SHINE: Distinguishing Reconnection Scenarios for Solar Energetic Events

这一提议将通过侧重于触发机制的模型来研究太阳能量事件的起源，包括由磁重联(例如，系绳切割、爆发模型)和由其他机制(例如，扭结不稳定性)引发的触发机制。到目前为止，只有几个事件被深入研究，以研究事件前的日冕特征，太阳喷发的模型也只有少数几个提供了可用来测试模型的观测数据。最终，有了足够的存档观测数据和模型的可检验预测，可以采取严格的统计方法。太阳高能事件的磁拓扑和事件前日冕动力学将通过日冕亮度图和矢量磁图的参数化和矩分析来表征，以避免主观的数据解释。这项调查将利用GOES、SOHO/LASCO、YOHKOH/SXT和SOHO/EIT档案馆的数据，以及夏威夷大学米斯太阳天文台的成像矢量磁强计。提出者的分析将包括安静时间和地区的对照数据集，对照这些数据集来检验零假设。从这些数据得出的变量将接受判别分析，这是一种非常适合这种方法的统计工具。判别分析的能力在于它能够在多变量参数空间中区分已知总体，例如，事件产生数据点和事件平静数据点。组建的研究小组非常适合在太阳磁场、等离子体和高能事件的背景下进行数据采集、分析和解释。即使不能确定启动高能事件的具体模型，也应该有可能对涉及的过程施加限制。这项研究的结果将有助于定义和发展即将到来的由美国国家科学基金会支持和合作的项目，包括在其科学目标中包括对太阳高能事件的理解的无数地面和空间努力。通过利用来自长期观测计划的存档数据，该项目将有助于集中研究未来调查的科学方法和目标。

This proposal will investigate the origins of solar energetic events by focusing on models of the trigger mechanisms, including those initiated by magnetic reconnection (e.g., tether cutting, breakout models) and by other mechanisms (e.g., the kink instability). Until now, only a few events have been studied in depth to investigate pre-event coronal signatures, and models of solar eruptions have only sparsely provided observables by which to test models. There are finally sufficient archived observational data and testable predictions from models that a rigorous statistical approach can be taken. The magnetic topology and pre-event coronal dynamics of solar energetic events will be characterized by parameterizations and moment analysis of coronal brightness maps and vector magnetograms, in order to avoid subjective data interpretation. This investigation will make use of data from the GOES, SoHO/LASCO, Yohkoh/SXT, and SoHO/EIT archives, as well as the Imaging Vector Magnetograph at the University of Hawaii's Mees Solar Observatory. The proposers' analysis will include control data sets for quiet times and regions, against which to test the null hypothesis. The variables derived from these data will be subjected to Discriminant Analysis, a statistical tool well suited for this approach. The power of Discriminant Analysis lies in its ability to differentiate between known populations, e.g., event-producing vs. event-quiet data points, in a multiple-variable parameter space. The assembled research team is well suited for the tasks of data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation in the context of the solar magnetic fields, plasma, and energetic events. Even if a specific model for the initiation of energetic events cannot be identified, it should be possible to put constraints on the processes involved.The results of this study will aid in the definition and development of upcoming NSF-supported and collaborative projects, including the myriad ground-based and space-based efforts that include in their science goals the understanding of solar energetic events. By taking advantage of the archived data from long-running observational programs, this project will help focus the scientific approach and goals of future investigations.