Eruptions of Two Coupled Filaments Observed by SDO, GONG and STEREO

TL;DR

This study analyzes the interaction and partial eruption of two coupled solar filaments observed by multiple space-based instruments, revealing how filament interactions can trigger eruptions and associated CMEs.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the mechanisms behind coupled filament eruptions and the role of magnetic loop opening and plasma downflows in filament instability.

Findings

F1 eruption triggered plasma injection into F2.

F2 experienced partial eruption following F1.

Two CMEs associated with the filament eruptions.

Abstract

On 2012 July 11, two solar filaments were observed in the northeast of the solar disk and their eruptions due to the interaction between them are studied by using the data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) and Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG). The eastern filament (F1) first erupted toward the northeast. During the eruption of F1, some plasma from F1 fell down and was injected to the North-East part of another filament (F2), and some plasma of F1 fell down to the northern region close to F2 and caused the plasma to brighten. Meanwhile, the North-East part of F2 first started to be active and rise, but did not erupt finally. Then the South-West part of F2 erupted successfully. Therefore, the F2's eruption is a partial filament eruption. Two associated CMEs related to the eruptions were observed by STEREO/COR1. We find two possible reasons that lead to the instability and the eruption of F2. One main reason is that the magnetic loops overlying the two filaments were partially opened by the eruptive F1 and resulted in the instability of F2. The other is that the downflows from F1 might break the stability of F2.