The structure and dynamics of a bright point as seen with Hinode, SoHO and TRACE

TL;DR

This study combines multi-instrument observations to analyze the plasma properties, magnetic topology, and dynamics of a coronal bright point, revealing correlations between magnetic flux, X-ray emission, and plasma velocities.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive multi-wavelength analysis of a coronal bright point, linking magnetic topology with plasma properties and dynamics for the first time in this detail.

Findings

Coronal bright point comprises multiple loops visible in X-ray images.

Ca II H passband correlates well with magnetic flux concentrations.

Magnetic field in the bright point is largely close to potential.

Abstract

Our aim is to determine the plasma properties of a coronal bright point and compare its magnetic topology extrapolated from magnetogram data with its appearance in X-ray images. We analyse spectroscopic data obtained with EIS/Hinode, Ca II H and G-band images from SOT/Hinode, UV images from TRACE, X-ray images from XRT/Hinode and high-resolution/high-cadence magnetogram data from MDI/SoHO. The BP comprises several coronal loops as seen in the X-ray images, while the chromospheric structure consists of tens of small bright points as seen in Ca II H. An excellent correlation exists between the Ca II BPs and increases in the magnetic field, implying that the Ca II H passband is a good indicator for the concentration of magnetic flux. Doppler velocities between 6 and 15 km/s are derived from the Fe XII and Fe XIII lines for the BP region, while for Fe XIV and Si VII they are in the range from -15 to +15 km/s. The coronal electron density is 3.7x10^9 cm^-3. An excellent correlation is found between the positive magnetic flux and the X-ray light-curves. The remarkable agreement between the extrapolated magnetic field configuration and some of the loops composing the BP as seen in the X-ray images suggests that a large fraction of the magnetic field in the bright point is close to potential. The close correlation between the positive magnetic flux and the X-ray emission suggests that energy released by magnetic reconnection is stimulated by flux emergence or cancellation.