Anisotropic Turbulent Flows Observed in Above-the-loop-top Regions during Solar Flares

Xie, Xiaoyan; Shen, Chengcai; Reeves, Katharine K.; Chen, Bin; Li, Xiaocan; Guo, Fan; Yu, Sijie; Wei, Yuqian; Dong, Chuanfei

doi:10.3847/2041-8213/adc91b

Title: Anisotropic Turbulent Flows Observed in Above-the-loop-top Regions during Solar Flares

Journal Article · Fri Apr 25 00:00:00 UTC 2025 · The Astrophysical Journal. Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/adc91b · OSTI ID:2562985

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Abstract Solar flare above-the-loop-top (ALT) regions are vital for understanding solar eruptions and fundamental processes in plasma physics. Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations have revealed unprecedented details on turbulent flows and MHD instabilities in flare ALT regions. Here, for the first time, we examine the observable anisotropic properties of turbulent flows in ALT by applying a flow-tracking algorithm on narrow-band extreme-ultraviolet images that are observed from the face-on viewing perspective. First, the results quantitatively confirm the previous observation that vertical motions dominate and that the anisotropic flows are widely distributed in the entire ALT region with the contribution from both upflows and downflows. Second, the anisotropy shows height-dependent features, with the most substantial anisotropy appearing at a certain middle height in ALT, which agrees well with the MHD modeling results where turbulent flows are caused by Rayleigh–Taylor-type instabilities in the ALT region. Finally, our finding suggests that supra-arcade downflows (SADs), the most prominently visible dynamical structures in ALT regions, are only one aspect of turbulent flows. Among these turbulent flows, we also report the antisunward-moving underdense flows that might develop due to MHD instabilities, as suggested by previous 3D flare models. Our results indicate that the entire flare fan displays group behavior of turbulent flows where the observational bright spikes and relatively dark SADs exhibit similar anisotropic characteristics.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0024639

OSTI ID:: 2562985

Journal Information:: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters, Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal. Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 984; ISSN 2041-8205

Publisher:: American Astronomical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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