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Flare differentially rotates sunspot on Sun’s surface

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  • Chang Liu

    (Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights
    Big Bear Solar Observatory, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

  • Yan Xu

    (Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights
    Big Bear Solar Observatory, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

  • Wenda Cao

    (Big Bear Solar Observatory, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

  • Na Deng

    (Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights
    Big Bear Solar Observatory, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

  • Jeongwoo Lee

    (Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights
    Astronomy Program, Seoul National University)

  • Hugh S. Hudson

    (School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow
    Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California)

  • Dale E. Gary

    (Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

  • Jiasheng Wang

    (Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights
    Big Bear Solar Observatory, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

  • Ju Jing

    (Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights
    Big Bear Solar Observatory, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

  • Haimin Wang

    (Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights
    Big Bear Solar Observatory, New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights)

Abstract

Sunspots are concentrations of magnetic field visible on the solar surface (photosphere). It was considered implausible that solar flares, as resulted from magnetic reconnection in the tenuous corona, would cause a direct perturbation of the dense photosphere involving bulk motion. Here we report the sudden flare-induced rotation of a sunspot using the unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution of the 1.6 m New Solar Telescope, supplemented by magnetic data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory. It is clearly observed that the rotation is non-uniform over the sunspot: as the flare ribbon sweeps across, its different portions accelerate (up to ∼50° h−1) at different times corresponding to peaks of flare hard X-ray emission. The rotation may be driven by the surface Lorentz-force change due to the back reaction of coronal magnetic restructuring and is accompanied by a downward Poynting flux. These results have direct consequences for our understanding of energy and momentum transportation in the flare-related phenomena.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang Liu & Yan Xu & Wenda Cao & Na Deng & Jeongwoo Lee & Hugh S. Hudson & Dale E. Gary & Jiasheng Wang & Ju Jing & Haimin Wang, 2016. "Flare differentially rotates sunspot on Sun’s surface," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13104
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13104
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