Drifting of the line-tied footpoints of CME flux-ropes

Abstract

Existing 3D extensions to the standard model show that flux-rope footpoints are surrounded by curved-shaped QSL-footprints that can be related with hook-shaped flare-ribbons. We build upon this finding and further address the joint questions of their time-evolution, and of the formation of flare loops at the ends of flaring PILs of the erupting bipole, which are both relevant for flare understanding in general and for ICME studies in particular. We calculate QSLs and relevant field lines in an MHD simulation of a torus-unstable flux-rope. The evolving QSL footprints are used to define the outer edge of the flux rope at different times, and to identify and characterize new 3D reconnection geometries and sequences that occur above the ends of the flaring PIL. We also analyse flare-ribbons as observed in EUV by SDO/AIA and IRIS during two X-class flares. The flux-rope footpoints are drifting during the eruption, which is unexpected due to line-tying. This drifting is due to a series of coronal reconnections that erode the flux rope on one side and enlarge it on the other side. Other changes in the flux-rope footpoint-area are due to multiple reconnections of individual field lines whose topology can evolve sequentially from arcade to flux rope and finally to flare loop. These are associated with deformations and displacements of QSL footprints, which resemble those of the studied flare ribbons. Our model predicts continuous deformations and a drifting of ICME flux-rope footpoints whose areas are surrounded by equally-evolving hooked-shaped flare-ribbons, as well as the formation of flare loops at the ends of flaring PILs which originate from the flux-rope itself, both of which being due to purely three-dimensional reconnection geometries. The observed evolution of flare-ribbons in two events supports the model, but more observations are required to test all its predictions.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, accepted

References in corpus (19)

• The origin, early evolution and predictability of solar eruptions
• Generalized Squashing Factors for Covariant Description of Magnetic Connectivity in the Solar Corona
• Temporal evolution of multiple evaporating ribbon sources in a solar flare
• Formation of a Double-decker Magnetic Flux Rope in the Sigmoidal Solar Active Region 11520
• Sympathetic Magnetic Breakout Coronal Mass Ejections from Pseudostreamers
• Quasi-periodic Slipping Magnetic Reconnection During an X-class Solar Flare Observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory and Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph
• Statistics of coronal dimmings associated with coronal mass ejections. I. Characteristic dimming properties and flare association
• The Eruption from a Sigmoidal Solar Active Region on 2005 May 13
• Coronal magnetic reconnection driven by CME expansion -- the 2011 June 7 event
• Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of the X2.2 Solar Flare on 2011 February 15: II. Dynamics Connecting the Solar Flare and the Coronal Mass Ejection
• Imaging and Spectroscopic Diagnostics on the Formation of Two Magnetic Flux Ropes Revealed by SDO/AIA and IRIS
• May 12 1997 Cme Event: I. a Simplified Model of the Pre-Eruptive Magnetic Structure
• Sun-to-Earth Characteristics of the 2012 July 12 Coronal Mass Ejection and Associated Geo-effectiveness
• Pre-flare coronal dimmings
• Comparison of Two Coronal Magnetic Field Models for Reconstructing a Sigmoidal Solar Active Region With Coronal Loops
• Vortex and sink flows in eruptive flares as a model for coronal implosions
• Extreme solar storms based on solar magnetic field
• Statistical Analysis of Solar Events Associated with Storm Sudden Commencements over One Year of Solar Maximum during Cycle 23: Propagation from the Sun to the Earth and Effects
• Expanding and Contracting Coronal Loops as Evidence of Vortex Flows Induced by Solar Eruptions

Cited by in corpus (55)

• The Solar Orbiter mission -- Science overview
• The European Solar Telescope
• Magnetic Flux Ropes in the Solar Corona: Structure and Evolution toward Eruption
• Space Plasma Physics: A Review
• Three-dimensional magnetic reconnection in astrophysical plasmas
• Evolution of the Toroidal Flux of CME Flux Ropes during Eruption
• Thermodynamic and Magnetic Topology Evolution of the X1.0 Flare on 2021 October 28 Simulated by a Data-driven Radiative Magnetohydrodynamic Model
• Spectroscopy and Differential Emission Measure diagnostics of a coronal dimming associated with a fast halo CME
• Observations of a Footpoint Drift of an Erupting Flux Rope
• Observational Analysis on the Early Evolution of a CME Flux-rope: Pre-flare reconnection and Flux-rope's Footpoint Drift
• Observation of all pre- and post-reconnection structures involved in three-dimensional reconnection geometries in solar eruptions
• Complete replacement of magnetic flux in a flux rope during a coronal mass ejection
• Solar jets observed with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)
• External reconnection and resultant reconfiguration of overlying magnetic fields during sympathetic eruptions of two filaments
• Manifestations of three dimensional magnetic reconnection in an eruption of a quiescent filament: \\ Filament strands turning to flare loops
• Is flare-ribbon fine structure related to tearing in the flare current sheet?
• Velocities of flare kernels and the mapping norm of field line connectivity
• Partial Eruption, Confinement, and Twist Buildup and Release of a Double-decker Filament
• Flare reconnection-driven magnetic field and Lorentz force variations at the Sun's surface
• The role of small-scale surface motions in the transfer of twist to a solar jet from a remote stable flux rope
• Dynamics evolution of a solar active-region filament from quasi-static state to eruption: rolling motion, untwisting motion, material transfer, and chirality
• Hybrid data-driven magnetofrictional and magnetohydrodynamic simulations of an eruptive solar active region
• Electric current evolution at the footpoints of solar eruptions
• Multi-point study of the energy release and transport in the 28 March 2022, M4-flare using STIX, EUI, and AIA during the first Solar Orbiter nominal mission perihelion
• Imaging evidence for solar wind outflows originating from a CME footpoint
• Properties and Energetics of Magnetic Reconnection: I. Evolution of Flare Ribbons
• Tether-cutting and Overlying Magnetic Reconnections in an MHD Simulation of Prominence-cavity System
• Evidence of external reconnection between an erupting mini-filament and ambient loops observed by Solar Orbiter/EUI
• Quantitative Characterization of Magnetic Flux Rope Properties for Two Solar Eruption Events
• Investigating pre-eruptive magnetic properties at the footprints of erupting magnetic flux ropes
• Generic low-atmosphere signatures of swirled-anemone jets
• Rapid Rotation of an Erupting Prominence and the Associated Coronal Mass Ejection on 13 May 2013
• Quantifying the Toroidal Flux of Pre-existing Flux Ropes of CMEs
• Saddle-shaped solar flare arcades
• The Causes of Peripheral Coronal Loop Contraction and Disappearance Revealed in a Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of Solar Eruption
• The Automatic Identification and Tracking of Coronal Flux Ropes -- Part I: Footpoints and Fluxes
• Radio, EUV, and X-Ray Observations During a Filament Rise in the 2011 June 7 Solar Flare
• Filament Leg--Leg Reconnection as a Source of Prominent Supra-Arcade Downflows
• Radiative Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of the Confined Eruption of a Magnetic Flux Rope: Magnetic Structure and Plasma Thermodynamics
• Simulation of a Solar Jet Formed from an Untwisting Flux Rope Interacting with a Null Point
• Spectroscopic investigations of a filament reconnecting with coronal loops during a two-ribbon solar flare
• 3D structures of the base of small-scale recurrent jets revealed by Solar orbiter
• Formation and Eruption of Hot Channels during an M6.5 Class Solar Flare
• Validation and interpretation of three-dimensional configuration of a magnetic cloud flux rope
• An Atypical Plateau-like Extreme-ultraviolet Late-phase Solar Flare Driven by the Non-radial Eruption of a Magnetic Flux Rope
• The Kinematical Behavior of Solar Eruptive Filaments Affected by the Poloidal Magnetic Field
• A Data-constrained Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of Successive X-class Flares in Solar Active Region 13842. II. Dynamics of the Solar Eruption Associated with the X9.0 Solar Flare
• Erupting Magnetic Flux Rope Affects Running Penumbral Waves
• A new view of the solar interface region from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS)
• Falling Threads During Solar Filament Eruptions
• Helicity shedding by flux rope ejection
• Multi-Viewpoint Observation of a Failed Prominence Eruption on the Sun
• Back Reaction of the Untwisting Solar Corona Scars Sunspots
• Radio, X-ray, and EUV signatures of internal and external reconnection of an erupting flux rope
• Specialist Discussion Meeting: 3D structure of the flare chromosphere