Author name code: fang-c ADS astronomy entries on 2022-09-14 =author:"Fang, C." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Title: Decayless longitudinal oscillations of a solar filament maintained by quasi-periodic jets Authors: Ni, Y. W.; Guo, J. H.; Zhang, Q. M.; Chen, J. L.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2022A&A...663A..31N Altcode: 2022arXiv220315660N Context. As a ubiquitous phenomenon, large-amplitude longitudinal filament oscillations usually decay in 1-4 periods. Recently, we observed a decayless case of such oscillations in the corona.
Aims: We try to understand the physical process that maintains the decayless oscillation of the filament.
Methods: Multiwavelength imaging observations and magnetograms were collected to study the dynamics of the filament oscillation and its associated phenomena. To explain the decayless oscillations, we also performed one-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical simulations using the code MPI-AMRVAC.
Results: In observations, the filament oscillates without decay with a period of 36.4 ± 0.3 min for almost 4 h before eruption. During oscillations, four quasi-periodic jets emanate from a magnetic cancellation site near the filament. The time interval between neighboring jets is ∼68.9 ± 1.0 min. Numerical simulations constrained by the observations reproduced the decayless longitudinal oscillations. However, it is surprising to find that the period of the decayless oscillations is not consistent with the pendulum model.
Conclusions: We propose that the decayless longitudinal oscillations of the filament are maintained by quasi-periodic jets, which is verified by the hydrodynamic simulations. More importantly, it is found that, when it is driven by quasi-periodic jets, the period of the filament longitudinal oscillations also depends on the driving period of the jets, not on the pendulum period alone. With a parameter survey in simulations, we derived a formula by which the pendulum oscillation period can be derived using the observed period of decayless filament oscillations and the driving periods of jets.

Movie associated to Fig. 2 is available at https://www.aanda.org Title: Spectral Diagnostics of Solar Photospheric Bright Points Authors: Hao, Q.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Li, Z.; Cao, Wenda Bibcode: 2020ApJ...900..130H Altcode: 2020arXiv200709675H Through the use of the high-resolution spectral data and the broadband imaging obtained with the Goode Solar Telescope at the Big Bear Solar Observatory on 2013 June 6, the spectra of three typical photospheric bright points (PBPs) have been analyzed. Based on the Hα and Ca II 8542 Å line profiles, as well as the TiO continuum emission, for the first time, the non-LTE semiempirical atmospheric models for the PBPs are computed. The attractive characteristic is the temperature enhancement in the lower photosphere. The temperature enhancement is about 200-500 K at the same column mass density as in the atmospheric model of the quiet-Sun. The total excess radiative energy of a typical PBP is estimated to be 1 × 1027-2 × 1027 erg, which can be regarded as the lower limit energy of the PBPs. The radiation flux in the visible continuum for the PBPs is about 5.5 × 1010 erg cm-2 s-1. Our result also indicates that the temperature in the atmosphere above PBPs is close to that of a plage. It gives clear evidence that PBPs may contribute significantly to the heating of the plage atmosphere. Using our semiempirical atmospheric models, we estimate self-consistently the average magnetic flux density B in the PBPs. It is shown that the maximum value is about 1 kG, and it decreases toward both higher and lower layers, reminding us of the structure of a flux tube between photospheric granules. Title: Simulations of solar filament fine structures and their counterstreaming flows Authors: Zhou, Y. H.; Chen, P. F.; Hong, J.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2020NatAs...4..994Z Altcode: 2021arXiv210413564Z; 2020NatAs.tmp..110Z Solar filaments, also called solar prominences when appearing above the solar limb, are cold, dense materials suspended in the hot tenuous solar corona, consisting of numerous long, fibril-like threads. These threads are the key to disclosing the physics of solar filaments. Similar structures also exist in galaxy clusters. Besides their mysterious formation, filament threads are observed to move with alternating directions, which are called counterstreaming flows. However, the origin of these flows has not been clarified yet. Here we report that turbulent heating at the solar surface is the key, which randomly evaporates materials from the solar surface to the corona, naturally reproducing the formation and counterstreamings of the sparse threads in the solar corona. We further suggest that while the cold Hα counterstreamings are mainly due to longitudinal oscillations of the filament threads, there are million-kelvin counterstreamings in the corona between threads, which are alternating unidirectional flows. Title: Damping Mechanisms of the Solar Filament Longitudinal Oscillations in the Weak Magnetic Field Authors: Zhang, L. Y.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2019ApJ...884...74Z Altcode: 2019arXiv190807148Z Longitudinal oscillations of the solar filament have been investigated via numerical simulations continuously, but mainly in one dimension, where the magnetic field line is treated as a rigid flux tube. Whereas those one-dimensional (1D) simulations can roughly reproduce the observed oscillation periods, implying that gravity is the main restoring force for filament longitudinal oscillations, the decay time in 1D simulations is generally longer than in observations. In this paper, we perform a two-dimensional (2D) nonadiabatic magnetohydrodynamic simulation of filament longitudinal oscillations, and compare it with the 2D adiabatic case and 1D adiabatic and nonadiabatic cases. It is found that, whereas both nonadiabatic processes (radiation and heat conduction) can significantly reduce the decay time, wave leakage is another important mechanism to dissipate the kinetic energy of the oscillating filament when the magnetic field is weak so that gravity is comparable to Lorentz force. In this case, our simulations indicate that the pendulum model might lead to an error of ∼100% in determining the curvature radius of the dipped magnetic field using the longitudinal oscillation period when the gravity to Lorentz force ratio is close to unity. Title: Transition from Circular-ribbon to Parallel-ribbon Flares Associated with a Bifurcated Magnetic Flux Rope Authors: Zhong, Z.; Guo, Y.; Ding, M. D.; Fang, C.; Hao, Q. Bibcode: 2019ApJ...871..105Z Altcode: 2018arXiv181210223Z Magnetic flux ropes play a key role in triggering solar flares in the solar atmosphere. In this paper, we investigate the evolution of NOAA Active Region 12268 within 36 hr from 2015 January 29 to 30, during which a flux rope was formed and three M-class and three C-class flares were triggered without coronal mass ejections. During the evolution of the active region, the flare emission seen in the Hα and ultraviolet wavebands changed from a circular shape (plus an adjacent conjugated ribbon and a remote ribbon) to three relatively straight and parallel ribbons. Based on a series of reconstructed nonlinear force-free fields, we find sheared or twisted magnetic field lines and a large-scale quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) associated with 3D null points in a quadrupolar magnetic field. These features always existed and constantly evolved during the 2 days. The twist of the flux rope was gradually accumulated, eventually leading to its instability. Around the flux rope, there were some topological structures, including a bald patch, a hyperbolic flux tube, and a torus QSL. We discuss how the particular magnetic structure and its evolution produce the flare emission. In particular, the bifurcation of the flux rope can explain the transition of the flares from circular to parallel ribbons. We propose a two-stage evolution of the magnetic structure and its associated flares. In the first stage, sheared arcades under the dome-like large-scale QSL were gradually transformed into a flux rope through magnetic reconnection, which produced the circular-ribbon flare. In the second stage, the flux rope bifurcated to form the three relatively straight and parallel flare ribbons. Title: Waiting time distributions of solar and stellar flares: Poisson process or with memory? Authors: Li, C.; Zhong, S. J.; Xu, Z. G.; He, H.; Yan, Y.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2018MNRAS.479L.139L Altcode: 2018MNRAS.tmpL.121L We present the waiting time statistics of solar flares observed during the solar cycle 23 and of stellar flares produced by a solar-type star (KIC 11551430). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test is applied to examine the reliability of Poisson hypothesis for the flare production. Different degrees of departure from a Poisson process have been found, depending on the flare intensities and levels of star activities. We then fit the waiting time distributions with both the non-stationary Poisson function and the Weibull function. It is evident that a certain amount of memory is present during the period of high solar activities, consistent with the result of Telloni et al. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that the occurrence of relatively `weak' flares are persistently correlated, while the production of `super flares' is closer to a stochastic process statistically. Title: Sixty-Year Career in Solar Physics Authors: Fang, C. Bibcode: 2018SoPh..293...72F Altcode: This memoir reviews my academic career in solar physics for 60 years, including my research on non-LTE modeling, white-light flares, and small-scale solar activities. Through this narrative, the reader can catch a glimpse of the development of solar physics research in mainland China from scratch. In the end, some prospects for future development are given. Title: Three-dimensional MHD Simulations of Solar Prominence Oscillations in a Magnetic Flux Rope Authors: Zhou, Yu-Hao; Xia, C.; Keppens, R.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2018ApJ...856..179Z Altcode: 2018arXiv180303385Z Solar prominences are subject to all kinds of perturbations during their lifetime, and frequently demonstrate oscillations. The study of prominence oscillations provides an alternative way to investigate their internal magnetic and thermal structures because the characteristics of the oscillations depend on their interplay with the solar corona. Prominence oscillations can be classified into longitudinal and transverse types. We perform three-dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulations of prominence oscillations along a magnetic flux rope, with the aim of comparing the oscillation periods with those predicted by various simplified models and examining the restoring force. We find that the longitudinal oscillation has a period of about 49 minutes, which is in accordance with the pendulum model where the field-aligned component of gravity serves as the restoring force. In contrast, the horizontal transverse oscillation has a period of about 10 minutes and the vertical transverse oscillation has a period of about 14 minutes, and both of them can be nicely fitted with a two-dimensional slab model. We also find that the magnetic tension force dominates most of the time in transverse oscillations, except for the first minute when magnetic pressure overwhelms it. Title: Automated Detection Methods for Solar Activities and an Application for Statistic Analysis of Solar Filament Authors: Hao, Q.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2018IAUS..340..101H Altcode: 2018arXiv180403320H With the rapid development of telescopes, both temporal cadence and the spatial resolution of observations are increasing. This in turn generates vast amount of data, which can be efficiently searched only with automated detections in order to derive the features of interest in the observations. A number of automated detection methods and algorithms have been developed for solar activities, based on the image processing and machine learning techniques. In this paper, after briefly reviewing some automated detection methods, we describe our efficient and versatile automated detection method for solar filaments. It is able not only to recognize filaments, determine the features such as the position, area, spine, and other relevant parameters, but also to trace the daily evolution of the filaments. It is applied to process the full disk Hα data observed in nearly three solar cycles, and some statistic results are presented. Title: A circular white-light flare with impulsive and gradual white-light kernels Authors: Hao, Q.; Yang, K.; Cheng, X.; Guo, Y.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Chen, P. F.; Li, Z. Bibcode: 2017NatCo...8.2202H Altcode: 2017arXiv171207279H White-light flares are the flares with emissions visible in the optical continuum. They are thought to be rare and pose the most stringent requirements in energy transport and heating in the lower atmosphere. Here we present a nearly circular white-light flare on 10 March 2015 that was well observed by the Optical and Near-infrared Solar Eruption Tracer and Solar Dynamics Observatory. In this flare, there appear simultaneously both impulsive and gradual white-light kernels. The generally accepted thick-target model would be responsible for the impulsive kernels but not sufficient to interpret the gradual kernels. Some other mechanisms including soft X-ray backwarming or downward-propagating Alfvén waves, acting jointly with electron beam bombardment, provide a possible interpretation. However, the origin of this kind of white-light kernel is still an open question that induces more observations and researches in the future to decipher it. Title: Solar Filament Longitudinal Oscillations along a Magnetic Field Tube with Two Dips Authors: Zhou, Yu-Hao; Zhang, Li-Yue; Ouyang, Y.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2017ApJ...839....9Z Altcode: 2017arXiv170306560Z Large-amplitude longitudinal oscillations of solar filaments have been observed and explored for more than ten years. Previous studies are mainly based on the one-dimensional rigid flux tube model with a single magnetic dip. However, it has been noted that there might be two magnetic dips, and hence two threads, along one magnetic field line. Following previous work, we intend to investigate the kinematics of the filament longitudinal oscillations when two threads are magnetically connected, which is done by solving one-dimensional radiative hydrodynamic equations with the numerical code MPI-AMRVAC. Two different types of perturbations are considered, and the difference from previous works resulting from the interaction of the two filament threads is investigated. We find that even with the inclusion of the thread-thread interaction, the oscillation period is modified weakly, by at most 20% compared to the traditional pendulum model with one thread. However, the damping timescale is significantly affected by the thread-thread interaction. Hence, we should take it into account when applying the consistent seismology to the filaments where two threads are magnetically connected. Title: Magnetic Separatrix as the Source Region of the Plasma Supply for an Active-region Filament Authors: Zou, P.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Yang, K.; Cao, Wenda Bibcode: 2017ApJ...836..122Z Altcode: 2017arXiv170101526Z Solar filaments can be formed via chromospheric evaporation followed by condensation in the corona or by the direct injection of cool plasma from the chromosphere to the corona. We here confirm with high-resolution Hα data observed by the 1.6 m New Solar Telescope of the Big Bear Solar Observatory on 2015 August 21 that an active-region filament is maintained by the continuous injection of cold chromospheric plasma. We find that the filament is rooted along a bright ridge in Hα, which corresponds to the intersection of a magnetic quasi-separatrix layer with the solar surface. This bright ridge consists of many small patches whose sizes are comparable to the width of the filament threads. It is found that upflows originate from the brighter patches of the ridge, whereas the downflows move toward the weaker patches of the ridge. The whole filament is composed of two opposite-direction streams, implying that longitudinal oscillations are not the only cause of the counterstreamings, and unidirectional siphon flows with alternative directions are another possibility. Title: Chirality and Magnetic Configurations of Solar Filaments Authors: Ouyang, Y.; Zhou, Y. H.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2017ApJ...835...94O Altcode: 2016arXiv161201054O It has been revealed that the magnetic topology in the solar atmosphere displays hemispheric preference, i.e., helicity is mainly negative/positive in the northern/southern hemispheres, respectively. However, the strength of the hemispheric rule and its cyclic variation are controversial. In this paper, we apply a new method based on the filament drainage to 571 erupting filaments from 2010 May to 2015 December in order to determine the filament chirality and its hemispheric preference. It is found that 91.6% of our sample of erupting filaments follows the hemispheric rule of helicity sign. It is also found that the strength of the hemispheric preference of the quiescent filaments decreases slightly from ∼97% in the rising phase to ∼85% in the declining phase of solar cycle 24, whereas the strength of the intermediate filaments keeps a high value around 96 ± 4% at all times. Only the active-region filaments show significant variations. Their strength of the hemispheric rule rises from ∼63% to ∼95% in the rising phase, and keeps a high value of 82% ± 5% during the declining phase. Furthermore, during a half-year period around the solar maximum, their hemispheric preference totally vanishes. Additionally, we also diagnose the magnetic configurations of the filaments based on our indirect method and find that in our sample of erupting events, 89% are inverse-polarity filaments with a flux rope magnetic configuration, whereas 11% are normal-polarity filaments with a sheared arcade configuration. Title: Breaking of Magnetic Connectivity and Flare Initial Eruption Authors: He, H.; Wang, H. N.; Yan, Y.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2016AGUFMSH13C2307H Altcode: By quantitatively analyzing the 3-D coronal magnetic fields (reconstructed using the nonlinear force-free field model) associated with the X3.4-class solar flare event of AR 10930, a prominent magnetic connectivity with strong negative α (force-free factor) values and strong current density before the flare is revealed. This magnetic connectivity extends along the main polarity inversion line and is found to be totally broken after the flare. A cramped positive α region appearing in the photosphere is identified as the cause of the breaking of magnetic connectivity. The comparison with the flare onset imaging observation exhibits that the breaking site of the magnetic connectivity coincides with the location of the flare initial eruption. A scenario for flare initial eruption is therefore proposed, in which the Lorentz force acting on the isolated electric current at the magnetic connectivity breaking site lifts the associated plasmas and causes the initial ejection. The content of this presentation is based on a published paper (He et al., 2014, JGR-Space Physics, 119, 3286-3315; also see arXiv:1605.00367). Title: Can a Fast-Mode EUV Wave Generate a Stationary Front? Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Chandra, R.; Srivastava, A. K. Bibcode: 2016SoPh..291.3195C Altcode: 2016arXiv160407982C; 2016SoPh..tmp...89C The discovery of stationary "EIT waves" about 16 years ago posed a big challenge to the then favorite fast-mode wave model for coronal "EIT waves". It encouraged various non-wave models and played an important role in convergence of the opposing viewpoints toward the recent consensus that there are two types of EUV waves. However, it was recently discovered that a stationary wave front can also be generated when a fast-mode wave passes through a magnetic quasi-separatrix layer (QSL). In this article, we perform a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulation of the interaction between a fast-mode wave and a magnetic QSL, and a stationary wave front is reproduced. The analysis of the numerical results indicates that near the plasma beta ∼1 layer in front of the magnetic QSL, part of the fast-mode wave is converted to a slow-mode MHD wave, which is then trapped inside the magnetic loops, forming a stationary wave front. Our results imply that we have to be cautious in identifying the nature of a wave, since there may be mode conversion during the propagation of the waves driven by solar eruptions. Title: Material Supply and Magnetic Configuration of an Active Region Filament Authors: Zou, P.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Yang, K.; Hao, Q.; Cao, Wenda Bibcode: 2016ApJ...831..123Z Altcode: 2017arXiv170102407Z It is important to study the fine structures of solar filaments with high-resolution observations, since it can help us understand the magnetic and thermal structures of the filaments and their dynamics. In this paper, we study a newly formed filament located inside the active region NOAA 11762, which was observed by the 1.6 m New Solar Telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory from 16:40:19 UT to 17:07:58 UT on 2013 June 5. As revealed by the Hα filtergrams, cool material is seen to be injected into the filament spine with a speed of 5-10 km s-1. At the source of the injection, brightenings are identified in the chromosphere, which are accompanied by magnetic cancellation in the photosphere, implying the importance of magnetic reconnection in replenishing the filament with plasmas from the lower atmosphere. Counter-streamings are detected near one endpoint of the filament, with the plane-of-the-sky speed being 7-9 km s-1 in the Hα red-wing filtergrams and 9-25 km s-1 in the blue-wing filtergrams. The observations are indicative that this active region filament is supported by a sheared arcade without magnetic dips, and the counter-streamings are due to unidirectional flows with alternative directions, rather than due to the longitudinal oscillations of filament threads as in many other filaments. Title: Statistical Analysis of Filament Features Based on the Hα Solar Images from 1988 to 2013 by Computer Automated Detection Method Authors: Hao, Q.; Fang, C.; Cao, W.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2015ApJS..221...33H Altcode: 2015arXiv151104692H We improve our filament automated detection method which was proposed in our previous works. It is then applied to process the full disk Hα data mainly obtained by the Big Bear Solar Observatory from 1988 to 2013, spanning nearly three solar cycles. The butterfly diagrams of the filaments, showing the information of the filament area, spine length, tilt angle, and the barb number, are obtained. The variations of these features with the calendar year and the latitude band are analyzed. The drift velocities of the filaments in different latitude bands are calculated and studied. We also investigate the north-south (N-S) asymmetries of the filament numbers in total and in each subclass classified according to the filament area, spine length, and tilt angle. The latitudinal distribution of the filament number is found to be bimodal. About 80% of all the filaments have tilt angles within [0°, 60°]. For the filaments within latitudes lower (higher) than 50°, the northeast (northwest) direction is dominant in the northern hemisphere and the southeast (southwest) direction is dominant in the southern hemisphere. The latitudinal migrations of the filaments experience three stages with declining drift velocities in each of solar cycles 22 and 23, and it seems that the drift velocity is faster in shorter solar cycles. Most filaments in latitudes lower (higher) than 50° migrate toward the equator (polar region). The N-S asymmetry indices indicate that the southern hemisphere is the dominant hemisphere in solar cycle 22 and the northern hemisphere is the dominant one in solar cycle 23. Title: A Two-ribbon White-light Flare Associated with a Failed Solar Eruption Observed by ONSET, SDO, and IRIS Authors: Cheng, X.; Hao, Q.; Ding, M. D.; Liu, K.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Liu, Y. D. Bibcode: 2015ApJ...809...46C Altcode: 2015arXiv150702109C Two-ribbon brightenings are one of the most remarkable characteristics of an eruptive solar flare and are often used to predict the occurrence of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Nevertheless, it was recently called into question whether all two-ribbon flares are eruptive. In this paper, we investigate a two-ribbon-like white-light (WL) flare that is associated with a failed magnetic flux rope (MFR) eruption on 2015 January 13, which has no accompanying CME in the WL coronagraph. Observations by the Optical and Near-infrared Solar Eruption Tracer and the Solar Dynamics Observatory reveal that with the increase of the flare emission and the acceleration of the unsuccessfully erupting MFR, two isolated kernels appear at the WL 3600 Å passband and quickly develop into two elongated ribbon-like structures. The evolution of the WL continuum enhancement is completely coincident in time with the variation of Fermi hard X-ray 26-50 keV flux. An increase of continuum emission is also clearly visible at the whole FUV and NUV passbands observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph. Moreover, in one WL kernel, the Si iv, C ii, and Mg ii h/k lines display significant enhancement and non-thermal broadening. However, their Doppler velocity pattern is location-dependent. At the strongly bright pixels, these lines exhibit a blueshift, while at moderately bright ones, the lines are generally redshifted. These results show that the failed MFR eruption is also able to produce a two-ribbon flare and high-energy electrons that heat the lower atmosphere, causing the enhancement of the WL and FUV/NUV continuum emissions and chromospheric evaporation. Title: Extreme ultraviolet imaging of three-dimensional magnetic reconnection in a solar eruption Authors: Sun, J. Q.; Cheng, X.; Ding, M. D.; Guo, Y.; Priest, E. R.; Parnell, C. E.; Edwards, S. J.; Zhang, J.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2015NatCo...6.7598S Altcode: 2015NatCo...6E7598S; 2015arXiv150608255S Magnetic reconnection, a change of magnetic field connectivity, is a fundamental physical process in which magnetic energy is released explosively, and it is responsible for various eruptive phenomena in the universe. However, this process is difficult to observe directly. Here, the magnetic topology associated with a solar reconnection event is studied in three dimensions using the combined perspectives of two spacecraft. The sequence of extreme ultraviolet images clearly shows that two groups of oppositely directed and non-coplanar magnetic loops gradually approach each other, forming a separator or quasi-separator and then reconnecting. The plasma near the reconnection site is subsequently heated from ~1 to >=5 MK. Shortly afterwards, warm flare loops (~3 MK) appear underneath the hot plasma. Other observational signatures of reconnection, including plasma inflows and downflows, are unambiguously revealed and quantitatively measured. These observations provide direct evidence of magnetic reconnection in a three-dimensional configuration and reveal its origin. Title: Imaging and Spectroscopic Diagnostics on the Formation of Two Magnetic Flux Ropes Revealed by SDO/AIA and IRIS Authors: Cheng, X.; Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2015ApJ...804...82C Altcode: 2015arXiv150207801C Helical magnetic flux rope (MFR) is a fundamental structure of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and has been discovered recently to exist as a sigmoidal channel structure prior to its eruption in the EUV high-temperature passbands of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA). However, when and where the MFR is built up are still elusive. In this paper, we investigate two MFRs (MFR1 and MFR2) in detail, whose eruptions produced two energetic solar flares and CMEs on 2014 April 18 and 2014 September 10, respectively. The AIA EUV images reveal that for a long time prior to their eruption, both MFR1 and MFR2 are under formation, which is probably through magnetic reconnection between two groups of sheared arcades driven by the shearing and converging flows in the photosphere near the polarity inversion line. At the footpoints of the MFR1, the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph Si iv, C ii, and Mg ii lines exhibit weak to moderate redshifts and a non-thermal broadening in the pre-flare phase. However, a relatively large blueshift and an extremely strong non-thermal broadening are found at the formation site of the MFR2. These spectral features consolidate the proposition that the reconnection plays an important role in the formation of MFRs. For the MFR1, the reconnection outflow may propagate along its legs, penetrating into the transition region and the chromosphere at the footpoints. For the MFR2, the reconnection probably takes place in the lower atmosphere and results in the strong blueshift and non-thermal broadening for the Mg ii, C ii, and Si iv lines. Title: Waiting Time Distribution of Solar Energetic Particle Events Modeled with a Non-stationary Poisson Process Authors: Li, C.; Zhong, S. J.; Wang, L.; Su, W.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2014ApJ...792L..26L Altcode: 2014arXiv1408.2306L We present a study of the waiting time distributions (WTDs) of solar energetic particle (SEP) events observed with the spacecraft WIND and GOES. The WTDs of both solar electron events (SEEs) and solar proton events (SPEs) display a power-law tail of ~Δt . The SEEs display a broken power-law WTD. The power-law index is γ1 = 0.99 for the short waiting times (<70 hr) and γ2 = 1.92 for large waiting times (>100 hr). The break of the WTD of SEEs is probably due to the modulation of the corotating interaction regions. The power-law index, γ ~ 1.82, is derived for the WTD of the SPEs which is consistent with the WTD of type II radio bursts, indicating a close relationship between the shock wave and the production of energetic protons. The WTDs of SEP events can be modeled with a non-stationary Poisson process, which was proposed to understand the waiting time statistics of solar flares. We generalize the method and find that, if the SEP event rate λ = 1/Δt varies as the time distribution of event rate f(λ) = Aλexp (- βλ), the time-dependent Poisson distribution can produce a power-law tail WTD of ~Δt α - 3, where 0 <= α < 2. Title: Imaging and Spectroscopic Observations of a Filament Channel and the Implications for the Nature of Counter-streamings Authors: Chen, P. F.; Harra, L. K.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2014ApJ...784...50C Altcode: 2014arXiv1401.4514C The dynamics of a filament channel are observed with imaging and spectroscopic telescopes before and during the filament eruption on 2011 January 29. The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral observations reveal that there are no EUV counterparts of the Hα counter-streamings in the filament channel, implying that the ubiquitous Hα counter-streamings found by previous research are mainly due to longitudinal oscillations of filament threads, which are not in phase between each other. However, there exist larger-scale patchy counter-streamings in EUV along the filament channel from one polarity to the other, implying that there is another component of unidirectional flow (in the range of ±10 km s-1) inside each filament thread in addition to the implied longitudinal oscillation. Our results suggest that the flow direction of the larger-scale patchy counter-streaming plasma in the EUV is related to the intensity of the plage or active network, with the upflows being located at brighter areas of the plage and downflows at the weaker areas. We propose a new method to determine the chirality of an erupting filament on the basis of the skewness of the conjugate filament drainage sites. This method suggests that the right-skewed drainage corresponds to sinistral chirality, whereas the left-skewed drainage corresponds to dextral chirality. Title: Developing an Advanced Automated Method for Solar Filament Recognition and Its Scientific Application to a Solar Cycle of MLSO Hα Data Authors: Hao, Q.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2013SoPh..286..385H Altcode: 2013arXiv1303.6367H We developed a method to automatically detect and trace solar filaments in Hα full-disk images. The program is able not only to recognize filaments and determine their properties, such as the position, the area, the spine, and other relevant parameters, but also to trace the daily evolution of the filaments. The program consists of three steps: First, preprocessing is applied to correct the original images; second, the Canny edge-detection method is used to detect filaments; third, filament properties are recognized through morphological operators. To test the algorithm, we successfully applied it to observations from the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO). We analyzed Hα images obtained by the MLSO from 1998 to 2009 and obtained a butterfly diagram of filaments. This shows that the latitudinal migration of solar filaments has three trends in Solar Cycle 23: The drift velocity was fast from 1998 to the solar maximum, after which it became relatively slow. After 2006, the migration became divergent, signifying the solar minimum. About 60 % of the filaments with latitudes higher than 50 migrate toward the polar regions with relatively high velocities, and the latitudinal migrating speeds in the northern and the southern hemispheres do not differ significantly in Solar Cycle 23. Title: Radiative Hydrodynamic Simulations of He I 10830 Å Authors: Cheng, J. X.; Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2013IAUS..294..545C Altcode: We study the properties of the He I 10830 Å line under the bombardment of nonthermal electron beam. Using radiative hydrodynamics method, we obtain the line profiles from different model atmospheres by varying the electron beam fluxes. Below a certain electron flux, the spectra become much more absorptions as nonthemal flux increases. Above the threshold, the spectral intensities increase as the flux goes up. We also investigate the temporal evolution of the spectra under the nonthermal heating. For weak electron flux, the profiles evolve from weak absorptions to strong absorptions. For strong nonthermal heating, the profiles can be significantly changed from absorptions to emissions. The spectra also show red or blue asymmetries. Title: A new MHD code with adaptive mesh refinement and parallelization for astrophysics Authors: Jiang, R. -L.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. -F. Bibcode: 2012CoPhC.183.1617J Altcode: 2012arXiv1204.5849J A new code, named MAP, is written in FORTRAN language for magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations with the adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) and Message Passing Interface (MPI) parallelization. There are several optional numerical schemes for computing the MHD part, namely, modified Mac Cormack Scheme (MMC), Lax-Friedrichs scheme (LF), and weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme. All of them are second-order, two-step, component-wise schemes for hyperbolic conservative equations. The total variation diminishing (TVD) limiters and approximate Riemann solvers are also equipped. A high resolution can be achieved by the hierarchical block-structured AMR mesh. We use the extended generalized Lagrange multiplier (EGLM) MHD equations to reduce the non-divergence free error produced by the scheme in the magnetic induction equation. The numerical algorithms for the non-ideal terms, e.g., the resistivity and the thermal conduction, are also equipped in the code. The details of the AMR and MPI algorithms are described in the paper. Title: Understanding the white-light flare on 2012 March 9: evidence of a two-step magnetic reconnection Authors: Hao, Q.; Guo, Y.; Dai, Y.; Ding, M. D.; Li, Z.; Zhang, X. Y.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2012A&A...544L..17H Altcode: 2012arXiv1211.1751H
Aims: We attempt to understand the white-light flare (WLF) that was observed on 2012 March 9 with a newly constructed multi-wavelength solar telescope called the Optical and Near-infrared Solar Eruption Tracer (ONSET).
Methods: We analyzed WLF observations in radio, Hα, white-light, ultraviolet, and X-ray bands. We also studied the magnetic configuration of the flare via the nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) extrapolation and the vector magnetic field observed by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
Results: Continuum emission enhancement clearly appeared at the 3600 Å and 4250 Å bands, with peak contrasts of 25% and 12%, respectively. The continuum emission enhancement closely coincided with the impulsive increase in the hard X-ray emission and a microwave type III burst at 03:40 UT. We find that the WLF appeared at one end of either the sheared or twisted field lines or both. There was also a long-lasting phase in the Hα and soft X-ray bands after the white-light emission peak. In particular, a second, yet stronger, peak appeared at 03:56 UT in the microwave band.
Conclusions: This event shows clear evidence that the white-light emission was caused by energetic particles bombarding the lower solar atmosphere. A two-step magnetic reconnection scenario is proposed to explain the entire process of flare evolution, i.e., the first-step magnetic reconnection between the field lines that are highly sheared or twisted or both, and the second-step one in the current sheet, which is stretched by the erupting flux rope. The WLF is supposed to be triggered in the first-step magnetic reconnection at a relatively low altitude. Title: ONSET-A New Multi-Wavelength Solar Telescope Authors: Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Ding, M. D.; Dai, Y.; Li, Z. Bibcode: 2012EAS....55..349F Altcode: A new multi-wavelength solar telescope, Optical and Near-infrared Solar Eruption Tracer (ONSET), is constructed by Nanjing University, being run in cooperation with Yunnan Astronomical Observatory. ONSET is able to observe the Sun in three wavelength windows: He I 10830 Å, Hα and white-light at 3600 Å or 4250 Å. Full-disk or partial solar images with a field of 10 arcmin at three wavelengths can be obtained nearly simultaneously. It is designed to trace solar eruptions with high spatial and temporal resolutions. This telescope has been installed at a new solar observing site near the Fuxian Lake, Yunnan Province. The site is located at E102N24, with an altitude of 1722 m. The seeing is stable and very nice. We give a brief description of the scientific objectives and the basic structure of ONSET. Some preliminary results are also shown. Title: Magnetic Reconnection in a Canopy-type Magnetic Configuration for Solar Microflares Authors: Jiang, R. -L.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. -F. Bibcode: 2012EAS....55..107J Altcode: We performed 2.5D compressible resistive MHD simulations of magnetic reconnection with gravity considered. The background magnetic field is a canopy-type configuration which is rooted at the boundary of the solar supergranule. By changing the bottom boundary conditions in the simulations, an emerging flux rises up at the center of the supergranule and reconnects with the canopy magnetic field. We successfully simulate the coronal and chromospheric microflares, whose current sheets locate at the corona and chromosphere respectively. The coronal microflare is triggered by the reconnection at the corona, whose size and temperature enhancement is bigger and higher than the chromospheric one. We also found a hot jet (~1.8 × 106 K) relating to the observational EUV/SXR jet and a cold jet (~104 K) corresponding to the observational Hα/Ca surge or brightening in the coronal case. Whereas there is only Hα/Ca bright point in the chromospheric one. Title: Foreword Authors: Faurobert, M.; Fang, C.; Corbard, T. Bibcode: 2012EAS....55....1F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Numerical Simulation of Solar Microflares in a Canopy-type Magnetic Configuration Authors: Jiang, R. -L.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. -F. Bibcode: 2012ApJ...751..152J Altcode: 2012arXiv1204.5847J Microflares are small activities in the solar low atmosphere; some are in the low corona while others are in the chromosphere. Observations show that some of the microflares are triggered by magnetic reconnection between the emerging flux and a pre-existing background magnetic field. We perform 2.5-dimensional, compressible, resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the magnetic reconnection with gravity considered. The background magnetic field is a canopy-type configuration that is rooted at the boundary of the solar supergranule. By changing the bottom boundary conditions in the simulation, a new magnetic flux emerges at the center of the supergranule and reconnects with the canopy-type magnetic field. We successfully simulate the coronal and chromospheric microflares whose current sheets are located at the corona and the chromosphere, respectively. The microflare with a coronal origin has a larger size and a higher temperature enhancement than the microflare with a chromospheric origin. In the microflares with coronal origins, we also found a hot jet (~1.8 × 106 K), which is probably related to the observational extreme ultraviolet or soft X-ray jets, and a cold jet (~104 K), which is similar to the observational Hα/Ca surges. However, there is only a Hα/Ca bright point in the microflares that have chromospheric origins. The study of parameter dependence shows that the size and strength of the emerging magnetic flux are the key parameters that determine the height of the reconnection location, and they further determine the different observational features of the microflares. Title: Understanding Solar Activity: Advances and Challenges Authors: Faurobert, M.; Fang, C.; Corbard, T. Bibcode: 2012EAS....55.....F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: A Converging View on EIT Waves Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2012EAS....55..313C Altcode: Coronal "EIT wave" is a large-scale wavelike phenomenon propagating across the major part of the Sun. Debates are being continued regarding a more suitable name for it, its source driver, and its nature. "EIT waves" have been widely explained in terms of fast-mode waves, despite that the model contradicts with many observational features. Two-types of EUV waves were predicted 10 years ago. With the recent high-cadence observations, mainly from SDO/AIA telescope, more and more evidence has been revealed in favor of the two-wave model. In this paper, after summarizing different names used for EIT waves in the literature, we show how the community are getting close to reaching a consensus on the nature of EIT waves. Title: Two Types of Magnetic Reconnection in Coronal Bright Points and the Corresponding Magnetic Configuration Authors: Zhang, Q. M.; Chen, P. F.; Guo, Y.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2012ApJ...746...19Z Altcode: Coronal bright points (CBPs) are long-lived small-scale brightenings in the solar corona. They are generally explained by magnetic reconnection. However, the corresponding magnetic configurations are not well understood. We carry out a detailed multi-wavelength analysis of two neighboring CBPs on 2007 March 16, observed in soft X-ray (SXR) and EUV channels. It is seen that the SXR light curves present quasi-periodic flashes with an interval of ~1 hr superposed over the long-lived mild brightenings, suggesting that the SXR brightenings of this type of CBPs might consist of two components: one is the gentle brightenings and the other is the CBP flashes. It is found that the strong flashes of the bigger CBP are always accompanied by SXR jets. The potential field extrapolation indicates that both CBPs are covered by a dome-like separatrix surface, with a magnetic null point above. We propose that the repetitive CBP flashes, as well as the recurrent SXR jets, result from the impulsive null-point reconnection, while the long-lived brightenings are due to the interchange reconnection along the separatrix surface. Although the EUV images at high-temperature lines resemble the SXR appearance, the 171 Å and 195 Å channels reveal that the blurry CBP in SXR consists of a cusp-shaped loop and several separate bright patches, which are explained to be due to the null-point reconnection and the separatrix reconnection, respectively. Title: "EIT waves" and coronal mass ejections Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2011ASInC...2..229C Altcode: 2011arXiv1108.5274C Coronal "EIT waves" appear as EUV bright fronts propagating across a significant part of the solar disk. The intriguing phenomenon provoked continuing debates on their nature and their relation with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). In this paper, we first summarize all the observational features of "EIT waves", which should be accounted for by any successful model. The theoretical models constructed during the past 10 years are then reviewed. Finally, the implication of the "EIT wave" research to the understanding of CMEs is discussed. The necessity is pointed out to revisit the nature of CME frontal loop. Title: History and progress of solar research in China Authors: Fang, C. Bibcode: 2011ASInC...2..343F Altcode: After a brief introduction of ancient Chinese records on the Sun, we describe the beginnings of modern solar research in China in the 20th century. The main contents are focused on the progress of solar research in China after the 1950s, including the development of solar research in Purple Mountain Observatory, National Astronomical Observatories, Yunnan Astronomical Observatory, and some astronomy departments in the universities. In particular, the constructions of solar observational facilities, the increase of the numbers of solar researchers and students, as well as the main topics of solar research since 1980s are described in details. Some issues and prospects are being discussed. Title: Numerical Simulations of Chromospheric Microflares Authors: Jiang, R. L.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2010ApJ...710.1387J Altcode: 2010arXiv1012.0661J With gravity, ionization, and radiation being considered, we perform 2.5 dimensional (2.5D) compressible resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of chromospheric magnetic reconnection using the CIP-MOCCT scheme. The temperature distribution of the quiet-Sun atmospheric model VALC and the helium abundance (10%) are adopted. Our 2.5D MHD simulation reproduces qualitatively the temperature enhancement observed in chromospheric microflares. The temperature enhancement ΔT is demonstrated to be sensitive to the background magnetic field, whereas the total evolution time Δt is sensitive to the magnitude of the anomalous resistivity. Moreover, we found a scaling law, which is described as ΔT/Δt ~ n H -1.5 B 2.1η0 0.88. Our results also indicate that the velocity of the upward jet is much greater than that of the downward jet, and the X-point may move up or down. Title: Solar source of energetic particles in interplanetary space during the 2006 December 13 event Authors: Li, C.; Dai, Y.; Vial, J. -C.; Owen, C. J.; Matthews, S. A.; Tang, Y. H.; Fang, C.; Fazakerley, A. N. Bibcode: 2009A&A...503.1013L Altcode: 2013arXiv1305.5593L An X3.4 solar flare and a fast halo coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred on 2006 December 13, accompanied by a high flux of energetic particles recorded both in near-Earth space and at ground level. Our purpose is to provide evidence of flare acceleration in a major solar energetic particle (SEP) event. We first present observations from ACE/EPAM, GOES, and the Apatity neutron monitor. It is found that the initial particle release time coincides with the flare emission and that the spectrum becomes softer and the anisotropy becomes weaker during particle injection, indicating that the acceleration source changes from a confined coronal site to a widespread interplanetary CME-driven shock. We then describe a comprehensive study of the associated flare active region. By use of imaging data from HINODE/SOT and SOHO/MDI magnetogram, we infer the flare magnetic reconnection rate in the form of the magnetic flux change rate. This correlates in time with the microwave emission, indicating a physical link between the flare magnetic reconnection and the acceleration of nonthermal particles. Combining radio spectrograph data from Huairou/NOAC, Culgoora/IPS, Learmonth/RSTN, and WAVES/WIND leads to a continuous and longlasting radio burst extending from a few GHz down to several kHz. Based on the photospheric vector magnetogram from Huairou/NOAC and the nonlinear force free field (NFFF) reconstruction method, we derive the 3D magnetic field configuration shortly after the eruption. Furthermore, we also compute coronal field lines extending to a few solar radii using a potential-field source-surface (PFSS) model. Both the so-called type III-l burst and the magnetic field configuration suggest that open-field lines extend from the flare active region into interplanetary space, allowing the accelerated and charged particles escape. Title: Coronal Mass Ejection Induced Outflows Observed with Hinode/EIS Authors: Jin, M.; Ding, M. D.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Imada, S. Bibcode: 2009ApJ...702...27J Altcode: We investigate the outflows associated with two halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that occurred on 2006 December 13 and 14 in NOAA 10930, using the Hinode/EIS observations. Each CME was accompanied by an EIT wave and coronal dimmings. Dopplergrams in the dimming regions are obtained from the spectra of seven EIS lines. The results show that strong outflows are visible in the dimming regions during the CME eruption at different heights from the lower transition region to the corona. It is found that the velocity is positively correlated with the photospheric magnetic field, as well as the magnitude of the dimming. We estimate the mass loss based on height-dependent EUV dimmings and find it to be smaller than the CME mass derived from white-light observations. The mass difference is attributed partly to the uncertain atmospheric model, and partly to the transition region outflows, which refill the coronal dimmings. Title: Spectral analysis of a micro-two-ribbon flare Authors: Fang, C.; Jiang, R. L.; Tang, Y. H. Bibcode: 2009EGUGA..11.2658F Altcode: Using high resolution Halpha, CaII 8542 A and FeI 6302.5 A Stokes spectral data obtained simultaneously with THEMIS, we analyze the spectra of the micro-two-ribbon flare (MTRF) on 5th September 2002. The intensity, velocity and longitudinal magnetic field maps are obtained. The hard X-ray emission observed by RHESSI provides evidence of non-thermal particle acceleration in the MTRF. Using the Halpha and CaII 8542 A line profiles and the non-LTE calculation, we obtain the semi-empirical atmospheric models for two brightest kernels of the MTRF. The result indicates that the temperature enhancement in the chromosphere is more than 2500 K. The kinetic and radiative energy of the MTRF are estimated. Title: Energy Spectrum of the Electrons Accelerated by a Reconnection Electric Field: Exponential or Power Law? Authors: Liu, W. J.; Chen, P. F.; Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2009ApJ...690.1633L Altcode: 2008arXiv0809.1212L The direct current (DC) electric field near the reconnection region has been proposed as an effective mechanism to accelerate protons and electrons in solar flares. A power-law energy spectrum was generally claimed in the simulations of electron acceleration by the reconnection electric field. However in most of the literature, the electric and magnetic fields were chosen independently. In this paper, we perform test-particle simulations of electron acceleration in a reconnecting magnetic field, where both the electric and magnetic fields are adopted from numerical simulations of the MHD equations. It is found that the accelerated electrons present a truncated power-law energy spectrum with an exponential tail at high energies, which is analogous to the case of diffusive shock acceleration. The influences of reconnection parameters on the spectral feature are also investigated, such as the longitudinal and transverse components of the magnetic field and the size of the current sheet. It is suggested that the DC electric field alone might not be able to reproduce the observed single or double power-law distributions. Title: A complicated solar eruption event on 2003 October 26. Solar flare Authors: Ning, Zongjun; Ding, M. D.; Qiu, K. P.; Li, H.; Su, Y. N.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2008Ap&SS.315...45N Altcode: 2008Ap&SS.tmp...73N We present multi-wavelength observations of a complicated solar eruption event to associate with an X1.2 flare and a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on 2003 October 26. The soft X-ray profile shows a possibility for occurrence of two flares with peaks around 06:20 and 07:00 UT. According to our observations, there are many evidences to show that they are corresponding to two energy releases. The first one produces type II, type III, moving type IV continua, a decimetric burst (DCIM) and strong emissions at H α, 195 and 1600 Å; While the second energy release only produces a group of RS-III bursts, DCIM and H α emissions. It appears that the first energy release is associated with a CME, while the second CME is quiet. Such observational difference between two energy releases is found indicating two magnetic reconnection processes occurrence with different plasma situation. Title: SMESE (SMall Explorer for Solar Eruptions): A microsatellite mission with combined solar payload Authors: Vial, J. -C.; Auchère, F.; Chang, J.; Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q.; Klein, K. -L.; Prado, J. -Y.; Rouesnel, F.; Sémery, A.; Trottet, G.; Wang, C. Bibcode: 2008AdSpR..41..183V Altcode: The SMESE (SMall Explorer for Solar Eruptions) mission is a microsatellite proposed by France and China. The payload of SMESE consists of three packages: LYOT (a Lyman α imager and a Lyman α coronagraph), DESIR (an Infra-red Telescope working at 35 80 and 100 250 μm), and HEBS (a High Energy Burst Spectrometer working in X- and gamma-rays). The scientific objectives of the mission are shortly presented. We describe the three instrumental packages and the profile of the mission which accommodates them. With a launch around 2012 2013, the SMESE microsatellite mission will provide a unique tool for detecting and understanding eruptions (flares and coronal mass ejections). Observations should start around solar maximum, and continue in the declining phase of activity, at a time when the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) should still be operating. Title: Flare magnetic reconnection and relativistic particles in the 2003 October 28 event Authors: Li, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Dai, Y.; Fang, C.; Vial, J. -C. Bibcode: 2007A&A...472..283L Altcode: 2007arXiv0706.3648L An X17.2 solar flare occurred on 2003 October 28, accompanied by multi-wavelength emissions and a high flux of relativistic particles observed at 1 AU. We present the analytic results of the TRACE, SOHO, RHESSI, ACE, GOES, hard X-ray (INTEGRAL satellite), radio (Ondeřejov radio telescope), and neutron monitor data. It is found that the inferred magnetic reconnection electric field correlates well with the hard X-ray, gamma-ray, and neutron emission at the Sun. Thus the flare's magnetic reconnection probably makes a crucial contribution to the prompt relativistic particles, which could be detected at 1 AU. Since the neutrons were emitted a few minutes before the injection of protons and electrons, we propose a magnetic-field evolution configuration to explain this delay. We do not exclude the effect of CME-driven shock, which probably plays an important role in the delayed gradual phase of solar energetic particles. Title: Reconstructing Spherical Nonlinear Force-free Field in the Solar Corona Authors: Song, M. T.; Fang, C.; Zhang, H. Q.; Tang, Y. H.; Wu, S. T.; Zhang, Y. A. Bibcode: 2007ApJ...666..491S Altcode: We present a spherical nonlinear force-free field (NFFF) reconstructing method based on the photospheric vector magnetograms. The importance of this method is its ability to reveal the NFFF configurations, which is necessary for understanding the physical mechanisms of the initiation of the large-scale solar eruptions, such as coronal mass ejections and sympathetic flares. Using smooth continuous functions, the basic NFFF-governing partial differential equations in spherical coordinates reduce to a set of tractable ordinary differential equations. The numerical scheme used in this paper is similar to the recent local nonlinear force-free one developed by Song and coworkers. To illustrate this method, we give two test examples. One is to compute a well-known NFFF analytical solution given by Low & Lou. The other is for two active regions NOAA 10486 and NOAA 10488 observed on 2003 October 29. The results show that the transequatorial magnetic loops are revealed and coincided with some EUV Imaging Telescope loops. Title: Statistical study on filament eruption caused by emerging flux Authors: Xu, X. Y.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2007AcASn..48..181X Altcode: Observations indicated that solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are strongly associated with reconnection-favored flux emergence. As suggested by observations, two types of emerging flux with reconnection-favored direction can trigger filament eruptions (and then CMEs): one is within the filament channel, and the other is on the outer edge of the channel. Based on numerical simulations, a physical model of the emerging flux trigger mechanism for CMEs is proposed, which explained well the observational phenomena. Using 2.5 dimensional numerical simulations with the gravity and heat conduction being omitted, the eruption and non-eruption regimes are presented in parameter space, which indicate that whether a CME can be triggered depends on both the amount and the location of an emerging flux, besides its polarity orientation. Furthermore, by analyzing15 eruption events in 2002 and 2003 and 44 non-eruption events in 2002, the relation between filament eruptions (and CMEs) and the properties of emerging flux including its polarity orientation, its location, and the amount of the unsigned flux is studied statistically. The results show that not all the emerging flux can make a filament lose equilibrium and then trigger the onset of a CME. The statistic results basically support the theoretical numerical simulations, in which the 2.5 dimensional time dependent compressible resistive MHD equations are numerically solved with a multi-step implicit scheme. This research provides useful information for the space weather forecast. Title: Sunspot Chromospheric Heating by Kinetic Alfvén Waves Authors: Wu, D. J.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2007ApJ...659L.181W Altcode: Sunspot atmospheric models show that sunspots have a higher temperature than the surrounding quiet Sun in the upper chromosphere, although they are dark in the photosphere. This Letter presents a comparison between acoustic wave heating and kinetic Alfvén wave (KAW) heating in sunspots from the photosphere through the chromosphere based on a semiempirical model calculated by non-LTE procedure. The result suggests that acoustic wave heating is still a possible dominating mechanism in the photosphere and in the lower chromosphere below 850 km, similar to previous works. But in the upper chromosphere above 850 km, KAW heating is a more promising candidate that dominates sunspot chromospheric heating. We speculate that this probably relates to the ionization exceeding one in a thousand in the upper chromosphere, so that the plasma processes such as KAW dissipation play an important role in the atmospheric dynamics. Title: SMESE: A SMall Explorer for Solar Eruptions Authors: Vial, J. -C.; Auchère, F.; Chang, J.; Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q.; Klein, K. -L.; Prado, J. -Y.; Trottet, G.; Wang, C.; Yan, Y. H. Bibcode: 2007AdSpR..40.1787V Altcode: The SMall Explorer for Solar Eruptions (SMESE) mission is a microsatellite proposed by France and China. The payload of SMESE consists of three packages: LYOT (a Lyman α imager and a Lyman α coronagraph), DESIR (an Infra-Red Telescope working at 35-80 and 100-250 μm), and HEBS (a High-Energy Burst Spectrometer working in X- and γ-rays). The status of research on flares and coronal mass ejections is briefly reviewed in the context of on-going missions such as SOHO, TRACE and RHESSI. The scientific objectives and the profile of the mission are described. With a launch around 2012-2013, SMESE will provide a unique tool for detecting and understanding eruptions (flares and coronal mass ejections) close to the maximum phase of activity. Title: Spectral analysis of a two-ribbon microflare Authors: Xia, C.; Fang, C.; Chen, Q. R.; Tang, Y. H. Bibcode: 2007AdSpR..39.1402X Altcode: Using high-resolution Hα, CaII 8542 Å and FeI 6302.5 Å Stokes spectral data obtained simultaneously with THEMIS in 2002 September, we have analyzed the spectra and the characteristics of a two-ribbon microflare (MF). The hard X-ray emission provides evidence of non-thermal particle acceleration in the microflare. The two-ribbons are located on either sides of the magnetic polarity inversion line. The non-thermal characteristics mainly appeared at the outer edges of the flare ribbons. It indicates that the instantaneous magnetic reconnection and the particle acceleration mainly took place at the outer edges of the flare ribbons. Using the Hα and CaII 8542 Å line profiles and the non-LTE calculation, we obtain the semi-empirical atmospheric model for the bright kernel of the MF. The result indicates that the temperature enhancement in the chromosphere is about 2000-2500 K. Title: The acceleration characteristics of solar energetic particles in the 2000 July 14 event Authors: Li, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Dai, Y.; Zong, W. G.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2007A&A...461.1115L Altcode: 2006astro.ph..9682L Aims:In large gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events, especially the ground-level enhancement (GLE) events, where and how energetic particles are accelerated is still a problem.
Methods: By using imaging data from TRACE, Yohkoh/HXT, SOHO/MDI and SOHO/EIT, along with the data from the GOES, Apatity NM, and SOHO/LASCO CME catalog, the evolution of the X5.7 two-ribbon flare and the associated SEP event on 14 July 2000 are studied.
Results: It is found that the magnetic reconnection in this event consists of two parts, and the induced electric field E_rec is temporally correlated with the evolution of hard X-ray and γ-ray emission. In particular, the first hard X-ray and γ-ray emission peak occurred at 10:22 UT, corresponding to the magnetic reconnection in the western part of the flare ribbons and the maximum E_rec of ~9.5 V/cm; the second emission peak at 10:27 UT, corresponding to the eastern part and the maximum E_rec of ~13.0 V/cm. We also analyze the SEP injection profiles as functions of time and CME-height, and find two-component injection which may result from different acceleration mechanisms.
Conclusions: .A reasonable conclusion is that reconnection electric field makes a crucial contribution to the acceleration of relativistic particles and the impulsive component of the large gradual SEP event, while CME-driven shocks play a dominant role in the gradual component. Title: Evolution of electron energy spectrum during solar flares Authors: Liu, W. J.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2007AdSpR..39.1394L Altcode: Particle acceleration by direct current electric field in the current sheet has been extensively studied, in which an electric and a magnetic field are generally prescribed, and a power law distribution of the electron energy is obtained. Based on MHD numerical simulations of flares, this paper aims at investigating the time evolution of the electron energy spectrum during solar flares. It turns out that the model reproduces the soft-hard-hard spectral feature which was observed in some flares. Title: Magnetic reconnection configurations and particle acceleration in solar flares Authors: Chen, P. F.; Liu, W. J.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2007AdSpR..39.1421C Altcode: Numerical simulations of two types of flares indicate that magnetic reconnection can provide environments favorable for various particle acceleration mechanisms to work. This paper reviews recent test particle simulations of DC electric field mechanism, and discusses how the flare particles can escape into the interplanetary space under different magnetic configurations. Title: A New and Fast Way to Reconstruct a Nonlinear Force-free Field in the Solar Corona Authors: Song, M. T.; Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Wu, S. T.; Zhang, Y. A. Bibcode: 2006ApJ...649.1084S Altcode: We reexamine the method of upward integration of a nonlinear force-free field (NFFF), which is, as is well known, an ill-posed problem. It can be modified to a well-posed one by the following means: instead of using finite difference to express partial derivatives, we use smooth continuous functions to approach magnetic field values, write down three field components consisting of amplitude functions multiplying morphology functions, and reduce four basic NFFF equations to ordinary differential ones. They are then solved in an asymptotic manner (zeroth-order, first-order, etc.). Considering the physical meaning of α, we found a self-consistent compatibility condition for the boundary values. Furthermore, a computation algorithm is proposed, similar to the usual time-dependent two-dimensional MHD simulation scheme. This algorithm is steady and robust against the noise in the magnetic field (in particular, the transverse field) measurement and is able to deal with concentrated photospheric currents. The algorithm runs very fast on an ordinary PC and lasts only 6 minutes for the 80×60 (x×y) mesh up to a height of 80 (= 216,000 km~0.3 Rsolar). So it provides a powerful tool for solar scientists to analyze the magnetic field properties of solar active regions and to make predictions of solar activity. Title: First Results of Mg I (3p 1P1-4d 1D2) Line Linear Impact Polarization during the Solar Flare on 2001 June 15 Authors: Xu, Z.; Henoux, J. C.; Chambe, G.; Petrashen, A. G.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2006ApJ...650.1193X Altcode: The results of the analysis of the first spectropolarimetric observations of the 3p 1P1-4d 1D2 Mg I line at 5528.4 Å made during a solar flare are presented in this paper. The line is found to be polarized with a polarization degree at the line center that reaches up to 3% and a direction of polarization nearly parallel to the local transverse magnetic field. After eliminating scattering, the Zeeman effect, and the intensity gradient as possible origins of the observed polarization, this polarization is interpreted as due either to a low-energy proton beam or to the return current associated with electron beams. Title: On the CME velocity distribution Authors: Chen, A. Q.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2006A&A...456.1153C Altcode: Context: .Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are often categorized into flare-associated and filament-associated types, which logically is incomplete since there are many CMEs of the intermediate type.
Aims: .With this new classification, this paper aims to reexamine whether flare-associated CMEs and filament eruption-associated CMEs have distinct velocity distributions and to investigate which factors may affect the CME velocities.
Methods: .We divide the CME events observed from 2001-2003 into three types, i.e., the flare-associated type, the filament eruption-associated type, and the intermediate type. The magnetic environments of the source regions, e.g., the polarity orientation, the chirality of the filaments, etc., are examined.
Results: .Our results indicate that the P-value of the likelihood between the flare-associated and the filament eruption-associated CMEs is as high as 0.79, which strongly suggests that they are a continuum of events rather than two distinct types. For the filament eruption-associated CMEs, the speeds are found to be strongly correlated with the average magnetic field in the filament channel. It is also found that there is a slight tendency for the filaments with the minority chirality to have weaker magnetic fields, and hence the corresponding CMEs have smaller eruption speeds. A slight tendency is also found for the CMEs associated with non-active region filaments to have higher eruption speeds than those with active region filaments. However, the polarity orientation of the filament channel has little effect on the eruption speed.
Title: A Fast Extrapolation Method for Reconstructing the Coronal Nonlinear Force-free Field Authors: Song, M. T.; Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Wu, S. T.; Zhang, Y. A. Bibcode: 2006IAUJD...3E..51S Altcode: Introduction: We propose an improved method of upward integration to reconstruct the nonlinear force-free field (NFFF) in the solar corona. Method: The method of upward integration can be modified to a well-posed one by the following ways: instead of using finite difference to express partial derivatives, we use smooth continuous functions to approach magnetic field. Three field components are expressed by amplitude functions multiplying morphology functions, and the four basic NFFF equations can be reduced to ordinary differential ones. They are then solved in an asymptotic manner. Considering the physical meaning of alpha, we found a self-consistent compatibility condition for the boundary values. Furthermore, we propose a computation algorithm, similar to the usual time-dependent 2D-MHD simulation scheme. Result: This algorithm is steady and not sensitive to the noise in the magnetic field (in particular the transverse field) measurement, and is able to deal with concentrated photospheric currents. Our code runs very fast in an usual PC-computer and lasts only 6 minutes for the mesh 80 × 60 (x : y) up to a height of 80 ( 216000 km). Discussion: Our new method provides a powerful tool to analyze the magnetic field property of solar active regions, and is useful for the prediction of solar activities. Title: Spectral Analysis of Ellerman Bombs Authors: Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Xu, Z.; Ding, M. D.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2006ApJ...643.1325F Altcode: By use of the high-resolution spectral data obtained with THEMIS on 2002 September 5, the characteristics of 14 well-observed Ellerman bombs (EBs) have been analyzed. Our results indicate that 9 of the 14 EBs are located near the longitudinal magnetic polarity inversion lines. Most of the EBs are accompanied by mass motions. The most obvious characteristic of the EB spectra is the two emission bumps at the two wings of both Hα and Ca II λ8542. For the first time both thermal and nonthermal semiempirical atmospheric models for the conspicuous and faint EBs are computed. In computing the nonthermal models, we assume that the electron beam resulting from magnetic reconnection is produced in the lower chromosphere. The reasons are that it requires much lower energies for the injected particles and that it gives rise to a more profound absorption at the Hα line center, in agreement with our observations. The common characteristic is the heating in the lower chromosphere and the upper photosphere. The temperature enhancement is about 600-1300 K in the thermal models. If the nonthermal effects are included, then the required temperature increase can be reduced by 100-300 K. These imply that the EBs could probably be produced by the magnetic reconnection in the solar lower atmosphere. The radiative and kinetic energies of the EBs are estimated, and the total energy is found to be 1026 to 5×1027 ergs. According to the characteristics of EBs, we tentatively suggest that EBs could be called ``submicroflares.'' Title: Two candidate homologous CMEs on 2002 May 22 Authors: Cheng, J. X.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2006AdSpR..38..470C Altcode: Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occurred on 2002 May 22, originating from the same active region, AR 9948. Multi-wavelength data are collected in order to clarify the relationship between the CMEs, the associated flares and filament eruptions, and some other magnetic activities, which is of great importance to understand the mechanism of each phenomenon. It is tentatively suggested that the two CMEs are probably homologous. Title: A brief introduction to SMESE mission Authors: Wang, C.; Fang, C.; Gan, W.; Prado, J. -Y.; Trottet, G.; Vial, J. -C.; Yan, Y.; Auchere, F.; Chang, J.; Molodi, G. Bibcode: 2006ilws.conf..211W Altcode: Small Exploration for Solar Eruptions (SMESE) is a joint mission between France and China to investigate the two main types of eruption events on the Sun: Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) and solar flares, and their relationship. SMESE will provide a set of unprecedented and complementary measurements including Ly-alpha imager, Ly-alpha coronagraph, EUV imager, Detection of Solar Infra red radiation, Hard X-ray/gamma ray spectrometry. SMESE aims to study, among others, the CME triggering mechanism and its acceleration in the corona, the particle acceleration by CME and solar flare, the physical association of the CME and solar flare etc. SMESE will be launched in the next solar maximum between 2010-2012. Title: Why are there stationary EIT wave fronts Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Shibata, K. Bibcode: 2006AdSpR..38..456C Altcode: EIT waves are often observed to be propagating EUV enhancements followed by an expanding dimming region after the launch of CMEs. It was widely assumed that they are the coronal counterparts of the chromospheric Moreton waves, though the former are three or more times slower. The existence of a stationary “EIT wave” front in some events, however, posed a big challenge to the wave explanation. Simulations are performed to reproduce the stationary “EIT wave” front, which is exactly located near the footpoint of the magnetic separatrix, consistent with observations. The formation of the stationary front is explained in the framework of our model where “EIT waves” are supposed to be generated by successive opening of the field lines covering the erupting flux rope in CMEs. Title: Relation between the CME Velocity and the Magnetic Field Authors: Chen, A. Q.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36..426C Altcode: 2006cosp.meet..426C The velocities of Coronal mass ejections CMEs range from tens to more than 2000 km s Earlier researches tended to fit them into a bimodal distribution with the fast ones corresponding to flares and the slow ones to filament eruptions However recent observations do not favor such a classification and tend to imply that magnetic reconnection plays an important role in the eruption of CMEs According to the reconnection model the velocity of the ejecta is proportional to the magnetic field strength in the inflow region We present a statistical analysis of CME speeds with relation to the magnetic parameters It is found that the CME velocity correlation with the average magnetic field is significantly higher than with the total magnetic flux in the source region It is also seen that filaments with the minority chirality tend to erupt as slow CMEs Title: SMESE, a SMall Explorer for the Study of solar Eruptions Authors: Vial, J. -C.; Auchère, F.; Chang, J.; Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q.; Molodij, G.; Prado, J. -Y.; Trottet, G.; Wang, C.; Yan, Y. H. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36.3287V Altcode: 2006cosp.meet.3287V The SMESE Small Explorer for the Study of solar Eruptions mission is a microsatellite proposed by France and China The payload of SMESE consists of three packages LYOT a suite of two UV and EUV imagers and a Lyman alpha coronagraph DESIR an Infra-Red Telescope working at 35 and 150 mu and HEBS a High Energy Burst Spectrometer working in X- and gamma -rays The status of research on Coronal Mass Ejections and flares will be briefly recalled in the context of on-going missions such as SOHO TRACE and RHESSI The scientific objectives and the profile of the mission will be described With a launch around 2011 SMESE will provide a unique tool for detecting and understanding eruptions flares and coronal mass ejections in the maximum phase of activity when the Solar Dynamics Observatory SDO should still be operating Title: Bright points in UV continuum in a M9.1 flare Authors: Wang, L.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36.1547W Altcode: 2006cosp.meet.1547W Using the data of RHESSI SOHO MDI SOHO EIT and TRACE white light and 1700 AA images we analyze a gradual two-ribbon M9 1 solar flare occurred on 2004 July 22 We find some bright points appeared in white light and 1700 AA images alone the flare ribbons with the lifetime of several minutes Some of them have rapid movement in weak magnetic field regions with sharp contrast and small area We identify these short-lived brightenings as mainly at the least UV continuum enhancement Our primary result shows that the brightenings do not appear in the HXR main sources These new phenomena may provide a new challenge for the classical flare scenario Title: SMESE: a Small Explorer for the Study of Solar Eruptions Authors: Vial, J. -C.; Auchère, F.; Chang, J.; Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q.; Molodij, G.; Prado, J. -Y.; Trottet, G.; Wang, C.; Yan, Y. H. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36.3294V Altcode: 2006cosp.meet.3294V The SMESE Small Explorer for the Study of solar Eruptions mission is a microsatellite proposed by France and China The payload of SMESE consists of three packages LYOT a suite of two UV and EUV imagers and a Lyman alpha coronagraph DESIR an Infra-Red Telescope working at 35 and 150 mu and HEBS a High Energy Burst Spectrometer working in X- and gamma -rays The status of research on Coronal Mass Ejections will be briefly recalled in the context of on-going missions such as SOHO TRACE and RHESSI The scientific objectives and the profile of the mission will be described With a launch around 2011 SMESE will provide a unique tool for detecting and understanding eruptions flares and coronal mass ejections in the maximum phase of activity and for the determination of the morphology of the low corona from where the solar wind originates Title: Multiwavelength analysis of the impact polarization of 2001 June 15 solar flare Authors: Xu, Z.; Henoux, J. C.; Chambe, G.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36...49X Altcode: 2006cosp.meet...49X The linear polarization of H alpha H beta and MgI lines have been found during the rise phase of soft X-ray emission of an M6 3 flare on June 15th 2001 observed by THEMIS telescopes in the multi-wavelength spectropolarimetric mode Here the linear polarization signals of MgI line 5528 A are reported for the first time The polarization of these three lines has a good spatial correspondence and is located at the edges of flare kernels The maximum polarization degree of H alpha and H beta lines can reach 4 - 6 at the line center and near line wings For MgI line the polarization degree can exceed 3 5 concentrating in the line center Polarization directions are not random but either parallel or perpendicular to the local transverse magnetic field in a large degree The origin of the observed short-time polarization is discussed here with respect to the bombardment on the solar atmosphere by low-energy protons or high-energy electrons associated with return current Title: Statistical study of filament eruptions with emerging flux Authors: Xu, X. Y.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36.1148X Altcode: 2006cosp.meet.1148X Observations indicate that solar coronal mass ejections CMEs are closely associated with reconnection-favored flux emergence which was explained in the emerging flux trigger mechanism for CMEs by Chen Shibata 2000 Using numerical simulations we made a parametric survey of the triggering factors the polarity orientation and the position of the emerging flux and the amount of the unsigned flux Xu Chen Fang 2005 A diagram is presented to show the eruption and non-eruption regimes in the parameter space In this paper a statistical study on the filament eruptions related to emerging flux is performed and it basically supports the theoretical results of our numerical simulation Our results suggest that whether a CME can be triggered depends on both the amount and the location of an emerging flux in addition to its polarity orientation The work provides useful information for the space weather forecast Title: Magnetic reconnection and electron acceleration in the solar lower atmosphere Authors: Fang, C.; Xu, X. Y.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36..203F Altcode: 2006cosp.meet..203F Using high-resolution spectral data obtained with THEMIS on 2002 September 5 we have computed the semi-empirical atmospheric models of Ellerman bombs EBs and microflares MFs Our results indicate that for both of them there is a temperature bump up in the low-chromosphere Compared to the quiet-Sun atmosphere the temperature bump up of the bright MFs is about 2200K while that of the conspicuous EBs is about 1300K and locates deeper than that for MFs The temperature bump up can be produced by the magnetic reconnection in the solar lower atmosphere Assuming electrons being accelerated during the magnetic reconnection we computed the non-thermal semi-empirical atmospheric models of EBs and MFs which can well reproduce the observed H alpha and CaII 8542 AA lines The parameters and the energy deposit of the electron beams have been discussed Title: Ellerman Bombs: Sub-Microflares in the Solar Atmosphere Authors: Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Xu, Z.; Ding, M. D.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2006apri.meet...32F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Magnetic reconnection configurations and particle accelerations on the Sun Authors: Chen, P. F.; Liu, W. J.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36.3345C Altcode: 2006cosp.meet.3345C The electric field near the small-scale reconnection site has been suggested to be a plausible mechanism for the nonthermal particles that produce type III radio bursts and hard X-ray emissions in the corona and chromosphere It has been demonstrated that the magnetic configuration near the reconnection site plays an important role in determining the final energy spectrum of the particles In this paper we first review different reconnection configurations in the Sun which are associated with various eruptive phenomena such as two-ribbon flares emerging flux coronal loop-loop interactions and so on We then perform test particle simulations with these magnetic configurations in order to investigate their effect on the energy spectrum of the accelerated particles Their application to observations is discussed Title: Investigation of Electron Energy Spectrum During Solar Flares Authors: Liu, W. J.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2006cosp...36.2650L Altcode: 2006cosp.meet.2650L Observations indicated that the energy spectrum of non-thermal particles during the evolution of solar flares changes rapidly with the power index alternating from soft to hard and soft again Based on MHD numerical simulation of a flare with the typical prephase impulsive and decay phases we perform the test-particle simulations in order to investigate the time evolution of the electron spectrum The results are compared with observations in detail Title: Synthesis of CME-Associated Moreton and EIT Wave Features from MHD Simulations Authors: Chen, P. F.; Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2005SSRv..121..201C Altcode: Soft X-ray (SXR) waves, EIT waves, and Hα Moreton waves are all associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The knowledge of the characteristics about these waves is crucial for the understanding of CMEs, and hence for the space weather researches. MHD numerical simulation is performed, with the consideration of the quiet Sun atmosphere, to investigate the CME/flare processes. On the basis of the numerical results, SXR, EUV, and Hα images of the eruption are synthesized, where SXR waves, EIT waves, and Hα Moreton waves are identified. It confirms that the EIT waves, which border the expanding dimmming region, are produced by the successive opening (or stretching) of the closed magnetic field lines. Hα Moreton waves are found to propagate outward synchronously with the SXR waves, lagging behind the latter spatially by ∼27 Mm in the simulated scenario. However, the EIT wave velocity is only a third of the Moreton wave velocity. The synthesized results also suggest that Hα± 0.45Å would be the best off-band for the detection of Hα Moreton waves. Title: Multiwavelength Analysis of the Impact Polarization of 2001 June 15 Solar Flare Authors: Xu, Z.; Hénoux, J. -C.; Chambe, G.; Karlický, M.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2005ApJ...631..618X Altcode: We report here on the temporal and spatial evolution of the impact polarization of the Hα and Hβ lines during an M6.3 solar flare observed on 2001 June 15 with the THEMIS telescope in the multiwavelength spectropolarimetric mode. Typical spectral intensity and polarization profiles are presented. Both lines are linearly polarized. The Hαline degree of polarization exceeds 4% at line center and in the near line wings. The Hβ line is also linearly polarized, with a degree of polarization reaching 6%. The directions of polarization are either parallel or perpendicular to the local transverse magnetic field (i.e., either radial or tangential because the transverse magnetic field is directed almost in the flare-to-disk center direction). However, contrary to Hα, the Hβ polarization direction is radial only. The Hα and Hβ polarization islands are located at the edges of flare kernels. Only for radial polarization are these islands cospatial. No Hβ polarization is found at the places where tangential Hα polarization is present. The origin of the observed polarization is discussed. Bombardment by low-energy protons or high-energy electrons associated with return currents can explain the radial polarization observed in the lowest flare kernel. The tangential Hα polarization observed in the surge near the upper flare location is interpreted as due to the electric current at the origin of the electromagnetic force that lifts the surge. Title: A Full View of EIT Waves Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Shibata, K. Bibcode: 2005ApJ...622.1202C Altcode: Early observations by the EUV Imaging Telescope (EIT) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory indicated that propagating diffuse wave fronts, now conventionally referred to as ``EIT waves,'' can often be seen on the solar disk with a propagation velocity several times smaller than that of Hα Moreton waves. They are almost always associated with coronal mass ejections. We have previously confirmed the existence of such a wave phenomenon with numerical simulations, which indicate that there does exist a slower moving ``wave'' much behind the coronal counterpart of the Hα Moreton wave. Further observations have disclosed many new features of the EIT waves: the waves stop near the separatrix between active regions, sometimes they experience acceleration from the active region to the quiet region, and so on. Here we report on MHD simulations performed to demonstrate how the typical features of EIT waves can all be accounted for within our theoretical model, in which the EIT waves are thought to be formed by successive stretching or opening of closed field lines driven by an erupting flux rope. The relationship between EIT waves, Hα Moreton waves, and type II radio bursts is discussed, with an emphasis on reconciling the discrepancies among different views of the ``EIT wave'' phenomenon. Title: On the formation of the He I 10 830 Å line in a flaring atmosphere Authors: Ding, M. D.; Li, H.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2005A&A...432..699D Altcode: We explore the formation of the He i 10 830 Å line in a flaring atmosphere, with special attention to the nonthermal effects of an electron beam. Using non-LTE calculations we obtain the line profiles from different model atmospheres. Without the nonthermal effects, the line changes from weak absorption in a cool atmosphere to emission in a hot and condensed atmosphere, as expected. However, the presence of an electron beam can significantly change the line strength, producing much stronger absorption and emission in these two cases. We find that in the nonthermal case, the collisional ionization of He i followed by recombinations becomes an important process in populating the triplet levels corresponding to the He i 10 830 Å line. These results suggest that the He i 10 830 Å line is also a potential diagnostic tool for nonthermal effects in solar or stellar flares. Title: Parametric Survey of Emerging Flux for Triggering CMEs Authors: Xu, X. Y.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2005IAUS..226..217X Altcode: Observations suggest that solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are closely associated with reconnection-favored flux emergence, which was explained as the emerging flux trigger mechanism for CMEs by Chen and Shibata (2000) based on numerical simulations. This paper presents a parametric survey of the CME-triggering environment. Our numerical results show that whether the CMEs can be triggered depends on both the amount and the location of the emerging flux. The results are useful for space weather forecast. Title: EIT waves -- A signature of global magnetic restructuring in CMEs Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2005IAUS..226...55C Altcode: The discovery of "EIT waves" after the launch of SOHO spacecraft sparked wide interest among the coronal mass ejection (CME) community since they may be crucial to the understanding of CMEs. However, the nature of this phenomenon is still being hotly debated between fast-mode wave explanation and non-wave explanation. Accumulating observations have shown various features of the "EIT waves". For example, they tend to be devoid of magnetic neutral lines and coronal holes; they may stop near the magnetic separatrix between the source region and a nearby active region; they may experience an acceleration from the vicinity of the source active region to the quiet region, and so on. This paper is aimed to review all these features, discuss how these observations may provide constraints for the theoretical models, and point out their implication to the understanding of CMEs. Title: Information on particle acceleration and transport derived from solar flare spectropolarimetry Authors: Xu, Z.; Hénoux, J. -C.; Chambe, G.; Karlický, M.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2005AdSpR..35.1841X Altcode: The hydrogen H α line has been found to be linearly polarized at some locations and times during a June 15th 2001 flare observed with THEMIS. This flare was accompanied by radio pulses and hard X-ray emission. Linear polarization is below the noise level in the flare kernels. However, it is present at the edges of these kernels, in the line center and near wings where the polarization degree exceeds 4%. The directions of polarization are not random but close within ±15° to the tangential and radial directions. This polarization can be due either to electron beams and their associated return currents or to electron and proton beams. Title: A CME and Related Phenomena on 2003 October 26 Authors: Ning, Zongjun; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Yeh, C. -T.; Li, H.; Xu, Y. N.; Zhang, Y.; Tan, C. M. Bibcode: 2005IAUS..226..123N Altcode: We present the observational results of the solar bursts on the band of 1-80 GHz (NORH) associated with both a CME and a flare on Oct. 26 2003. This event shows two parts of radio bursts in the time profile. The first part is associated with an X1.2 flare. However, the following part seams related to both the flare and the CME, as the radio emission is enhanced while the H α is decreasing. Thus, these two parts of radio bursts may originate from different physical processes, i.e., flare and CME shock. A primary study is performed on the difference between this two parts. Title: Observations of an active region filament Authors: Zong, W. G.; Tang, Y. H.; Fang, C.; Xu, A. A. Bibcode: 2005AdSpR..35.1752Z Altcode: An active region filament was well observed on September 4, 2002 with THEMIS at the Teide observatory and SOHO/MDI. The full Stokes parameters of the filament were obtained in Hα and FeI 6302 Å lines. Using the data, we have studied the fine structure of the filament and obtained the parameters at the barb endpoints, including intensity, velocity and longitudinal magnetic field. Our results indicate: (a) the Doppler velocities are quiet different at barb endpoints; (b) the longitudinal magnetic fields at the barb endpoints are very weak; (c) there is a strong magnetic field structure under the filament spine. Title: Spectropolarimetric diagnostics of non-thermal particles in the solar chromosphere Authors: Xu, Z.; Fang, C.; Henoux, J. -C. Bibcode: 2004cosp...35..278X Altcode: 2004cosp.meet..278X Linear impact polarization of chromospheric lines has already been observed in the impulsive phase of solar flares, which can be interpreted as the results of the bombardment of an anisotropic non-thermal particle beam in the atmosphere. Using the spectropolarimetric observations of THEMIS, we have measured the degrees and the directions of the polarization from Hα and CaII 8542 Stokes line profiles of Ellerman Bombs, bright points and faint flares, which occur mainly in the solar lower atmosphere. We attempt to explore the main characters of the non-thermal energetic particles from its effect on the impact linear polarization of the chromospheric lines. The existence of this polarization due to non-thermal particles can provide the evidence of reconnection in the solar lower atmosphere. Title: Why are there stationary EIT wave fronts? Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Shibata, K. Bibcode: 2004cosp...35..276C Altcode: 2004cosp.meet..276C EIT waves are nearly circularly propagating emission enhancements followed by expanding dimming regions, which have been found to be closely related with coronal mass ejections. They are generally believed to correspond to some kind of wave phenomenon. We have explained the EIT waves as the propagating structures associated with the gradual opening of coronal mass ejections. However, occasionally a stationary front can be observed for several hours, which prompted the doubt about whether the so-called "EIT waves" are pseudo-phenomena. Through numerical simulations, this paper illustrates how a propagating EIT wave stops to form the stationary front when it meets another active region or a coronal hole. Title: Two-dimensional spectroscopy of a white-light flare and its relationship with high-energy electrons Authors: Ding, M. D.; Chen, Q. R.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2004cosp...35.2414D Altcode: 2004cosp.meet.2414D We perform a multi-wavelength study of a white-light flare of September 29, 2002 that was simultaneously observed by a ground-based imaging spectrograph and by the RHESSI. It is found that the enhanced continuum emission corresponds both spatially and temporally with the hard X-ray emission. There is a slight time delay between the peak of the continuum emission and that of the hard X-ray emission, which can be explained by the backwarming scenario, in which the chromosphere is directly heated by a beam of high-energy electrons and the photosphere is then heated through an enhanced radiation. We further deduce the electron flux from the hard X-ray spectra. The relationship between the electron flux and the continuum contrast is quantitatively compatible with the theoretical prediction. Title: Two homologous CMEs on 2002 May 22 Authors: Chen, J. X.; Fang, C.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 2004cosp...35..233C Altcode: 2004cosp.meet..233C Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occurred on 2002 May 22, originating from the same active region, AR 9948. Multi-wavelength data, including LASCO, EIT, MDI/SOHO, GOES and Hαimages from National Observatory of China, have been collected in order to clarify the relation between the CMEs, the associated flares and filament eruptions, and some other magnetic activities, which is of great importance to understand the mechanism of each phenomenon. It is proposed that an emerging flux may trigger the occurrence of the first CME, which in turn drives the eruption of the second CME, i.e., the two homologous CMEs are sympathetic. It is also confirmed that the speeds of CMEs are not positively correlated with the soft X-ray peak flux of the associated flares. The timing of these phenomena is also given. Title: What have we learned on non-thermal particle acceleration and transport by optical spectropolarimetry Authors: Hénoux, J. -C.; Karlicky, M.; Xu, Z.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2004cosp...35..647H Altcode: 2004cosp.meet..647H Most of the information on non-thermal particles is derived from hard X-ray, gamma-ray or radio observations. Optical spectroscopic polarimetry provides complementary information on the particle nature and velocity distributions. Information is also provided on their propagation conditions at chromospheric level. We will report here on the information derived from measurements of the impact linear polarization made in the Halpha and Hbeta lines with the French-Italian solar telescope THEMIS. Title: Diagnostics of Non-thermal Particles in Solar Chromospheric Flares Authors: Fang, C.; Xu, Z.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2004IAUS..219..171F Altcode: 2003IAUS..219E..24F Particle beam bombardments on the solar chromosphere will produce non-thermal ionization and excitation. The effect on hydrogen lines has been extensively investigated by using non-LTE theory and semi-empirical flare models. It has been found that Halpha line is widely broadened and shows a strong central reversal. Significant enhancements at the wings of Lyalpha and Lybeta lines are also predicted. In the case of proton bombardment less strong broadening and no large central reversal are expected. We found that the coronal mass and the atmospheric condition give much influence on the line profiles. The line profiles are good tools for diagnosing the total flux of the particle beam but less sensitive to the power index. One can use these factors to diagnose the particle beam in the chromosphere. Title: The THMIS-MTR observation of a active region filament Authors: Zong, W. G.; Tang, Y. H.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2004cosp...35.1633Z Altcode: 2004cosp.meet.1633Z We present some THMIS-MTR observations of a active region filament on September 4, 2002. The full stokes parameters of the filament were obtained in Hα, CaII 8542 and FeI 6302. By use of the data with high spatial resolution(0.44" per pixel), we probed the fine structure of the filament and gave out the parameters at the barbs' endpoints, including intensity, velocity and longitudinal magnetic field. Comparing the quiescent filament which we have discussed before, we find that: 1)The velocities of the barbs' endpoints are much bigger in the active region filament, the values are more than one thousand meters per second. 2)The barbs' endpoints terminate at the low logitudinal magnetic field in the active region filament, too. Title: Spectro-polarimetric observation of the fine structure of a quiescent filament Authors: Zong, W. G.; Tang, Y. H.; Fang, C.; Mein, P.; Mein, N.; Xu, A. A. Bibcode: 2003A&A...412..267Z Altcode: This paper presents the spectro-polarimetric measurements of a big quiescent filament observed by the MSDP mode of the THEMIS on August 24, 2000. The Hα , CaII 8542 and NaI D2 line profiles of a segment of the filament were obtained. By use of the Hα images with high spatial resolution, the two barb endpoints were identified. The parameters at the barbs' endpoints, including intensity, velocity and longitudinal magnetic field were measured. Using the data with high spatial resolution (0.16'' per pixel), we have found the following results. 1) There was mass motion at the barb endpoints in the chromosphere, the values and the directions of the mass motion at the barb endpoints change in several minutes. 2) The two barb endpoints are located between the majority polarities and the minority polarities. Title: Coronal Plume Heating and Kinetic Dissipation of Kinetic Alfvén Waves Authors: Wu, D. J.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2003ApJ...596..656W Altcode: Coronal plumes are steady-state (for periods of at least 24 hr) bright rays that extend nearly radially from the photosphere to approximately 12 Rsolar in coronal holes and are believed to be denser than the surrounding media. In a low-β plasma such as coronal holes, kinetic dissipation of Alfvén waves due to the wave-particle resonant interaction can directly lead to electron heating. On the basis of an empirical model of coronal plumes, we investigate the kinetic dissipation of Alfvén waves in a plume embedded in the coronal hole. The results show that in the main body of the dense plume, which is embedded in a nearly uniformly magnetized coronal hole, the dissipation of the wave energy can provide an additional local electron heating that is enough to balance the extra radiative loss of the dense bright plume. Title: Hα Line Polarization in the Major Flare of 2002 July 23. I. Observations and Data Analysis Authors: Firstova, N. M.; Xu, Z.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2003ApJ...595L.131F Altcode: On 2002 July 23, a major 2B/X4.8-class flare was observed in Hα lines with the Large Solar Vacuum Telescope of the Baikal Astrophysical Observatory using the spectropolarimetric method. Linear polarization of 3%-10% has been detected in Hα lines of the flare, particularly in the Hα lines with a central reversal. They are mainly radial on the solar disk and appear at the impulsive phase of hard X-ray and γ-ray bursts. The polarization changes its direction in a spatially limited small region (~4"-5") and within a short period of time (~10 s). Moreover, the linear polarization is limited to only some relatively small regions of the flare. Title: Spectral Diagnostics of Non-Thermal Particles in the Solar Chromosphere Authors: FANG, C.; XU, Z.; DING, M. D. Bibcode: 2003JKAS...36S..55F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Magnetic Reconnection in the Solar Lower Atmosphere Authors: Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2003ASPC..289..425F Altcode: 2003aprm.conf..425F Accumulating observational evidence indicates that magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process in the solar lower atmosphere, which is responsible for many localized activities and the global maintenance of the hot dynamical corona. Meanwhile, qualitative theoretical considerations and quantitative numerical simulations demonstrate the applicability of the reconnection to a thin layer in the lower atmosphere. This paper reviews the research progress in the related observations, theories and numerical simulations. Title: Evidence of EIT and Moreton Waves in Numerical Simulations Authors: Chen, P. F.; Wu, S. T.; Shibata, K.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2002ApJ...572L..99C Altcode: Solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are associated with many dynamical phenomena, among which EIT waves have always been a puzzle. In this Letter MHD processes of CME-induced wave phenomena are numerically simulated. It is shown that as the flux rope rises, a piston-driven shock is formed along the envelope of the expanding CME, which sweeps the solar surface as it propagates. We propose that the legs of the shock produce Moreton waves. Simultaneously, a slower moving wavelike structure, with an enhanced plasma region ahead, is discerned, which we propose corresponds to the observed EIT waves. The mechanism for EIT waves is therefore suggested, and their relation with Moreton waves and radio bursts is discussed. Title: Projects of the 23rd solar cycle study in China Authors: Fang, C. Bibcode: 2002AdSpR..29.1561F Altcode: The main projects of the 23rd solar cycle study in China, including the main topics to be studied and the instrumentations, are briefly described. Several key projects in China are also presented. Title: Non-LTE Inversion of an Hα Flaring Loop Authors: Ding, M. D.; Liu, Y.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2002stma.conf...89D Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Cyclic variations in the solar lower atmosphere Authors: Fang, C.; Zhang, Y. X.; Ding, M. D.; Livingston, W. C. Bibcode: 2002AdSpR..29.1947F Altcode: The Ca II K line has been measured regularly nearly every month since 1974 at Kitt Peak. It is well known that the K 1 component of the Ca II K line is formed in the temperature minimum region (TMR) of the solar atmosphere. Our study of the data of CaII K profiles over two solar cycles indicates that both in full disc integrated spectra and in center disc spectra, the distance between the red K 1 and the blue K 1 of the profiles and its average intensity show periodic variations. But the variation for the full disc integrated spectra fluctuates in the same way as the sunspot number does, while that for the center disc spectra has a time delay with respect to sunspot number. Non-LTE computations yield a cyclic temperature variation of about 17 K of the TMR in the quiet-Sun atmosphere and a cyclic variation of about 15-20 km in the height position of the TMR. Title: The characteristics of microwave burst source and energy budget in disappering filament Authors: Tang, Y. H.; Schmieder, B.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2002AdSpR..29.1461T Altcode: On 7 May, 1992 a complex event with the disappearence of a filament and a two ribbon flare was well observed in Hα filtergrams, Yorkoh soft X-ray data, and radio data. This event is studied by using the flare-filament current model. The momentum equation and the energy equation of the filament current have been solved. By using the measured time variation of the filament height, the corresponding evolution of the current intensity and the total energy of the current filament were computed. The magnetic field strength and the energy flux of energetic electrons in the source region of microwave bursts have also been estimated by using the microwave spectrum. During the main phase, the mean magnetic strength and the energy flux of energetic electrons are about 300-400G and 1 × 10 11 erg cm -2s -1, respectively. By using these physical parameters, the energy budget has been made. These results show that the flare of 7 May, 1992 may be the result of reconnection of current sheet beneath the disappearing filament and the flare energy is provided by current filament. Title: Energetics of the 18 May 1994 brightening event Authors: Tang, Y. H.; Li, Y. N.; Fang, C.; Schmieder, B.; Aulanier, G.; Demoulin, P. Bibcode: 2002AdSpR..30..557T Altcode: By using YOHKOH soft X-ray images, vector magnetograms and Hα filtergrams, the energetics of the brightening event of May 18, 1994 has been studied. It occurred in a nearly potential magnetic configuration as shown by the comparison between the magnetic extrapolation(linear force free field) and the large scale soft X-ray loops. This event is related to the emergence of a new magnetic flux. The brightening points of Hα and soft X-ray are located at computed separatrices associated with field lines which are tangent to the photosphere. This brightening may be a signature of reconnection taking place between the pre-existing non-potential loops and the new emerging small loops. The magnetic energy provided by reconnection is likely to be stored in the non-potential loops and shearing emerging flux. A phenomenological model is offered. Title: A numerical study of flaring loop dynamics during magnetic reconnection Authors: Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Tang, Y. H.; Di, X. H. Bibcode: 2002AdSpR..29.1445F Altcode: 2.5-dimensional magnetic reconnection is numerically simulated for two cases, one with a high altitude of the reconnection point, the other with a low altitude. In the former case, bright loops appear to rise for a long time, with footpoints separating and the field lines below the bright loops shrinking. In the latter case, the bright loops cease to rise after a short period of reconnection and become rather stable. The results imply that the two types of solar flares, i.e., two-ribbon flares and compact flares, might be unified under a single magnetic reconnection model, where the height of the reconnection point leads to the bifurcation. Title: Coronal mass ejections and emerging flux Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Shibata, K.; Tang, Y. H. Bibcode: 2002AdSpR..30..535C Altcode: This paper reviews our recent progress in the numerical study of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) based on flux rope model, which shows that when the reconnection-favored emerging flux appears either within or on the outer edge of the filament channel, the flux rope would lose its equilibrium, and be ejected, while a current sheet is formed below the flux rope. For the case with emergence within the filament channel, even small flux is enough to trigger the loss of equilibrium, however, there is a threshold for the emerging flux on the outer edge of the filament channel. Given that anomalous resistivity sets in (e.g. when the current density exceeds a critical value), fast reconnection is resulted in, leading to fast eruption of the flux rope and localized flare (either impulsive-type or LDE-type depending on the height of the reconnection point) near the solar surface. The numerical results can well explain why CMEs are not centered on flares and provide hints for CME-flare spatial and temporal relationships. Title: Mechanism of coronal mass ejections triggered by emerging flux Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Shibata, K. Bibcode: 2002HiA....12..394C Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Magnetic Reconnection in the Solar Lower Atmosphere Authors: Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2002stma.conf....3F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Enhanced Emission at the Infrared Continuum in the Flare of 2001 March 10 Authors: Liu, Y.; Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2001ApJ...563L.169L Altcode: We have obtained a time series of two-dimensional spectra of Hα and Ca II λ8542 for a flare on 2001 March 10. This flare showed an enhanced emission at the continuum near the Ca II 8542 Å line. The continuum contrast is estimated to be 3%-5%. This emission lasted about half a minute, showing a good time correlation with the peak of the microwave radio flux at 7.58 GHz. The flare can be classified as a type I white-light flare. A preliminary analysis shows that a nonthermal electron beam cannot directly produce the continuum emission. Heating in the lower atmosphere resulting from the radiative backwarming may account for the continuum enhancement. Title: The role of non-thermal electrons in the hydrogen and calcium lines of stellar flares Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2001MNRAS.326..943D Altcode: 2001astro.ph..5097D There is observational evidence showing that stellar and solar flares occur with a similar circumstance, although the former are usually much more energetic. It is expected that the bombardment by high-energy electrons is one of the chief heating processes of the flaring atmosphere. In this paper we study how a precipitating electron beam can influence the line profiles of Lyα, Hα, Caii K and λ8542. We use a model atmosphere of a dMe star and make non-LTE computations taking into account the non-thermal collisional rates owing to the electron beam. The results show that the four lines can be enhanced to different extents. The relative enhancement increases with increasing formation height of the lines. Varying the energy flux of the electron beam has different effects on the four lines. The wings of Lyα and Hα become increasingly broad with the beam flux; change of the Caii K and λ8542 lines, however, is most significant in the line centre. Varying the electron energy (i.e. the low-energy cut-off for a power-law beam) has a great influence on the Lyα line, but little on the Hα and Caii lines. An electron beam of higher energy precipitates deeper, thus producing less enhancement of the Lyα line. The Lyα/Hα flux ratio is thus sensitive to the electron energy. Title: Quiet-Sun Variability In a Temperature Minimum Region Authors: Zhang, Y. X.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Livingston, W. C. Bibcode: 2001ApJ...547L.179Z Altcode: The results of monthly monitoring Ca II K line profiles at a quiet-Sun region near solar disk center at Kitt Peak during about two solar cycles since 1974 are presented to investigate the variations of K1 emission, which is strongly dependent on the temperature minimum region (TMR). Cyclic variations are found in K1 emission that are similar to those in the sunspot numbers. However, there is an evident time lag of about 1.2 yr between the K1 emission and the sunspot numbers. Non-LTE computations show that the corresponding temperature variation and position fluctuation in the quiet-Sun TMR region are estimated to be about 17 K and 1.7×10-2 g cm-2, respectively. Title: Cyclic Variation in the Solar Lower Atmosphere Authors: Fang, C.; Zahng, Y. X.; Ding, M. D.; Livingston, W. C. Bibcode: 2001IAUS..203..387F Altcode: CaII K line has been measured regularly nearly every month since 1974 at Kitt Peak. It is known that the K1 component of the CaII K line is formed in the temperature minimum region (TMR) of the solar atmosphere. Our study on the data of CaII K line profiles over nearly two solar cycles indicates that both in full disc integrated spectra and in disc-center spectra, the distance between red K1 and blue K1 and its mean intensity show periodical variations, but the former fluctuates in the same way as the sunspot number does, while the later has a time delay with respect to the sunspot number. Non-LTE computation indicates a cyclic temperature variation of about 15 K of the TMR in the quiet-Sun atmosphere and a cyclic variation of about 15-20 km of the position of the TMR. Title: The role of non-thermal electrons in the optical continuum of stellar flares Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2000MNRAS.317..867D Altcode: 2000astro.ph..5388D The continuum emission of stellar flares in UV and visible bands can be enhanced by two or even three orders of magnitude relative to the quiescent level and is usually characterized by a blue colour. It is difficult for thermal atmospheric models to reproduce all these spectral features. If the flaring process involves the acceleration of energetic electrons which then precipitate downwards to heat the lower atmosphere, collisional excitation and ionization of ambient hydrogen atoms by these non-thermal electrons could be important in powering the continuum emission. To explore such a possibility, we compute the continuum spectra from an atmospheric model for a dMe star, AD Leo, at its quiescent state, when considering the non-thermal effects by precipitating electron beams. The results show that if the electron beam has an energy flux large enough (for example, F1~1012ergcm-2s-1), the U-band brightening and, in particular, the U-B colour are roughly comparable with observed values for a typical large flare. Moreover, for electron beams with a moderate energy flux F1<~1011ergcm-2s-1, a decrease of the emission at the Paschen continuum appears. This can explain at least partly the continuum dimming observed in some stellar flares. Adopting an atmospheric model for the flaring state can further raise the continuum flux, but it yields a spectral colour incomparable with observations. This implies that the non-thermal effects may play the chief role in powering the continuum emission in some stellar flares. Title: Diagnostics of non-thermal processes in chromospheric flares --- IV. Limb flare spectra for an atmosphere bombarded by an electron beam Authors: Fang, C.; Hénoux, J. -C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2000A&A...360..702F Altcode: Hα, Lyα, Lyβ, CaII K and λ8542 Å line profiles have been computed for limb flares with height distributions of temperatures as given by the semi- empirical models F1 and F2, by including the non-thermal collisional excitation and ionization of hydrogen and of ionized calcium that results from electron bombardment. In agreement with observations, the computed profiles of the hydrogen lines are very broad, especially at the height where the source function reaches its maximum. Non-thermal effects are less pronounced for CaII lines. Title: Hα and Soft X-Ray Brightening Events Caused by Emerging Flux Authors: Tang, Y. H.; Li, Y. N.; Fang, C.; Aulanier, G.; Schmieder, B.; Demoulin, P.; Sakurai, T. Bibcode: 2000ApJ...534..482T Altcode: By using Yohkoh soft X-ray images, vector magnetograms, and Hα filtergrams, the brightening event that occurred on 1994 May 18 has been studied in detail. It occurred in a nearly potential large-scale magnetic configuration as shown by the comparison between the magnetic extrapolation (linear force-free field) and the large-scale soft X-ray loops. This event is related to the emergence of a new magnetic flux of about 3×1020 Mx. The impulsive enhancement of the emerging flux occurs about 20 minutes before the peaks of the Hα and soft X-ray brightening and lasts for about 10 minutes. This brightening may be a signature of reconnection taking place between the preexisting nonpotential loops and the new emerging small loops. The magnetic energy provided by reconnection is likely to be stored in the nonpotential loops and the emerging flux as implied by the vector magnetograms. By using the electron temperature and the electron density of the brightening event derived from the analysis of the Yohkoh data, an energy budget has been estimated. The result indicates that the energy needed can be reasonably provided by magnetic reconnection. Title: On the origin of solar white-light flares Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Hénoux, J. C.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 2000A&A...354..691G Altcode: Using the Hα line intensity as a constraint, we study the role of a chromospheric condensation and the role of non-thermal effects in producing the continuum enhancement of white-light flares. Within an acceptable range of Hα line intensities and electron energy flux, it is shown that neither a chromospheric condensation nor non-thermal effects alone can directly explain the observed continuum enhancement. The hybrid role of both chromospheric condensation and non-thermal effects can only lead to a Balmer jump, but still not to a significant continuum intensity increase between 4000 and 7000 Ä. A possible picture is discussed, that is, the Balmer jump is directly produced by the association of a chromospheric condensation and of non-thermal effects, while the continuum enhancement between 4000 and 7000 Ä, is indirectly produced by the condensation and the non-thermal effects via radiative heating to the deeper photospheric layers. Title: Brightening Event in Hα and Soft X-Ray on May 18, 1994 Authors: Tang, Y. H.; Li, Y. N.; Schmieder, B.; Aulanier, G.; Demoulin, P.; Fang, C.; Sakurai, T. Bibcode: 2000AdSpR..25.1829T Altcode: By using Yohkoh soft X-ray images, vector magnetograms and Hα filtergrams, a brightening event that occurred on May 18, 1994 has been studied in detail. It occurred in a nearly potential large-scale magnetic configuration as shown by the comparisons between the magnetic extrapolations (linear force-free field) and the large-scale soft X-ray loops. This brightening event observed in Hα line and soft X-ray seems to be related to new emerging magnetic flux with an amount of photospheric magnetic flux of about 3× 1020 Mx. The emerging flux increases obviously about 20 minutes before the Hα and soft X-ray brightening, and lasts for about 103 s. This brightening may be a signature of reconnection taking place between the pre-existing loop and the new emerging small loops Title: Numerical Study on the Effect of Heat Conduction on Magnetic Reconnection Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 2000AdSpR..26..525C Altcode: The effect of heat conduction on 2.5D magnetic reconnection, similar to that in Kopp-Pneuman model, is numerically studied. It is shown that the heat conduction accelerates the reconnection, increases the amount of shrinkage of the closed field lines, and increases the average rise speed of the SXR loop. MHD slow shocks contribute to the SXR loop heating. When the timescale of heat conduction is shorter than the Alfvén timescale, an adiabatic slow shock is dissociated into an isothermal slow shock and a heat conduction front Title: 3-D Magnetic Configurations for Filaments and Flares: The Role of ``Magnetic Dips'' and ``Bald Patches'' Authors: Aulanier, G.; Schmieder, B.; van Driel-Gesztelyi, L.; Kucera, T.; Démoulin, P.; Fang, C.; Mein, N.; Vial, J. -C.; Mein, P.; Tang, Y. H.; Deforest, C. Bibcode: 2000AdSpR..26..485A Altcode: The 3-D magnetic configuration of a filament and of a low energy flare is reconstructed, using linear mag- netohydrostatic (lmhs) extrapolations. In both cases, we find observational signatures of energy release at the locations of computed ``bald patches'' separatrices, characterised by field lines which are tangent to the photosphere.The filament was observed on Sept. 25, 1996, in Hα with the MSDP on the German VTT, Tenerife, as well as in Si IV with SOHO/SUMER. It is modeled as a twisted flux-tube deformed by the magnetic polarities observed with SOHO/MDI. The shape and location of the computed dipped field lines are in good agreement with the shape of the filament and its feet observed in Hα. Some ``bald patches'' (BPs) are present where the distribution of dips reaches the photosphere. We show that some of the large scale field lines rooted in BPs can be related to bright fine structures in Si IV. We propose that the plasma there is heated by ohmic dissipation from the currents expected to be present along the BP separatrices.The flare was observed on May 18, 1994, in soft X-rays with Yohkoh/SXT, and in Hα at Mitaka (Japan). The magnetic field is directly extrapolated from a photospheric magnetogram from Kitt Peak Observatory. The intersections with the photosphere of the computed separatrices match well the bright Hα ribbons. The later are associated to three BPs, with overlaying dipped field lines. We show that enhanced densities are present in these dips, which can be correlated with dark Hα fibrils.Both cases show the importance of dipped field lines and BPs in the solar atmosphere. Energy release via ohmic dissipation as well as reconnection along BP separatrices is proposed to provide heating observed as UV brightenings in filament channels and even as small flares Title: Commission 12: Solar Radiation and Structure (Radiation et Structure Solaires) Authors: Foukal, Peter; Solanki, Sami; Mariska, J.; Baliunas, S.; Dravins, D.; Duvall, T.; Fang, C.; Gaizauskas, V.; Heinzel, P.; Kononovich, E.; Koutchmy, S.; Melrose, D.; Stix, M.; Suematsu, Y.; Deubner, F. Bibcode: 2000IAUTA..24...73F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Evolution of Magnetic Field and CMEs Authors: Fang, C.; Chen, P. F.; Tang, Y. H.; Shibata, K. Bibcode: 2000IAUJD...7E..17F Altcode: Observations show that some evolving magnetic structures occur in solar active regions before the onset of CMEs. In 2D framework, through changing the bottom boundary of magnetic field, we simulate numerically the dynamics of the coronal plasma with a magnetic configuration similar to a filament. In some cases, we find the flux rope (or filament) loses its equilibrium, and moves upward. A current sheet is formed below the filament. If there is no reconnection or the reconnection is not so fast, the filament will finally stop motion and fall down, while when fast reconnection occurs, the filament erupts. The characteristics of its motion are well consistent with filament eruptions and CMEs. After the reconnection, a cusp shaped hot X-ray loop is formed as the signature of solar flares. This model provides deep insight on the relation between the photospheric magnetic field variation and the onset of CMEs, and on the relation between CMEs and solar flares. Title: Multi-line two-dimensional spectroscopy of a limb flare Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C.; Yin, S. Y.; Chen, P. F. Bibcode: 1999A&A...348L..29D Altcode: We present the result of a preliminary analysis of the 2D spectra of Hα and Ca ii lambda 8542 for a limb flare on 11 November, 1998. Near the top of the flaring loop, the Hα line is extraordinarily broadened. The effect of line opacity (or the saturation of line core) cannot fully account for the observed line width since it requires an extremely high loop density (n_H>~ 10(13) cm(-3) when T=10(4) K). The remaining possibility is the broadening by micro-turbulence or inhomogeneous mass motions. Since the two lines demonstrate different broadening effects, it is quite possible that they are formed in different fine structures which cannot be spatially resolved by observations. Title: Flaring Loop Motion and a Unified Model for Solar Flares Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Tang, Y. H. Bibcode: 1999ApJ...520..853C Altcode: We performed 2.5-dimensional numerical simulations of magnetic reconnection for several models, some with the reconnection point at a high altitude (the X-type point in magnetic reconnection), and one with the reconnection point at a low altitude. In the high-altitude cases, the bright loop appears to rise for a long time, with its two footpoints separating and the field lines below the bright loop shrinking, which are all typical features of two-ribbon flares. The rise speed of the loop and the separation speed of its footpoints depend strongly on the magnetic field B0, to a medium extent on the density ρ0, and weakly on the temperature T0, the resistivity η, and the length scale L0, by which the size of current sheet and the height of the X-point are both scaled. The strong B0 dependence means that the Lorentz force is the dominant factor; the inertia of the plasma may account for the moderate ρ0 dependence; and the weak η dependence may imply that ``fast reconnection'' occurs; the weak L0 dependence implies that the flaring loop motion has geometrical self-similarity. In the low-altitude case, the bright loops cease rising only a short time after the impulsive phase of the reconnection and then become rather stable, which shows a distinct similarity to the compact flares. The results imply that the two types of solar flares, i.e., the two-ribbon flares and the compact ones, might be unified into the same magnetic reconnection model, where the height of the reconnection point leads to the bifurcation. Title: Analysis Of The Disappearing Filament And Flare Of 7 May 1992 Authors: Tang, Y. H.; Mouradian, Z.; Schmieder, B.; Fang, C.; Sakurai, T. Bibcode: 1999SoPh..185..143T Altcode: By using Yohkoh soft X-ray data, Hα filtergrams, and radio data, the activation of the disappearing filament and the flare eruption on 7 May 1992 have been studied. Main conclusions are as follows: (1) the emergence of new magnetic flux tends to affect the pre-existing X-ray loops, which usually appear in arcades spanning Hα filament, changing the magnetic environment of the filament, and then enhance the current in the filament. Therefore newly emerging flux plays a fundamental role in the destabilization of this filament. (2) According to the Hα data and the rising motion of the filament, the corresponding current variation in the filament has been calculated. It seems that the current interruption may be a possible trigger mechanism for this filament disappearance. (3) The magnetic field strength and the energy flux of energetic electrons in the source region of microwave bursts have been estimated by using the microwave spectrum. During the main phase, the mean magnetic strength and the energy flux of energetic electrons are about 300-400 G and 1×1011 erg cm−2 s −1, respectively. (4) The energy provided by reconnection of the current sheet and the total energy of the current filament are estimated and we show that there is enough energy stored in the filament to feed the 7 May, 1992 flare. Title: Simulation of Magnetic Reconnection with Heat Conduction Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 1999ApJ...513..516C Altcode: Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations are numerically solved to study 2.5-dimensional magnetic reconnection with field-aligned heat conduction, which is also compared with the adiabatic case. The dynamical evolution starts after anomalous resistivity is introduced into a hydrostatic solar atmosphere with a force-free current sheet, which might be similar to the configuration before some solar flares. The results show that two jets (i.e., the outflows of the reconnection region) appear. The downward jet collides with the closed line-tied field lines, and a bright loop is formed with a termination shock at the loop top. As the reconnection goes on, the loop rises almost uniformly with a speed of tens of km s-1, and the two footpoints of the loop separate with a speed comparable to the loop rise speed. Besides the apparent loop motion, the magnetic loops below the loop top shrink weakly. Such a picture is consistent with that given by observations of two-ribbon solar flares. Moreover, the results indicate that the slow MHD shock contributes to the bright loop heating. Some detailed structures of the reconnection process are also discussed. Title: Two-Fluid Motion of Plasma in Alfvén Waves and the Heating of Solar Coronal Loops Authors: Wu, D. J.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1999ApJ...511..958W Altcode: Taking the effect of two-fluid motion of plasma in Alfvén waves into account, a nonzero parallel electric field can rise within the wave itself under collisionless conditions. This leads to a kinetic dissipation of Alfvén waves by the wave-particle resonant interaction and electron heating along the ambient magnetic field lines. Employing the drift kinetic equation, we investigated this electron-heating mechanism under the cool ion approximation. The result shows that the damping rate and the heating rate obviously depend on the strength distribution of the ambient magnetic field, and that they reach their maximum values at B0=Bm and B0=(1+2α)1/2Bm, respectively, for the perturbed field of δB~Bα0, where Bm is the ambient magnetic field strength when vA=vTe. Finally, we propose that this heating mechanism can be applied to explain the brightness distribution of solar soft X-ray coronal loops. Title: Heating in the Lower Atmosphere and the Continuum Emission of Solar White-Light Flares Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C.; Yun, H. S. Bibcode: 1999ApJ...512..454D Altcode: Observationally, there is a small fraction of solar white-light flares (WLFs), the so-called type II WLFs, showing an increased visible continuum but no significant Balmer jump and less strong chromospheric line emission in comparison with type I WLFs. The classical point of view, that the flare energy is initially released in the corona and then transported downward, can hardly explain WLFs of this kind. In this paper we explore the possibility that type II WLFs originate from a deeper layer. Assuming an in situ energy release, in particular in the form of high-energy particles, in a region around the temperature minimum, the continuum emission is computed in different time stages during the flare evolution. At first, nonthermal excitation and ionization of hydrogen atoms caused by bombarding particles result in a decline of the visible continuum. Later on, the lower atmosphere is gradually heated through radiative transfer, mitigating the continuum decline. In the final stage, when the particle bombardment stops while the atmosphere still keeps a heated state, we obtain a positive continuum contrast without an obvious Balmer jump. This meets the condition required for type II WLFs. The presence or absence of a continuum decline in the early stage of the flare provides a diagnostic tool for nonthermal processes in the lower atmosphere. Title: A Measure of Magnetic Field Discontinuity Authors: Moon, Y. -J.; Yun, H. S.; Lee, S. W.; Kim, J. -H.; Choe, G. S.; Park, Y. D.; Ai, G.; Zhang, H. Q.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1999SoPh..184..323M Altcode: In this paper we introduce a measure of magnetic field discontinuity, MAD, defined as Maximum Angular Difference between two adjacent magnetic field vectors. To examine the characteristics of the MAD, we have considered several active region models having a quadrupolar field configuration and computed MADs over these active regions by approximating the 3-D magnetic fields as an ensemble of charge potential fields or linear force-free fields. The computed MAD fields are studied in comparison with other flare activity indicators such as separators. It is found that (1) the region of high level MAD corresponds well with the separator, or practically the intersection of the separator with the plane of measurement, (2) it singles out local discontinuities of magnetic fields, and (3) the MAD can also be a measure of the evolutionary status of an active region. Title: Magnetic Reconnection and Flare Loop Motion Authors: Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 1999ASSL..240..337C Altcode: 1999numa.conf..337C No abstract at ADS Title: Magnetohydrostatic Model of a Bald-Patch Flare Authors: Aulanier, G.; Démoulin, P.; Schmieder, B.; Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H. Bibcode: 1998SoPh..183..369A Altcode: On 18 May, 1994, a subflare was observed in AR 7722 in X-rays by Yohkoh/SXT and in Hα at National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. The associated brightenings are due to small-scale magnetic energy release, triggered by parasitic fluxes emerging and moving at the edge of leading sunspots. Using the magnetohydrostatic equations derived by Low (1992), we model the magnetic field configuration by extrapolation of the Kitt Peak photospheric field, taking into account the effects of pressure and gravity. Hα flare kernels are shown to be located at computed separatrices associated with field lines which are tangent to the photosphere, namely 'bald patches' (BPs). This is evidence that BPs can be involved in flares, and that current sheets can be dissipated in low levels of the solar atmosphere. The presence of dense plasma which is supported against gravity in the magnetic dips above BPs is correlated to dark elongated features observed in Hα. Mass flows in these flat fibrils are discussed in the context of energy release in the BP separatrices. The effect of the plasma on the computed magnetic configuration is shown to be of secondary importance with respect to the topology of the field. Title: Spectral Analysis of a Thermal Flare on 27 October 1993 Authors: Schmieder, B.; Fang, C.; Harra-Murnion, L. K. Bibcode: 1998SoPh..182..447S Altcode: A thermal subflare occurring on 27 October 1993 was observed during a multi-wavelength campaign with the Yohkoh spacecraft and the Multi-channel Subtractive Double-Pass spectrograph (MSDP) at Pic du Midi. The various instruments provided us with 2-D Hα spectra, X-ray spectra and X-ray images. A non-LTE computation (including chromospheric condensation) was carried out to determine the dynamic parameters of the flaring chromosphere. By combining these results with the Yohkoh data, we illustrate that momentum is balanced between the upflowing plasma and the downflowing cool plasma during the flare. This result is consistent with the evaporation model. Title: Multi-Wavelength Analysis of the Flare on 2 October 1993 Authors: Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Hénoux, J. -C.; Huang, Y. R.; Ding, M. D.; Sakurai, T. Bibcode: 1998SoPh..182..163F Altcode: By use of Yohkoh hard X-ray flux and soft X-ray images, and of vector magnetograms and 2D spectral observations, a 1N/C6.5 flare observed on 2 October 1993 is analysed in detail. Evidence is provided not only morphologically but also quantitatively that the dynamics at kernels A and C of the flare in the impulsive phase were controlled mainly by electron beam bombardment, while the heating of kernel B is mainly due to heat conduction. By plotting the energy gradient of the electron energy flux as a function of energy for the various spectral indexes observed during the flare, the acceleration mechanism is found to be such that there is a constant energy E0, close to 20 keV, for which the electron flux d F1/dE is constant. It is shown that such a conclusion can be reached more directly by using the photon flux, which in that case must be constant for E=E0, whatever the value of the power index. This result implies also that the electron spectrum is represented by a power law and that the X-ray photons are produced in a thick target. Instantaneous momentum balance is shown to exist between the upflowing soft X-ray-emitting and the downflowing Hα- emitting plasma at the kernels of the flare. The observed Hα red asymmetry is well reproduced by the non-LTE computation, with the down-moving condensation included. The observation of the magnetic field suggests that the flare was triggered probably by magnetic flux emergence. Title: A possible mechanism for the Hα broad wings emission of Ellerman bombs Authors: Henoux, J. -C.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 1998A&A...337..294H Altcode: In this paper, the non-thermal emission of Lyalpha , Lybeta and Hα lines generated through charge exchange by protons accelerated in the low chromosphere and moving with a small pitch angle around an horizontal magnetic field has been computed. Computations have been done for observations made at the center of the solar disk, i.e. in a situation where the solar magnetic field is perpendicular to the line of sight, for non zero pitch angles. In such conditions, the photons emitted through charge exchange are Doppler shifted symmetrically in both wings of the lines. The Hα far line wing intensities increase significantly, making possible to reproduce the characteristics of the spectra of Ellerman bombs. Thus it is proposed that a proton beam accelerated in the low chromosphere, and losing its energy there, is a viable candidate for explaining the observed EB spectra. Title: Line profiles in moustaches produced by an impacting energetic particle beam Authors: Ding, M. D.; Henoux, J. -C.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1998A&A...332..761D Altcode: The Hα line profile in moustaches is characterized by enhanced wings and a deep central absorption. We explore the possibility that such a profile may be due to the effect of energetic particles bombarding the atmosphere. Computations show that the characteristics of moustache line profiles can be qualitatively reproduced in two extreme cases, either injection from the corona of high energy particles (ga 60 keV electrons or ga 3 MeV protons) or injection in a low-lying site, in middle chromosphere or deeper, of less energetic particles ( ~ 20 keV electrons or ~ 400 keV protons). The requirements on the energy and on the depth of the injection site of energetic particles are reduced in the case of observations close to the solar limb. The role of protons of energies below 1 MeV is slightly less significant than that of deka-keV electrons in the case of a high particle injection site, but such protons remain to be viable candidates in the case of lower particle injection sites and of observations at larger heliocentric angles. Observations at various wavelengths are needed to find which of these hypotheses is convenient for explaining a given event. Title: Non-thermal hydrogen line emission caused by an oblique incident proton beam through charge exchange Authors: Zhao, X.; Fang, C.; Henoux, J. -C. Bibcode: 1998A&A...330..351Z Altcode: In this paper, formulae are given for computing the non-thermal emission of superthermal hydrogen atoms generated through charge exchange by the bombardment of the solar atmosphere by an oblique incident proton beam with a given pitch angle. Specifically, we discuss the non-thermal emission of hydrogen in Lyalpha , Lybeta , and Hα lines and find that the profiles of these lines are quite different from the ones caused by bombardment by a proton beam moving vertically. The intensity and the asymmetry of the non-thermal emission profiles strongly depend on the beam pitch angle alpha and on the angle theta between the direction of magnetic field and the line of sight. By computing the thermal emission under the semi-empirical flare atmospheric models F1, F2, and the quiet-Sun atmospheric model C, we compare the relative importance of thermal and non-thermal emission. For the Hα line, the non-thermal emission, with the proton flux used, is too small to be detectable; for the Lyalpha line, the contribution of non-thermal emission to the line wings is smaller than the one of a vertical beam; while for the Lybeta line, line wing enhancement and broadening are significant. Thus, Lybeta line is a good diagnostic tool for non-thermal proton beam bombardment. Title: Particle Beam Diagnostics Based on UV and Optical Spectra of Solar Flares (invited) Authors: Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Hénoux, J. C. Bibcode: 1998asct.conf..497F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Coronal Loops Above a Sunspot Region Authors: Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H.; Ding, M. D.; Zhao, J.; Sakurai, T.; Hiei, E. Bibcode: 1997SoPh..176..267F Altcode: By analysing the data of Yohkoh soft X-ray images, vector magnetograms and 2D spectral observations, coronal loops above a large sunspot on 16-19 May 1994 have been studied. It is shown that the loops follow generally the alignment of concentrated magnetic flux. The results indicate that the soft X-ray emission is low just above the sunspot, while some loops connecting regions with opposite magnetic polarities show strong soft X-ray emission. Especially, the part of the loops near the weaker magnetic field region tends to be brighter than the one near the stronger magnetic field. The temperature around the top of the loops is typically ∼3 × 106 K, which is higher than that at the legs of the loops by a factor of 1.5-2.0. The density near the top of the loops is about 5 x 109 cm-3, which is higher than that of the leg parts of the loops. These loops represent probably the sites where strong magnetic flux and/or current are concentrated. Title: Magnetic reconnection mechanism for Type II white-light flares. Authors: Li, X. Q.; Song, M. T.; Hu, F. M.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1997A&A...320..300L Altcode: Based on the concept that the heating source for Type II white-light flares (WLFs) may be located in the photosphere, we suggest that Type II WLF is reduced by magnetic reconnection in a weakly ionized plasma. A plasmoid may rise by magnetic buoyancy from the subphotosphere into a sunspot region and then expand to form a current sheet in which a type of resistive instability takes place. The effect of neutral atoms on the resistive instability is estimated and found to produce a growth time of typically ten minutes that agrees well with observations. Title: Influence of non-thermal processes on line asymmetries in solar flares. Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1997A&A...318L..17D Altcode: We make line profile calculations for a flare atmosphere considering simultaneously the effect of non-thermal excitation and ionization of the hydrogen atoms caused by precipitating high-energy electrons, and the effect of possible chromospheric downflows. The results confirm the earlier finding that a downflow, if confined to the upper chromosphere, can sometimes produce a blue asymmetry of the Hα line. In addition, we find that the existence of such non-thermal effects tends to enhance the blue-asymmetry magnitude. In particular, the larger the energy flux, or the harder the energy spectrum for the beam electrons, the easier it will be to produce a blue-asymmetric Hα profile, which is simultaneously intensified and broadened. Possible reasons which make the blue asymmetry less popular than the red asymmetry in observations are discussed. Title: Spectral Characteristics and Mechanisms of Two Types of Solar White-Light Flares Authors: Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 1997tcca.conf..340F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Spectral Diagnostics of the Energetic Particles in Solar Flares Authors: Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Henoux, J. C.; Gan, W. Q. Bibcode: 1996JKASS..29..295F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Parametric study of the continuum emission of white-light flares. Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1996A&A...314..643D Altcode: In this paper, we study the effect of different flare-associated disturbances on the white-light continuum emission, using a non-LTE computation code. A systematic study is made to show the variational behavior of the continuum contrast in dependence on different input parameters and different locations on the Sun. The results show that (1) a purely chromospheric temperature rise is not sufficient, under the assumed physical conditions, to produce a significant continuum enhancement, especially at visible wavelengths, except for some extreme cases when the chromospheric temperature is rather high and the event occurs near the disk limb, (2) a downward shift of the transition region would have some effect, if the top column mass density becomes sufficiently large, and (3) the effect of nonthermal electron beam bombardment is obvious only when the transition region has not suffered a great shift. For these three cases, the continuum contrast in the Balmer continuum is much larger than that beyond the Balmer continuum, implying there is a Balmer jump in the modeled spectra. In some special cases, the chromospheric temperature rise enhances the absorption of the photospheric radiation, thus producing a spurious negative continuum contrast. A case for possible temperature rises around the temperature minimum region is also considered. The continuum contrast in the case of enhanced temperature minimum is found to be much flatter than for the above cases, implying a significant emission process in the lower atmosphere. Title: Time-dependent Flare Signature in Hydrogen Balmer Lines Authors: Lee, Sang-Woo; Lee, Jeongwoo; Yun, H. S.; Fang, C.; Hu, J. Bibcode: 1996ApJ...470L..65L Altcode: In recent studies of H alpha flare imaging spectroscopy performed by Leka et al. and de la Beaujardiere et al. in 1993, H alpha line profiles have been investigated as a function of space to locate the physical process underlying observed spectral profiles. In this Letter, we discuss time evolution of hydrogen Balmer line profiles at a fixed spatial point recorded by the multichannel spectrograph at Nanjing University in China during the 1991 October 27 white-light flare which occurred in NOAA 6891. It is found that the Balmer emission lines with a central reversal show up at the beginning of the H alpha flare but change to single-peaked profiles in about 30 s. This result may, according to Canfield et al.'s model in 1993, indicate that the Balmer line enhancement even at one flare site could be caused by two physical processes, namely, initially by the high-energy particle precipitation and subsequently by the high coronal pressure. We also present evidence for downward motion and the Stark broadening effect on the observed Balmer line wings to examine further the physical consequences of the particle precipitation. Time correlation of the Balmer line emission with hard X-ray and continuum brightening is briefly discussed based on the spectral information. Title: On a Possible Explanation of Chromospheric Line Asymmetries of Solar Flares Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1996SoPh..166..437D Altcode: We discuss the relationship between the chromospheric downward motions and the line asymmetries in solar flares by using a simple model. It is found that both the blue asymmetry and red asymmetry of the Hα line can be caused by downward motions, as long as the moving material is confined to different heights in the chromosphere. The Ca II K line, however, mainly shows a red asymmetry. The results can qualitatively explain some observations. Title: Spectral analysis of Hα, Hβ, and Hγ lines of a white-light flare (3B/X6.1) on October 27, 1991 Authors: Lee, S. W.; Yun, H. S.; Hu, J.; Fang, C.; Wang, J. L. Bibcode: 1996SoPh..163..361L Altcode: We have analyzed time series of Hα, Hβ, and Hγ line profiles taken from a 3B/X6.1 flare which occurred on October 27, 1991 in active region NOAA 6891. Each set of the spectra was taken simultaneously for the first 10 min of the flare event with a low and non-uniform time resolution of 10-40 s. A total of 22 sets of Hα, Hβ, and Hγ were scanned by a PDS with absolute intensity calibration to derive the dynamics and energetics of material in the flare region. Our results are as follows: (1) The Balmer line emitting region is accelerated downward to about 50 km s-1 for the first 50 s and then is decelerated to about 10 km s-1 for the next 150 s. (2) The radial velocity peak precedes the Balmer line intensity peak by about 40 s. (3) The total energy radiated from these Balmer lines is estimated to be 4.9 × 1029 erg. Title: Chromospheric Evaporation in Four Solar Flares Observed by YOHKOH Authors: Ding, M. D.; Watanabe, T.; Shibata, K.; Sakurai, T.; Kosugi, T.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1996ApJ...458..391D Altcode: We present an analysis of the Ca XIX soft X-ray spectra of four flares observed by the Yohkoh spacecraft. These spectra show evident blueshifted signatures. Using a two-component fitting technique, we obtain the time variations of the fitting parameters. The peak line-of-sight upflow velocities range from 180 to 320 km s-1. The durations of upflows with observable velocities (≥ 100 km s-1) are found to be 4-10 minutes. Particularly, for two of the four flares, the emission measure of the blueshifted component is larger than that of the stationary component at early times. This fact agrees qualitatively with the predictions of numerical simulations of chromospheric evaporation. There is a rough correlation between the nonthermal turbulent velocity and the upflow velocity, consistent with the results of Fludra et al. We also find that most Ca xix resonance profiles show no significant shift of the profile peak, regardless of the blue asymmetry which sometimes appears. The possible causes of this phenomenon are discussed. Title: Are White-Light Flares Related to High Energy Particles? Authors: Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Hu, J.; Yin, S. Y. Bibcode: 1996mpsa.conf..553F Altcode: 1996IAUCo.153..553F No abstract at ADS Title: Effects on Non-Thermal Particles on the UV and Optical Spectra of Solar Flares Authors: Henoux, J. -C.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1996mpsa.conf..561H Altcode: 1996IAUCo.153..561H No abstract at ADS Title: The Improved Solar Tower of Nanjing University and a CCD Imaging Spectrograph Authors: Huang, Y. R.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Ji, G. P.; Gao, X. F.; Ying, S. Y.; Hu, J.; Xue, Y. Z. Bibcode: 1996gbaa.conf..303H Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: On Thermal Hydrodynamical Models of Solar Flares with a High Initial Coronal Density Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Cheng, C. C.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1995ApJ...452..445G Altcode: We present some hydrodynamical results for a thermal model of solar flares with a high initial coronal density (5-11 × 1010 cm-3) in the flaring loop. The thermal energy is assumed to be released around the top of the loop. The results of the hydrodynamic simulation show that, in the initial phase of the flare, there is always a strong downward motion in the corona. This motion with a velocity as large as 700 km s--1 can last a few tens of seconds, leading to a pronounced redshift of the Ca XIX W line. This is not consistent with the observations of majority of flares, which show predominantly blueshifted or blue-asymmetric Ca XIX and Fe XXV lines. However, the results could account for the redshifted Ca XIX emission observed in a small number of flares, indicating a high initial coronal density in these flares. We conclude that only when the initial coronal density is smaller than 1010 cm-3 can the strong downward motion of the coronal material at the early phase of the flare be suppressed. When we combine the present and previous results of flare simulations, it appears that a model with both thermal and nonthermal energy sources may be more realistic in describing the flare hydrodynamics. Title: Spectral Analysis of the White Light Flare on 1974OCT11 Authors: Yin, S. Y.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Hiei, E.; Fu, W. J. Bibcode: 1995AcASn..36..279Y Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: A CCD Imaging Spectrograph in the Improved Solar Tower of Nanjing-University Authors: Huang, Y. R.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Gao, X. F.; Zhu, Z. G.; Ying, S. Y.; Hu, J.; Xue, Y. Z. Bibcode: 1995SoPh..159..127H Altcode: 1995SoPh..159..127Y Since 1992 the solar tower telescope of Nanjing University (118°51' E, 32°03' N) as well as its multichannel solar spectrograph, originally established in 1982, have been reconstructed and a two-channel imaging spectrograph has been operated successfully. The apertures of the coelostat and the secondary mirror are both 60 cm. The spherical objective mirror, having an aperture of 43 cm and a focal length of 2170 cm, produces a solar image of 20 cm diameter. Two auxiliary telescopes using a small fraction of the coelostat's aperture were set up for guiding and Hα monochromatic monitoring. A multichannel spectrograph can be operated in six wavebands simultaneously. A CCD imaging spectrograph can be used for data acquisition at Hα and CaII K line wavebands automatically and simultaneously. The instrument consists of two CCD cameras, an image processor (SR-151), a personal computer, and a mechanical scanning device. The principal characteristics of the instruments are described. Some observational results are presented as examples. Title: An Unusual Behaviour of the White-Light Flare on 11 October, 1974 Authors: Fang, C.; Yin, S. Y.; Hiei, E.; Ding, M. D.; Fu, Q. J. Bibcode: 1995SoPh..158..387F Altcode: It was found that in the spectrum of the white-light flare on 11 October, 1974, at the time of continuum maximum, the intensity of K1 in the CaII K line increased very significantly and reached nearly half of the continuum intensity. The duration of this unusual increase is less than 4 min. It seems that existing semi-empirical models can reproduce neither this characteristic nor the chromospheric condensation. Title: Hydrogen line spectra of a nonthermal proton beam. due to charge exchange in solar flares Authors: Fang, C.; Feautrier, N.; Henoux, J. -C. Bibcode: 1995A&A...297..854F Altcode: Using more recent values of the atomic parameters and a more refined atmospheric model, the nonthermal line emission resulting from proton-hydrogen charge exchange has been recomputed. Confirming the results of Canfield & Chang (1985), the hydrogen Hα nonthermal line emission was found too small to be detectable. On the other hand, the nonthermal emission in the red wings of the Lyα and Lyβ lines is significantly high and can be used as a diagnostic of low energy protons. However, this emission is at least one order of magnitude lower than the value derived by Canfield and Chang. Title: Diagnostics of non-thermal processes in chromospheric flares. III. Lyα and Lyβ spectra for an atmosphere bombarded by electron or proton beams. Authors: Henoux, J. C.; Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q. Bibcode: 1995A&A...297..574H Altcode: The Lyα and Lyβ line profiles, including the nonthermal excitation and ionization of hydrogen by electron or proton bombardment, have been computed for atmospheres with the temperature distributions of the semi-empirical models F_1_ and F_2_. These computations indicate that the intensities at the line wings are greatly enhanced by nonthermal effects, especially for an electron beam bombardment. These effects are the most obvious when the coronal column mass is relatively small. Thus, nonthermal effects should be the most pronounced just at the beginning of the impulsive phase. After the maximum of the impulsive phase, due to a fast increase of the coronal column mass, these effects will rapidly decrease. Title: Analysis of 2-d flare spectra: Velocity fields derived from Hα line asymmetries Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C.; Huang, Y. R. Bibcode: 1995SoPh..158...81D Altcode: We derive a time series of two-dimensional velocity fields for a flare region on 1992 December 16, based on the asymmetries of the Hα line. The Hα spectra were obtained by an imaging spectrograph at the Solar Tower Telescope of Nanjing University. Four sites with evident chromospheric downflows are found to appear and decay consecutively in the studied region. The value of maximum velocities is 30-40 km s−1 and the lifetime of downflows is 2-3 min at these sites. It is also shown that the asymmetries only exist at the line wing, while the line center has nearly no shifts for this flare. Finally, we make a discussion on the characteristics of the velocity distribution and its correlations with the intensity distribution, as well as with the hard X-ray emission. Title: Linear Current Instability in Loop Prominences Authors: Tang, Y. H.; Fang, C.; Cui, L. S. Bibcode: 1995SoPh..158...71T Altcode: By use of the dispersion equation given by Song, Wu, and Dryer (1987) for a cylinder plasma with mass motion and gravity included, we investigate the linear current instabilities developed in loop prominences. The results indicate that the mode of linear instability depends mainly on whethervs2 > Φ or not, wherevs is the sonic velocity at heightz, Φ =GM/(R +z) is the gravity potential,G the gravitational constant,M andR the mass and the radius of the Sun respectively. Ifvs2 > Φ, then the sausage instability will be dominant. Otherwise, the kink instability will be more important. A possible explanation of `knot' structure, which appears sometimes in solar loop prominences has been given. Title: On the spectral characteristics and atmospheric models of two types of white-light flares. Authors: Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 1995A&AS..110...99F Altcode: Based on detailed analyses of the solar white-light flares (WLFs) of 1974 September 10, 1979 September 19 and 1991 October 24, the characteristics of two types of WLFs have been distinguished. For the Type I WLF, there is a good time correlation between the maximum of continuum emission and the peaks of hard X-rays and microwave radiations; there is also a strong Balmer jump in the spectra; the Balmer lines are strong and very broad. For the Type II WLF, the situations are quite different. For these two types of WLFs, the atmospheric models and the contributions to the continuum from the hydrogen atoms and negative hydrogen ions, as well as the net radiative cooling rates, have been compared in detail. The possible mechanisms for the two types of WLFs have also been discussed. Title: Semi-Empirical Models of the White-Light Flare on October 24, 1991 Authors: Fang, C.; Henoux, J. C.; Ju, Hu; Yin-Zhang, Xue; Xiu-Fa, Gao; Qi-Jun, Fu Bibcode: 1995SoPh..157..271F Altcode: On October 24, 1991, a white-light flare was observed both from space and from the ground. A multi-waveband spectral analysis shows that the peak time of the continuum emission coincides well with that of a radio burst at 2840 MHz and with the hard X-ray emission. Three semi-empirical models, corresponding to the pre-flare condition and to the peak time of continuum emission both with and without non-thermal excitation and ionization of hydrogen by an electron beam, have been obtained. The results indicate that there is fast heating both in the chromosphere and the photosphere. Some evidence is given that this WLF is very likely a result of bombardment by an electron beam. By taking into account non-thermal effects, the chromospheric temperature of the semi-empirical model is significantly reduced. Title: VizieR Online Data Catalog: White-light flares models (Fang+, 1995) Authors: Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 1994yCat..41100099F Altcode: Based on detailed analyses of the solar white-light flares (WLFs) of 1974 September 10, 1979 September 19 and 1991 October 24, the characteristics of two types of WLFs have been distinguished. (3 data files). Title: Optical Spectra and Semi-Empirical Model of a White-Light Flare Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q.; Okamoto, T. Bibcode: 1994ApJ...429..890D Altcode: We derive a semi-empirical atmospheric model for the 1979 September 19 white-light flare (WLF), based on the observed continuum at 3590 to 3990 A and the Ca II K line profile. The model has a strongly heated photosphere, but has a chromospheric structure within the range of ordinary flare models. According to this model, the white-light continuum is mainly produced by the H- emission in the photosphere. A negative Balmer jump appears in the continuum spectrum (without considering the line blanketing effect), due to the Balmer continuum absorption in the chromosphere. From the spectral features and model results, the traditional heating mechanisms that are proposed to transport the energy from the corona down to deep layers seem insufficient to fully explain the photospheric heating for this WLF. The heating energy may originate within the photosphere itself. The possible energy release processes are also discussed, but a satisfactory explanation needs further quantitative studies. Title: Magnetohydrodynamic phenomena in the solar atmosphere. Authors: Fang, C.; Tang, Y. H. Bibcode: 1994PPMtO..13...87F Altcode: Solar atmosphere is a rotating plasma shell filled by magnetic field. The coupling between the magnetic and the movement of plasma makes a variety of magnetohydrodynamic phenomena in the solar atmosphere. After a brief introduction on the basic theoretical regime of solar MHD, the authors describe mainly the magnetohydrodynamic aspects of solar flares, solar prominences (filaments) and flux tubes with different scales. Title: The CCD Imaging Spectral Observational System in the Solar Tower of Nanjing University Authors: Huang, Y. R.; Fang, C.; Zu, Z. G.; Xue, Y. Z.; Gao, X. F.; Yin, S. Y.; Hu, J.; Ji, G. P. Bibcode: 1994AcASn..35..176H Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: On the Propagation of Chromospheric Condensations in Solar Flares (II). Evolution of the Mass Motion Velocity Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1994Ap&SS.213..247D Altcode: We study the evolution of the mass motion velocity in the chromospheric condensation, when it propagates into the deeper atmosphere. The condensation is represented by a shock-like structure. Its momentum equation can be solved after some approximations. The computations are carried out for two cases, i.e., the case that the gas pressure just behind the condensation front is constant and the case that the pressure increase at the top of the condensation is constant. The results show that the duration of the condensation in the second case is considerably longer than that in the first case. The most evident difference of the velocity evolution between the two cases appears in their later phase. A comparison of the results in this paper with the dynamic simulations indicates that the second case may be closer to the real situation. Title: On the Propagation of Chromospheric Condensations in Solar Flares (I). Dynamic Simulations Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1994Ap&SS.213..233D Altcode: We simulate dynamically the downward propagation of the chromospheric condensation, which originates following the chromospheric evaporation during solar flares. Our attention is concentrated on the lower part of the atmosphere. The top of the chromosphere (base of the transition region) is regarded as the top boundary. The condensation is mimicked by assuming an impulsive pressure increase at the top boundary. Using such a method, we compute in detail the evolution process of a condensation. The results show that the condensation can penetrate into the deeper atmosphere, though it becomes very weak at the later phase. Moreover, we also discuss the possibility that the mass motions in the condensation may cause the asymmetries of some spectral lines as observations have indicated. Title: High-Resolution Spectral Observation during the Impulsive Phase of a Flare Authors: Ji, G. P.; Kurokawa, H.; Fang, C.; Huang, Y. R. Bibcode: 1994SoPh..149..195J Altcode: High-resolution observations of the flare on October 21, 1989 were made with the Domeless Solar Telescope of the Hida Observatory. The following new results have been obtained: (a) during the impulsive phase of the flare, the spectral line asymmetry has spatial fine structures of 1″-2″; (b) for several points in the flare region the line profile alternatively changes between blue asymmetry and red asymmetry within a few seconds. A possible explanation has been suggested. Title: The Propagation of Chromospheric Condensations and the Asymmetry of Spectral Lines in Solar Flares Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1994AcApS..14..172D Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Study of the White Light Flare of 1974SEP10 Authors: Hu, J.; Fang, C.; Ding, M. D.; Hiei, E. Bibcode: 1994AcASn..35..396H Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Doppler Shifts of Metallic Lines for a White-Light Flare Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C.; Okamoto, T. Bibcode: 1994SoPh..149..143D Altcode: In this paper we investigate the Doppler shifts of the metallic lines for a 3B white-light flare on September 19, 1979. The results show that there is no systematic shift at the line center, while there may appear some asymmetry at the line wing. A possible heating process of this flare is proposed to interpret the observed spectral features. Title: Semiempirical Flare Models with Chromospheric Condensation Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Rieger, E.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1993ApJ...416..886G Altcode: Using Hα line profiles observed for two flares, we have constructed series of semiempirical models with chromospheric condensation. From the semiempirical point of view, it is shown for the first time that chromospheric condensations are responsible for the Hα line asymmetries, not only for the red-asymmetry, but also for the blue-asymmetry with a central reversal. The properties of the condensation and its calculated evolutionary tendency seem to be consistent with the results of current hydrodynamical models of solar flares. The results also show that for the first flare, the Hα can be explained merely by introducing the condensation without any need to heat the chromosphere, while for the second flare, the condensation has to overlap a heated chromosphere. Title: Hα Emission Line Profiles of Solar Flares with Turbulent Velocity Fields Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1993SoPh..147..305D Altcode: The Hα line profile in a flare atmospheric model superposed by a spatially correlated velocity field is studied in detail in this paper. The computations are carried out with the assumption that the velocity field is represented by a Kubo-Anderson process. It is found that the shape and the intensity of the Hα line profile depend greatly on the parameters of the velocity field. The variation of the profile and its relative deviation with respect to different correlation lengths is more complex than in the case of absorption lines. It is also shown that such a profile cannot be matched by those produced in the usually-used micro- and macro-turbulent approaches, especially for the velocity field with an intermediate correlation length. The results imply that the flare atmosphere should be highly turbulent in order to explain the observed Hα line profile with only weak central reversal in the flare spectra. Particularly, the effects of meso-turbulent fields should be taken into account in order to improve the spectral diagnostics and modelling of the flare atmosphere. Title: Hα and Ca II K line profiles of solar flare in turbulent velocity fields Authors: Fang, C.; Ding, M. D. Bibcode: 1993AdSpR..13i.321F Altcode: 1993AdSpR..13..321F No abstract at ADS Title: Diagnostics of non-thermal processes in chromospheric flares. I. H alpha and CaII K line profiles of an atmosphere bombarded by hecta keV electrons. Authors: Fang, C.; Henoux, J. C.; Gan, W. Q. Bibcode: 1993A&A...274..917F Altcode: The significance of non-thermal excitation and ionization of hydrogen and CaII, by an electron beam, on the line profiles of Hα and CaII K line has been investigated. Non-LTE Hot and CaII K line profiles have been calculated for the temperature distributions of semi-empirical flares models F1 and F2 (Machado et al. t980). For reasonable values of the beam energy flux and power index, the hydrogen lines are greatly strengthened and broadened, and an obvious central reversal appears. The effects are weaker for the CaII K line. These effects can be used to diagnose electron beam bombardment during a solar flare, especially at its early phase. Any semi-empirical flare model that does not take into account non-thermal effects overestimates the heating of the solar atmosphere. Title: Diagnostics of non-thermal processes in chromospheric flares. II. H alpha and CaII K line profiles of an atmosphere bombarded by 100 KeV-1 MeV protons. Authors: Henoux, J. C.; Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q. Bibcode: 1993A&A...274..923H Altcode: The effects on the Hα line profile of non-thermal excitation and ionization of hydrogen by a 100 KeV- 1 MeV proton beam have been investigated. Non-LTE Hα line profiles have been calculated for the temperature distributions of semi- empirical flares models F1 and F2 (Machado et al. 1980). For reasonable values of the beam energy flux and power index, the hydrogen lines are greatly strengthened. However, contrary to the case of an electron bombarded atmosphere, the line is not broadened, and no central reversal appears. These effects, alone or in conjunction with linear polarization measurements or Lyα red wing observations, can be used to diagnose proton beam bombardment. Title: Spectral Analysis of the 3b Flare on 1979SEP19 - Asymmetry and Doppler Shift of the Metal Lines Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C.; Tomizo, O. Bibcode: 1993AcApS..13..252D Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Mean Optical Depth and Contribution Function of Spectral Lines in a Turbulent Atmosphere Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1993Ap&SS.204..283D Altcode: In this paper we present a new definition and its analytic expressions for the mean optical depth and the mean contribution function of spectral lines in a turbulent atmosphere. These mean values are based on the radiative transfer equation and thus satisfy the general properties of the radiation field. They can be used to study the line formation process in turbulent atmospheres. Title: The Influence of Chromospheric Condensation on Hα Line Profiles Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Rieger, E.; Fang, C.; Zhang, H. Q. Bibcode: 1993SoPh..143..141G Altcode: The influence of the chromospheric condensation on Hα line profiles for the thermal model of a solar flare has been empirically studied in this paper. The so-called thermal model here means that there is no temperature increase relative to the quiet-Sun chromosphere but with a chromospheric condensation in the lower part of its transition region, which case is assumed to represent the early stage of the impulsive phase. The main results include: when the temperature within the condensation region is assumed to be equal to that in front of it, the influence is to create an additional absorption profile overlapping on the original one; by increasing the condensation strength, the Hα line profile changes from a little line-center increase to broadened red asymmetry, then to the reversed red asymmetry, and finally to two independent absorption profiles; the thickness of the condensation determines the absorption of the additional profile; descending the transition region has no obvious effect on the basic characteristic of the Hα line profile except a little increase in the line center. Assuming that the temperature within the condensation is higher than that ahead of the condensation, the calculated Hα line profiles may be strong enough to be comparable with the observations. This means that if the condensation in the purely thermal model can reach a higher temperature, we may also use only thermal origin to explain a chromospheric flare. Title: Spectral diagnostics for a thermal hydrodynamical model of a solar flare loop Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Rieger, E.; Fang, C.; Zhang, H. Q. Bibcode: 1992A&A...266..573G Altcode: Based on a thermal hydrodynamic model of solar flares, we have for the first time simultaneously computed the theoretical Ca XIX spectra (3.163-3.22 A) as well as H-alpha and Ca II K line profiles. The results show that the soft X-ray lines are to a large degree qualitatively consistent with the observations. The only deficiency is the predominant blueshifted component in the early impulsive phase. The explanations for this difference are discussed. In the chromosphere, although mostly unaffected by heating, the H-alpha and Ca II K lines are rather strong. The asymmetric characteristics calculated show to be also compatible with the observations. We therefore conclude that the thermal hydrodynamic model can describe the observed spectral characteristics of solar flares rather well. Title: The Role of Chromospheric Condensations in the Continuum Emission of White-Light Flares Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Rieger, E.; Zhang, H. Q.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1992ApJ...397..694G Altcode: A non-LTE atmospheric modeling technique has been used to study the relations between the chromospheric condensation and the continuum emission in order to explore the possibility that the chromospheric condensations may be responsible for white-light flare emissions. It is found that the chromospheric condensation could produce the continuum enhancement only when it has a temperature of 9000-10,000 K and only when the transition region moves downward below to generate than 0.0001 g/sq cm. If the temperature within the condensation is equal to or lower than that of neighboring region, the continuum is either not affected or even decreased. The role of the condensation in producing the continuum seems to be independent of the chromospheric state. Taking the quiet-sun model as a background, the enhanced continuum usually exhibits a reddish distribution with a Balmer jump. Taking the penumbra model as background, the calculated continuum enhancement may exhibit a flat or a bluish distribution with a Balmer jump. Title: Ca ii K line asymmetries in two well-observed solar flares of October 18, 1990 Authors: Fang, C.; Hiei, E.; Okamoto, T. Bibcode: 1991SoPh..135...89F Altcode: Two-dimensional evolutions of two flares of October 18, 1990 have been well observed in the CaII K line with a CCD camera at Norikura station of National Astronomical Observatory in Japan. There are two common characteristics for the flares: 3 ∼- 5 min before the impulsive phase, the heating already begins at the footpoints of the flares, but no asymmetry in line emission has been detected. After the onset of the impulsive phase, CaII K line emission at the footpoints shows strong red asymmetry, with the maximum asymmetry occurring at the same time as the peak of the radio bursts. The maximum downward velocity is about 30 ∼ 50 km s−1. For flare 1, blue and red asymmetries were observed in two sides of the footpoint area. They developed and attained a maximum nearly at the same time and the inferred Doppler velocities are comparable (30 ∼ 40 km s−1). This implies that two mass jets started from a small region and ejected along a loop but in opposite directions with roughly equivalent momentum. A possible mechanism has been discussed. Title: A hydrodynamic model of the impulsive phase of a solar flare loop Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Zhang, H. Q.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1991A&A...241..618G Altcode: With improvements in modeling of the chromospheric radiative loss and in the resolution of the transition region, together with the introduction of the mechanism of chromospheric heating by coronal soft X-rays, a numerically simulated hydrodynamic response of a solar flare loop to the thermal energy deposition around the top of the loop is described. Detailed evolutionary pictures have been obtained during the early stage of the impulsive phase for the conductively heated model, showing the fast heating of the flaring atmosphere, the formation and the development of chromospheric evaporation and condensation, the motion of the transition region, the consequences of the high-speed collision of evaporated material at the top. Title: A Numerical Simulation for the Cooling Process of the Solar Flare Loop Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Fang, C.; Zhang, H. Q. Bibcode: 1991PASA....9..317G Altcode: 1991PASAu...9..317G No abstract at ADS Title: A Hydrodynamic Thermal Model of the Impulsive Phase of Solar Flares Authors: Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q.; Zhang, H. Q. Bibcode: 1991LNP...387..157F Altcode: 1991fpsa.conf..157F No abstract at ADS Title: AR:5395 - Observations on the Asymmetries of the Hα and CAII K Line Profiles of the Flares on 1989MAR9 and 1989MAR14 Authors: Fang, C.; Hu, J.; Ji, G. P.; Yin, S. Y.; Zhang, Q. Z. Bibcode: 1990PYunO...4...38F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: A Hydrodynamic Model of the Gradual Phase of the Solar Flare Loop Authors: Gan, W. Q.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1990ApJ...358..328G Altcode: The hydrodynamic cooling process after the maximum phase of a solar flare has been simulated numerically, with improvements on the chromospheric radiative loss and the resolution of the transition region, together with the introduction of the mechanism of chromospheric heating by coronal soft X-rays. At the early stage of the gradual phase, chromospheric evaporation continues to take place and the transition region moves further downward. At the middle stage of the gradual phase, the corona atmosphere appears to have a quasi-periodic oscillation, and the transition region remains at the same position for a long time. At the later stage to of the gradual phase, the descent of coronal material does not happen, and the atmosphere evolves into a state with high density and low temperature. Finally, the atmosphere does not reach the quiet-sun conditions directly, and it would perhaps undergo a process of instability and develop into the stage of postflare loop. The efficiency of flare soft X-ray heating of the chromosphere is also discussed. Title: Semiempirical Models at Different Heights of a Quiescent Prominence Authors: Fang, C.; Zhang, Q. H.; Yin, S. Y.; Livingston, W. Bibcode: 1990LNP...363..284F Altcode: 1990doqp.coll..284F; 1990IAUCo.117..284F Semi-empirical models of a quiescent prominence observed on Dec. 12, 1972 with the McHath Telescope at Kitt Peak have been deduced for different heights. The transfer, statistical equilibrium equations as coupled with the hydrostatic equilibrium, and the partical conservtion equations have been solved. The models reproduce well the simultaneously observed H , H , Hr, CaII K,H and infrared triplet line profiles. The study indicates that the pressure near the edge of prominences and the microturbulence velocity in the prominences basically do not vary with height, but the temperature decreases monotonously from the edge toward the center. It is found that the temperature near the edge of prominences increases only slightly with height, but the central temperature decreases significantly. The results also indicate that near the edge of prominences there is no radiative equilibrium and the total radiative loss has a maxium which is mainly due to L. The radiative loss due to CaII is negligible in comparison with that due to hydrogen. The ionization problem of Calcium has also been discussed. Title: A semi-empirical model of sunspot penumbra Authors: Ding, M. D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1989A&A...225..204D Altcode: A new semiempirical model of a sunspot penumbra is presented in this paper. The model is based on the profiles of H-alpha, H-beta, Ca II H and K and infrared lines observed at Kitt Peak Observatory on July 3, 1985. Non-LTE calculations are made to obtain the atmospheric model. In the temperature minimum region there is a notable negative value of the net radiative loss rate. By analyzing the magnetohydrostatic equilibrium of the model atmosphere, it is shown that the magnetic force has a great impact on the distribution of particle densities at and above the upper chromosphere, whereas it does not change substantially the emergent intensities of the seven lines except those of the line cores of Ca II H and K. Title: Frontiers in Solar Physics Authors: Fang, C. Bibcode: 1989PrA.....7...19F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Dynamics of Solar Flare Atmosphere and its Spectral Diagnostics Authors: Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q. Bibcode: 1989PrA.....7...90F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Semiempirical models of the impulsive phase of the chromospheric flare. Authors: Gan, W. -Q.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1988ChJSS...8...12G Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Studies of the solar prominence of October 18, 1984 (I). Authors: Ye, S. -H.; Hu, J.; Zhang, Q. -Z.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1988PPMtO...7...33Y Altcode: This paper reports on the spectrophotometric studies of the solar prominence of October 18, 1984. It mainly describes the observation, the spectrograms and their reduction as well as the results of research on the mechanisms of broadening of hydrogen lines and the regions of formation of spectral lines belonging to various chemical elements. Title: Spectral Analysis and the Two-Dimensional Distribution of Physical Parameters in a Quiescent Prominence Authors: Zhang, Q. Z.; Livingston, W. C.; Hu, J.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1987SoPh..114..245Z Altcode: The profiles of Hα and Ca II K lines of a arch quiescent prominence on April 1, 1971 have been analyzed and the two-dimensional distributions of electron temperature Te, micro-turbulence velocity vt and the column number density of hydrogen along the line-of-sight NH have been obtained. Te, υt, and NH are found to be 7500 K, 6 km s−1 and 2.2 × 1018 cm−2 on an average, respectively. The electron temperature at the central part of the prominence and along the two arcades are greater than that at the edges, while the distribution of the micro-turbulence velocity in these regions is opposite. There is no systematic variation in Te and vt, from the center to the periphery as described by Hirayama (1971). The column number density in the central region is lower than that at the two edges. Title: Semi-empirical models of a quiescent prominence Authors: Zhang, Q. Z.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1987A&A...175..277Z Altcode: In the paper semi-empirical quiescent prominence models which satisfy the constraints of the radiative transfer equation, hydrostatic and statistical equilibrium are proposed. The atom is assumed to have five levels plus one continuum for hydrogen as well as for ionized calcium. The models reproduce well the observed Hα, Hβ, Ca II H and K line profiles. The results indicate that the temperature from the outer layer to the centre of the prominence decreases and the source functions of Hα, Hβ, Hγ, Ca II H and K lines increase. By computing radiation losses, it is found that the radiative loss due to hydrogen is much larger than that due to ionized calcium. Title: A study of the energy deposits in flaring atmosphere with semiempirical models of flares. Authors: Fang, C.; Gan, W. -Q. Bibcode: 1987ChJSS...7...29F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Unresolved small magnetic fluxtubes on the sun. Authors: Fang, C. Bibcode: 1987PPMtO...6....1F Altcode: Since the 1970s many observational facts have shown that most of solar magnetic fluxes, except in sunspots, are concentrated in the form of so-called magnetic fluxtubes, the diameters of which are believed to be less than 0.1arcsec. The existence of small magnetic fluxtubes has made a great influence upon the research of solar physics. This review describes the history of these developments, the methods of diagnostics, the results obtained so far and theoretical models. Title: Numerical modeling of the arch eruptive prominence on Dec. 20, 1982. Authors: Hu, Y. -Q.; Jin, S. -P.; Ni, X. -B.; Cui, L. -S.; Ji, G. -P.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1986AcASn..27...47H Altcode: The present paper presents a numerical modeling of the eruptive prominence on Dec. 20, 1982, based on one-dimensional hydrodynamical equations. The effect of various factors, such as front deceleration, thermal conduction, radiation loss and heating, on the formation of the eruptive prominence is preliminarily discussed. The result shows that arch eruptive prominences have completely different dynamic characters from coronal arches. Title: Chromospheric `active region loops' Authors: Fang, C.; Martres, M. J. Bibcode: 1986SoPh..105...51F Altcode: Archshaped structures above or around sunspot groups are considered as tracers of the magnetic lines of force. A study of the chromospheric contribution to the 3D general pattern is necessary to quantify this relationship. The emissive features detected in nine different active regions (AR) and observed on the disk at different levels in the chromosphere have been analysed (6 maps/AR). A good spatial correspondence is found between the maxima of Ca II K3 and Hα emissions. Eleven archshaped structures may be easily interpreted as loops. The footpoints are located on both sides of an inversion region in the magnetic field. They always avoid the local maxima and minima of the photospheric line-of-sight magnetic fields (H) pattern independent of the heliographic longitude. This suggests that the magnetic lines of force may have an oblique direction relative to the solar surface. Title: Semiempirical time-varying models of chromospheric flares. Authors: Fang, C.; Gan, W. Q.; Huang, Y. R.; Hu, J. Bibcode: 1986lasf.conf..117F Altcode: 1986lasf.symp..117F It is proposed to use Balmer lines and Ca II lines as good diagnostics of the models of chromospheric flares. By use of an iteration method to solve the equations describing hydrostatic, radiative and statistical equilibrium for hydrogen and ionized calcium atoms, the semiempirical time-varying models of chromospheric flares can be computed; the observed line profiles are well reproduced. As an application, the authors obtained the semiempirical time-varying models of the flare that occurred on 2 Dec., 1982. Title: White light flares and atmospheric modeling (Working Group report). Authors: Machado, M. E.; Avrett, E. H.; Falciani, R.; Fang, C.; Gesztelyi, L.; Henoux, J. -C.; Hiei, E.; Neidig, D. F.; Rust, D. M.; Sotirovski, P.; Svestka, Z.; Zirin, H. Bibcode: 1986lasf.conf..483M Altcode: The authors give a short summary of their discussions, and a set of recommendations which may help in the study of white light flare emission processes. Title: Semiempirical time-varying models of the chromospheric flare on Dec. 2, 1982. Authors: Fang, C.; Huang, Y. -R.; Hu, J.; Gan, W. -Q. Bibcode: 1986AcApS...6..322F Altcode: Using the multichannel spectrograph installed in the solar tower telescope of Nanjing University, the authors obtained the whole process spectra of an SB flare (S15W11) in Hα, Hβ and Ca II K line simultaneously. A series of Hα, Hβ and Ca II K line profiles and relevant parameters corresponding to seven moments are given. The non-LTE semiempirical time-varying models of the flare have been computed. Title: Continuum emission flares on Dec. 30, 1982 and on Feb. 3, 1983. Authors: Huang, Y. R.; Fang, C.; Hu, J. Bibcode: 1986lasf.conf..178H Altcode: The results indicated that the variations of the continuum emission of the two flares are more than 8 - 10% of the undisturbed values. Besides, the continuum emission coincided well in space and in time with the Hα kernel emission. Title: A possible mechanism of formation of faculae Authors: Ni, X. -B.; Jiang, Y. -T.; Chen, Z. -Z.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1985AcASn..26..107N Altcode: It is shown that the formation of faculae is the result of Joule dissipation of the Hall current generated by the interaction of a convection field of granules and the inter-granular magnetic field. The characteristic length of the region generating the Hall current must correspond to a Reynolds number of less than 1. The energy balance equation for a typical faculae region is derived and the results are used to calculate the velocity fields for five observational models of faculae. The proposed mechanism can also be used to explain the dependence of the facula brightness on the strength of the magnetic fields, as well as the apparent distribution of faculae on the solar disk. A schematic diagram showing an inter-granular magnetic flux tube in a convection field of granules is provided. Title: Dynamic models of flux tubes in the interpretation of polarization measurements. Authors: Ribes, E.; Rees, D.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1985NASCP2374..300R Altcode: Dynamic models lead to solutions quite different from hydrostatic ones. In view of the detection of mass motions with large velocity gradients, polarization measurements have to be interpreted in terms of dynamic models. The main properties of the intensity line profiles as well as the asymmetries of the V Stokes profiles can be explained best in terms of magnetic elements with moderate field strength. Title: Structure and Physics of Solar Faculae - Part Four - Chromospheric Granular Structure Authors: Fang, C.; Mouradian, Z.; Banos, G.; Dumont, S.; Pecker, J. C. Bibcode: 1984SoPh...91...61F Altcode: The methods used and the results obtained in the measurement of the distances between the centers of chromospheric granules are described. A coincidence of these structures at two different altitudes was observed. Observations made in the K2v, or in the K3 and CN lines permit the comparison of two different altitudes: the upper and the lower chromosphere. These results include flocculi on the edge of the supergranules as well as plages. Two main results are obtained: (l)the most likely distance between two neighboring granules is, at the minimum of the solar cycle, of about 2″. 60 for K3 and 2″.45 for CN, and (2) this distance is decreasing with growing solar activity. Title: Photometric catalogue for stars in Selected Areas and other fields inthe RGU-system (X). Photometry of fields in and near to the Milky Way: Anticenter 5, Carina (IC 2581), Centaurus III, Aquila II, Cassiopeia(NGC 7654). Authors: Becker, W.; Fenkart, R. P.; Spaenhauer, A.; Alfaro, E. A.; Kandemir, G.; Karaali, S.; Fang, C.; Garcia-Pelayo, J. M.; Steppe, H.; Topaktas, L. Bibcode: 1984pcss.book.....B Altcode: The tenth volume of the Basle Photometric Catalogues contains the G-magnitudes, as well as the long- (G-R) and short-wave (U-G) colour indices of the stars in five galactic fields. Additionally, data as obtained from the interpretationof the two-colour diagrams are given, i.e.: if the star in question has been identified as a main-sequence star of either population, or asa late-type giant, or if it is blended on the photographic plates of one or more colours. Title: Photospheric and Chromospheric Magnetic Field Structure Authors: Mouradian, Z.; Dumont, S.; Fang, C.; Pecker, J. C.; Banos, G. Bibcode: 1984apoa.conf...63M Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Simultaneous monochromatic and spectral observations of two large loop prominence groups Authors: Cui, L. -S.; Hu, J.; Ji, G. -P.; Ni, X. -B.; Huang, Y. -R.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1984AcApS...4..279C Altcode: 1984AcApS...4..285C Using the solar tower telescope of Nanjing University, the two large loop-prominence groups of Dec. 20, 1982 and Feb. 9, 1983, were observed. H-alha photographs and spectra around the H-alpha and H and K lines were obtained simultaneously. From these data, a line-of-sight velocity distribution which agrees perfectly with the distribution for matter falling freely without viscosity is derived. From the widths of the H-alpha and the K lines, the loop material is found to have a uniform kinetic temperature and a turbulent velocity that increases with height. From the central intensities of the lines a density of n(H) = (1.3-2.6) x 10 to the 10th/cu cm is derived. A possible mechanism of the formation of loop-prominence groups and their relation with flares are discussed. Title: The Solar Tower Telescope of Nanjing University and its Multiple Solar Spectrograph Authors: Fang, C.; Huang, Y. R. Bibcode: 1983AcASn..24..189F Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Self-consistent models of flare heated solar chromospheres Authors: Fang, C.; Henoux, J. C. Bibcode: 1983A&A...118..139F Altcode: For the first time self consistent models of an X-ray irradiated flaring chromosphere have been derived, together with a model of an electron heated chromosphere. The atmospheric radiation losses have been computed by including Lα, Lβ, LyC, Hα, Mg II and Ca II and H- emission. The hydrogen radiation losses were computed using complete linearization of the transfer, energy balance and hydrostatic equilibrium equations coupled with the statistical equilibrium equations. This method permits a substantial increase in the accuracy of the radiation loss estimate without requiring excessive computing time. Title: RGU three colour photometry of a field in Centaurus Authors: Spaenhauer, A.; Fang, C. Bibcode: 1982A&AS...47..441S Altcode: RGU system measurements are presented for 2425 stars in a field in Centaurus, to the limiting magnitudes of 16.6 m, 15.2 m, and 19.0 m for G, R and U, respectively. Density functions of main sequence stars for different intervals of absolute magnitudes, and of late type giants, are derived on the basis of statistical photometric parallaxes. In addition, the relation color excess E(G-R) versus distance is established up to 2 kpc, along with the luminosity function for different intervals of distance. Title: Short description of new catalogues available. Authors: Warren, W. H., Jr.; Becker, W.; Svolopoulos, S. N.; Fang, C.; Fenkart, R.; Schaltenbrand, R.; Wagner, R.; Yilmaz, F.; Fünfschilling, H.; Svolopoulos, N.; Topaktas, L.; Wooden, W.; Jaschek, M.; Buscombe, W.; Evans, D. S.; Eichendorf, W.; Reinhardt, M. Bibcode: 1978BICDS..15..116W Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Photometric Catalogue for stars in selected areas and other fields in the RGU-system (III). Milky Way fields: Perseus_I, NGC_1664, M37_I, M37_II, NGC_6067, Sagittarius_I. Authors: Becker, W.; Fenkart, R.; Fang, C.; Fünfschilling, H.; Svolopoulos, N.; Topaktas, L.; Wooden, W.; Yilmaz, F. Bibcode: 1977pcss.book.....B Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: Eclipse Comet Search of 7 March 1970 Authors: Bonner, George P.; Fang, C.; Kovar, N. S.; Kovar, R. P. Bibcode: 1970BAAS....2T.297B Altcode: No abstract at ADS Title: The estimates of the galactic clusters NGC 1664 and NGC 1605. Authors: Fang, C. Bibcode: 1970A&A.....4...75F Altcode: The distances of the two galactic clusters NGC 1664 and NGC 1604 are determined with the method of three-color photometry. The distances are found to be 1240 and 2650 po, respectively. Key words: star cluster - galactic