Observations of a prominence eruption and loop contraction

TL;DR

This study analyzes a prominence eruption and loop dynamics during a solar flare, providing observational constraints for eruption models and supporting the standard flare model with detailed imaging and X-ray data.

Contribution

It offers detailed observational analysis of prominence eruption and loop motions, highlighting the role of flux ropes and vortex development, which advances understanding of eruption mechanisms.

Findings

Loop contraction occurs 19 minutes after eruption start.

Erupting prominence is within a flux rope viewed along its axis.

Hard X-ray sources are identified at loop top and footpoints.

Abstract

Context. Prominence eruptions provide key observations to understand the launch of coronal mass ejections as their cold plasma traces a part of the unstable magnetic configuration. Aims. We select a well observed case to derive observational constraints for eruption models. Methods. We analyze the prominence eruption and loop expansion and contraction observed on 02 March 2015 associated with a GOES M3.7 class flare (SOL2015-03-02T15:27) using the data from Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). We study the prominence eruption and the evolution of loops using the time-distance techniques. Results. The source region is a decaying bipolar active region where magnetic flux cancellation is present for several days before the eruption. AIA observations locate the erupting prominence within a flux rope viewed along its local axis direction. We identify and quantify the motion of loops in contraction and expansion located on the side of the erupting flux rope. Finally, RHESSI hard X-ray observations identify the loop top and two foot-point sources. Conclusions. Both AIA and RHESSI observations support the standard model of eruptive flares. The contraction occurs 19 minutes after the start of the prominence eruption indicating that this contraction is not associated with the eruption driver. Rather, this prominence eruption is compatible with an unstable flux rope where the contraction and expansion of the lateral loop is the consequence of a side vortex developing after the flux rope is launched.