be only reached by using the three eyes of SOHO, STEREO and SDO.

scholarly journals Automating Ellerman bomb detection in ultraviolet continua

2019 ◽  
Vol 626 ◽  
pp. A4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregal J. M. Vissers ◽  
Luc H. M. Rouppe van der Voort ◽  
Robert J. Rutten
Keyword(s):  
Imaging Spectroscopy ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Optimal Recovery ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Flux Dynamics ◽  
Disc Centre ◽  
Solar Dynamics ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Ellerman Bombs

Ellerman bombs are transient brightenings in the wings of Hα 6563 Å that pinpoint photospheric sites of magnetic reconnection in solar active regions. Their partial visibility in the 1600 Å and 1700 Å continua registered routinely by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) offers a unique opportunity to inventory such magnetic-field disruptions throughout the AIA database if a reliable recipe for their detection can be formulated. This is done here. We have improved and applied an Hα Ellerman bomb detection code to ten data sets spanning viewing angles from solar disc centre to the limb. They combine high-quality Hα imaging spectroscopy from the Swedish 1 m Solar Telescope with simultaneous AIA imaging around 1600 Å and 1700 Å. A trial grid of brightness, lifetime and area constraints is imposed on the AIA images to define optimal recovery of the 1735 Ellerman bombs detected in Hα. The best results when optimising simultaneously for recovery fraction and reliability are obtained from 1700 Å images by requiring 5σ brightening above the average 1700 Å nearby quiet-Sun intensity, lifetime above one minute, area of 1–18 AIA pixels. With this recipe 27% of the AIA detections are Hα-detected Ellerman bombs while it recovers 19% of these (of which many are smaller than the AIA resolution). Better yet, among the top 10% AIA 1700 Å detections selected with combined brightness, lifetime and area thresholds as many as 80% are Hα Ellerman bombs. Automated selection of the best 1700 Å candidates therefore opens the entire AIA database for detecting most of the more significant photospheric reconnection events. This proxy is applicable as a flux-dynamics tell-tale in studying any Earth-side solar active region since early 2010 up to the present.

scholarly journals The rotation rate of solar active and ephemeral regions – I. Dependence on morphology and peak magnetic flux

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (4) ◽  
pp. 5159-5166
Author(s):  
Alexander S Kutsenko
Keyword(s):  
Rotation Rate ◽  
Convection Zone ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
Convective Envelope ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Rotation Rates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Class B ◽  
Solar Dynamics

ABSTRACT Using magnetic field maps acquired by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we measured rotation rates of 864 active and 322 ephemeral regions observed between 2010 and 2016. We found smaller magnetic tracers to show a tendency to rotate faster as compared to larger ones. Thus, ephemeral regions exhibit on average the fastest rotation rate. We further divided active regions into three classes. Class A comprised magnetic bipoles obeying Hale’s polarity law, Joy’s law, and exhibiting more coherent leading polarity in comparison with the following one. The second class B included active regions violating at least one of the aforementioned empirical laws. The third class U comprised unipolar active regions. We found no significant difference between the rotation rates of active regions of classes A and B. In contrast, unipolar active regions exhibited on average lower rotation rate and narrower distribution of the rotation rate differences. Assuming the rotation rate to indicate the anchoring depth of the magnetic structure within the convection zone, we supposed that active regions of classes A and B might be anchored throughout the entire convective envelope while unipolar active regions a rooted within a thin layer located either near the base of the convection zone or at a shallow near-surface depth.

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