Interaction between a fast rotating sunspot and ephemeral regions as the origin of the major solar event on 2006 December 13

Abstract

The major solar event on 2006 December 13 is characterized by the approximately simultaneous occurrence of a heap of hot ejecta, a great two-ribbon flare and an extended Earth-directed coronal mass ejection. We examine the magnetic field and sunspot evolution in active region NOAA AR 10930, the source region of the event, while it transited the solar disk centre from Dec. 10 to Dec. 13. We find that the obvious changes in the active region associated with the event are the development of magnetic shear, the appearance of ephemeral regions and fast rotation of a smaller sunspot. Around the area of the magnetic neutral line of the active region, interaction between the fast rotating sunspot and the ephemeral regions triggers continual brightening and finally the major flare. It is indicative that only after the sunspot rotates up to 200${}^{\circ }$ does the major event take place. The sunspot rotates at least 240${}^{\circ }$ about its centre, the largest sunspot rotation angle which has been reported.

4 pages, 6 figures, ApJ Letters inpress

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