Eruptions of Magnetic Ropes in Two Homologous Solar Events on 2002 June 1 and 2: a Key to Understanding of an Enigmatic Flare

TL;DR

This study investigates two similar solar eruptive events in the same active region, revealing that twisted magnetic flux ropes, not reconnection at null points, drove the eruptions, challenging standard flare models.

Contribution

It introduces a new 3D scenario showing flux ropes as primary drivers, differing from traditional models emphasizing null point reconnection.

Findings

Flux ropes mimicked cusp-like features in eruptions.

Eruptions driven by flux ropes, not null point reconnection.

Proposed a new 3D model for solar eruptions.

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to understand the drivers, configurations, and scenarios of two similar eruptive events, which occurred in the same solar active region 9973 on 2002 June 1 and 2. The June 2 event was previously studied by Sui, Holman, and Dennis (2006, 2008), who concluded that it was challenging for popular flare models. Using multi-spectral data, we analyze a combination of the two events. Each of the events exhibited an evolving cusp-like feature. We have revealed that these apparent ``cusps'' were most likely mimicked by twisted magnetic flux ropes, but unlikely to be related to the inverted Y-like magnetic configuration in the standard flare model. The ropes originated inside a funnel-like magnetic domain whose base was bounded by an EUV ring structure, and the top was associated with a coronal null point. The ropes appear to be the major drivers for the events, but their rise was not triggered by reconnection in the coronal null point. We propose a scenario and a three-dimensional scheme for these events in which the filament eruptions and flares were caused by interaction of the ropes.