Persistent Quasi-Periodic Pulsations During a Large X-Class Solar Flare

TL;DR

This study documents persistent quasi-periodic pulsations (QPP) throughout a large X8.2 solar flare, revealing different periods during impulsive and decay phases, linked to reconnection dynamics and MHD wave modes in post-flare loops.

Contribution

It provides detailed observations of QPP during both impulsive and decay phases of a major solar flare, highlighting their potential physical origins and evolution.

Findings

QPP with ~65 s period during impulsive phase

QPP with ~150 s period during decay phase

Persistent QPP linked to reconnection and MHD waves

Abstract

Solar flares often display pulsating and oscillatory signatures in the emission, known as quasi-periodic pulsations (QPP). QPP are typically identified during the impulsive phase of flares, yet in some cases, their presence is detected late into the decay phase. Here, we report extensive fine structure QPP that are detected throughout the large X8.2 flare from 2017 September 10. Following the analysis of the thermal pulsations observed in the GOES/XRS and the 131 A channel of SDO/AIA, we find a pulsation period of ~65 s during the impulsive phase followed by lower amplitude QPP with a period of ~150 s in the decay phase, up to three hours after the peak of the flare. We find that during the time of the impulsive QPP, the soft X-ray source observed with RHESSI rapidly rises at a velocity of approximately 17 km/s following the plasmoid/coronal mass ejection (CME) eruption. We interpret these QPP in terms of a manifestation of the reconnection dynamics in the eruptive event. During the long-duration decay phase lasting several hours, extended downward contractions of collapsing loops/plasmoids that reach the top of the flare arcade are observed in EUV. We note that the existence of persistent QPP into the decay phase of this flare are most likely related to these features. The QPP during this phase are discussed in terms of MHD wave modes triggered in the post-flaring loops.

Full text

An example of a Research Note of the American Astronomical Society (RNAAS)

Ethan Vishniac

Editor-in-Chief

Johns Hopkins University

Chris Lintott

RNAAS Editor

Oxford University

Greg J. Schwarz

American Astronomical Society

2000 Florida Ave., NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20009-1231, USA

August Muench

American Astronomical Society

2000 Florida Ave., NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20009-1231, USA

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