Observational Evidence for Coronal Twisted Flux Rope

TL;DR

This study uses multi-instrument solar observations to provide evidence of a coronal flux rope structure, linking it to filament formation and evolution, with detailed imaging revealing its fine structure and dynamic behavior.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed multi-instrument observational evidence of a coronal flux rope associated with filament formation, highlighting its evolution and fine structure.

Findings

Identification of a twisted magnetic flux rope structure.

Observation of flux rope evolution into a filament.

Correlation between flux rope dynamics and filament formation.

Abstract

Multi-instrument data sets of NOAA AR10938 on Jan. 16, 2007, (e.g., {\emph{Hinode}}, {\it{STEREO}}, {\it{GOES}}, {\it{MLSO}} and {\it{ISOON}} H$\alpha$) are utilized to study the fine structure and evolution of a magnetic loop system exhibiting multiple crossing threads, whose arrangement and individual shapes are very suggestive of individual field lines in a flux rope. The footpoints of the magnetic threads are closely rooted into pores and plage areas. A C-class flare recorded by {\it{GOES}} at approximately 2:35 UT near one of the footpoints of the multi-thread system (along with a wisp of loop material shown by EUV data) led to the brightening of the magnetic structure revealing its fine structure with several threads that indicate a high degree of linking (suggesting a left-handed helical pattern as shown by the filament structure formed later-on). EUV observations by {\emph{Hinode}}/EIS of hot spectral lines at 2:46 UT show a complex structure of coronal loops. The same features were observed about 20 minutes later in X-ray images from {\emph{Hinode}}/XRT and about 30 minutes further in EUV images of {\it{STEREO}}/SECCHI/EUVI with much better resolution. H$\alpha$ and 304 {\AA} images revealed the presence of several filament fibrils in the same area. They evolved a few hours later into a denser structure seemingly showing helical structure, which persistently lasted for several days forming a segment of a larger scale filament. The present observations provide an important indication for a flux robe as a precursor of a solar filament.