Partially-erupting prominences: a comparison between observations and model-predicted observables

TL;DR

This study compares observations of partially-erupting prominences with model predictions, confirming the PEFR model's ability to explain partial eruptions and associated CME phenomena through evidence of internal reconnection.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the PEFR model accurately explains partial prominence eruptions and predicts observable signatures confirmed by multi-wavelength observations.

Findings

PEFR model explains partial eruptions and predicts CME observables.

All studied prominences show evidence of internal reconnection.

Observable features like dimmings and X-ray cusps support the model.

Abstract

AIM: To investigate several partially-erupting prominences to study their relationship with other CME-associated phenomena and to compare these observations with observables predicted by a model of partially-expelled flux ropes (Gibson & Fan, 2006a, b). METHODS: We have studied 6 selected events with partially-erupting prominences using multi wavelength observations recorded by the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT), Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE), Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO), Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) and soft X-ray telescope (SXT). The observational features associated with partially-erupting prominences were then compared with the predicted observables from the model. RESULTS: The partially-expelled-flux-rope (PEFR) model of Gibson & Fan (2006a, b) can explain the partial eruption of these prominences, and in addition predicts a variety of other CME-related observables that provide evidence for internal reconnection during eruption. We find that all of the partially-erupting prominences studied in this paper exhibit indirect evidence for internal reconnection. Moreover, all cases showed evidence of at least one observable unique to the PEFR model, e.g., dimmings external to the source region, and/or a soft X-ray cusp overlying a reformed sigmoid. CONCLUSIONS: The PEFR model provides a plausible mechanism to explain the observed evolution of partially-erupting-prominence-associated CMEs in our study.