MAX MILLENNIUM COORDINATED OBSERVING PLAN 003
SOHO JOINT OBSERVING PLAN 153

Scientific Goals  |  Ground Based Observatories  | Space Based Observatories  | Target | Scheduling Considerations


TITLE: REGION LIKELY TO PRODUCE MAJOR FLARES 
AUTHOR:  Richard Canfield (canfield@mithra.physics.montana.edu) Montana State University
William Marquette (whm25@cox.net) Helio Research
VERSION: Version 1: 15 February 2001 
SUMMARY: This plan describes context and flare observations from ground-based and space-based instruments and observatories appropriate to solar active regions that are likely to produce major solar flares. It describes the circumstances under which the Max Millennium Chief Observer will declare a Major Flare Watch.
  • Goal: To obtain multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopic observations before, during and after the largest solar flares, which will be the source of the most valuable and unique gamma-ray spectra and images from HESSI.  
  • Approach: In a manner appropriate to each instrument, observatory, and spacecraft, to observe, if at all possible, the active region identified in Major Flare Watch message from the Max Millennium Chief Observer at BBSO distributed to the Max Millennium Message of the Day list. 

  • SCIENTIFIC GOALS

    The scientific goal of this program is to understand energy release, particle acceleration, and particle and energy transport in the largest flares, which afford unique opportunities for observations of gamma-ray lines. Key questions are: Co-temporal data from ground and space-based observatories are crucial to answering these questions.

    GROUND BASED OBSERVATORIES

    SPACE BASED OBSERVATORIES


    TARGET

    The MM Chief Observer at BBSO will choose regions for this observing program when any of the following criteria are met:
    1. A major flare has occured (if a region produced one big flare, it will probably produce at least one more).
    2. Large island delta - opposite polarity umbrae within 2 heliographic degrees within a common penumbra (delta configuration) and, in addition, the delta surrounded by opposite polarity flux - even better if the region is reversed polarity. Bright H-alpha will be present.
    3. Large delta configuration with bright H-alpha plage and better still if reversed polarity. Bright H-alpha along the neutral line is needed.
    4. Elongated umbrae in pairs of opposite polarity even if the umbrae are not a delta configuration. Transverse magnetograms will reveal strong shear.
    5. EFR coming up within an existing active region if the leader spots of the EFR are adjacent to the existing region's trailing spots or vice-versa.
    6. Rapidly moving sunspots - sunspot(s) moving towards and/or into an opposite polarity spot.


    SCHEDULING

    This is a target-of-opportunity plan. It will be called only when there is a region on the disk or the limb that is likely to produce a major flare, according to the criteria above.