ContextResults. The magnetic field is found to be globally horizontal with a relatively weak field strength (8-15 Gauss). On the other hand, the Ca II movie reveals turbulent-like motion that is not organized in specific parts of the prominence. We tested the addition of a turbulent magnetic component. This model is compatible with the polarimetric observations at those places where the plasma turbulence peaks. On the other hand, the Mg II line profiles show multiple peaks well separated in wavelength. This is interpreted by the existence of small threads along the line of sight with a large dispersion of discrete values of Doppler shifts, from 5 km s −1 (a quasi-steady component) to 60-80 km s −1 . Each peak corresponds to a Gaussian profile, and not to a reversed profile as was expected by the present non-LTE radiative transfer modeling. This is a very surprising behavior for the Mg II line observed in prominences. Conclusions. Turbulent fields on top of the macroscopic horizontal component of the magnetic field supporting the prominence give rise to the complex dynamics of the plasma. The plasma with the high velocities (70 km s −1 to 100 km s −1 if we take into account the transverse velocities) may correspond to condensation of plasma along more or less horizontal threads of the arch-shape structure visible in 304 Å. The steady flows (5 km s −1 ) would correspond to a more quiescent plasma (cool and prominence-corona transition region) of the prominence packed into dips in horizontal magnetic field lines. The very weak secondary peaks in the Mg II profiles may reflect the turbulent nature of parts of the prominence.

Context. Even if Ellerman bombs have been observed in the Hα line within emerging magnetic flux regions since the early 20th century, their origin and the mechanisms that lead to their formation have been strongly debated. Recently, new arguments in favor of chromospheric magnetic reconnection have been advanced. Ellerman bombs seem to be the signature of reconnections that take place during the emergence of the magnetic field. Aims. We have observed an active region presenting emergence of magnetic flux. We detected and studied Ellerman bombs in two chromospheric lines: Ca ii 8542 Å and Hα. We investigated the link between Ellerman bombs and other structures and phenomena appearing in an emerging active region: UV bright points, arch filament systems, and magnetic topology. Methods. On August 3, 2004, we performed multi-wavelength observations of the active region NOAA 10655. This active region was the target of SoHO Joint Observation Program 157. Both SoHO/MDI and TRACE (195 Å and 1600 Å) were used. Simultaneously, we observed in the Ca ii and Na D1 lines with the spectro-imager MSDP mode of THEMIS. Alternately to the MSDP, we used the MTR spectropolarimeter on THEMIS to observe in Hα and in the Fe i doublet at 6302 Å. We derived the magnetic field vectors around some Ellerman bombs.Results. We present the first images of EBs in the Ca ii line and confirm that Ellerman bombs can indeed be observed in the Ca ii line, presenting the same "moustache" geometry profiles as in the Hα line, but with a narrower central absorption in the Ca ii line, in which the peaks of emission are around ±0.35 Å. We noticed that the Ellerman bombs observed in the wings of Ca ii line have an elongated shape -the length about 50% greater than the width. We derived mean semi-axis lengths of 1.4 × 2.0 . In the UV time profiles of the Ellerman bombs, we noticed successive enhanced emissions. The distribution of lifetimes of these individual impulses presents a strong mode around 210 s. Study of the magnetic topology shows that 9 out of the 13 EBs are located on the inversion line of the longitudinal field and that some typical examples might be associated with a bald patch topology. Conclusions. We provide new arguments in favor of the reconnection origin of Ellerman bombs. The different individual impulses observed in UV may be related to a bursty mode of reconnection. We also show that this Ca ii 8542 Å chromospheric line is a good indicator of Ellerman bombs and can bring new information about these phenomena.

This paper is focused on the formation of two filaments in a complex center of decaying active regions (AR 8329 and AR 8326), located in the northern hemisphere. The observations were obtained in Hα by the Multi-channel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph (MSDP mounted on the German telescope VTT in Tenerife) and EUV lines with TRACE (Transition Region And Corona Explorer). High Doppler shifts are found to be related to the ends of filament segments where canceling magnetic fields are also located (as seen on magnetograms from Big Bear Solar Observatory). At these locations, velocities along the line of sight, derived by using a cloud model method reach −20 km s −1 , the segments of filaments merge and frequently a time-related sub-flare is observed by TRACE. The chirality of the filament segments has been determined by different methods: the segments of dextral chirality join together and form a long dextral filament, and a single filament of sinistral chirality forms end to end with the dextral filament but does not merge with it. Assuming a model of twisted flux tube for filament material, we suggest that the dextral filament has negative helicity and a relationship between its formation and the close by sunspot with the same sign of helicity.

Context. Umbral flashes (UFs) and running penumbral (RP) waves are believed to be closely related oscillatory phenomena of sunspots. Aims. We investigate the association of UFs and RP waves to see whether the latter are a visual pattern created by a common source with UFs or a trans-sunspot wave driven by UFs.Methods. Simultaneous, two-dimensional, dual-line observations in Ca ii 8542 Å and Hα 6563 Å, obtained with the Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass (MSDP) spectrograph mounted on the German VTT at Teide Observatory on Tenerife, are used for this study. High-cadence 8 s Doppler velocity images, spectrograms, and spectral-analysis results are used to study the characteristics and the relationship of UFs and RP waves. Results. Several UFs were observed that seem to fill the whole umbra. Doppler velocity variations with time indicate a shock behaviour for UFs, as well as for umbral and RP waves and a smooth continuous propagation of the latter from the umbra through the umbra-penumbra boundary out to the edge of the penumbra. Furthermore, the spectral analysis shows a decreasing oscillatory frequency as we move from the umbra outwards and a jump at the umbra-penumbra boundary that could possibly reflect, apart from a change in physical conditions, a drastic change of the magnetic field inclination with respect to the vertical. Conclusions. The results do not permit us to convincingly support one scenario over the other (i.e. visual pattern vs. trans-sunspot wave) for RP waves; however, they do provide important constraints for future models of sunspot oscillations and RP waves.

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Context. Sunspots exhibit a wide range of oscillatory phenomena within their umbrae and penumbrae. Aims. We investigate the behavior of intensity and Doppler velocity oscillations in the umbra and the penumbra to study sunspot oscillations and their associations.Methods. Simultaneous, high-cadence (8 s), two-dimensional, Ca ii 8542 Å and Hα 6563 Å observations are used. Doppler velocity and intensity variations are studied with a wavelet spectral, phase difference and coherence analysis, both at distinct positions and within the whole umbra and the penumbra. Results. The analysis reveals the presence of several umbral flashes (UFs) that seem to fill the whole umbra. The spectral analysis indicates oscillating elements of size 2.5 to 5 within the umbra with periods around the 3-min band and oscillation periods around the 5-min band within the penumbra. Two remarkable jumps of the oscillation period and the intensity-velocity phase difference are present at both umbra-penumbra and penumbra-superpenumbra boundaries reflecting a drastic change in physical and/or magnetic conditions. The intensity-velocity phase analysis shows a delay of the intensity response to the velocity variations in accordance with the physics of the observed sawtooth velocity behavior. Most of the UFs oscillate incoherently, while the calmest umbral area seems to be associated with velocity spreading from neighboring UFs. The derived incoherency among UFs in conjunction with the existence of coherently oscillating elements within the umbra suggests the presence of umbral areas with slightly different physical and/or magnetic field conditions. Conclusions. The presented analysis provides further important constraints for realistic models and theoretical interpretations describing sunspot oscillations.

Mg II h and k and Hα spectra in a dynamical prominence have been obtained along the slit of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) and with the Meudon Multi-channel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph on 2013 September 24, respectively. Single Mg II line profiles are not much reversed, while at some positions along the IRIS slit the profiles show several discrete peaks that are Doppler-shifted. The intensity of these peaks is generally decreasing with their increasing Doppler shift. We interpret this unusual behavior as being due to the Doppler dimming effect. We discuss the possibility to interpret the unreversed single profiles by using a two-dimensional (2D) model of the entire prominence body with specific radiative boundary conditions. We have performed new 2D isothermal-isobaric modeling of both Hα and Mg II lines and show the ability of such models to account for the line profile variations as observed. However, the Mg II line-center intensities require the model with a temperature increase toward the prominence boundary. We show that even simple one-dimensional (1D) models with a prominence-to-corona transition region (PCTR) fit the observed Mg II and Hα lines quite well, while the isothermal-isobaric models (1D or 2D) are inconsistent with simultaneous observations in the Mg II h and k and Hα lines, meaning that the Hα line provides a strong additional constraint on the modeling. IRIS far-UV detection of the C II lines in this prominence seems to provide a direct constraint on the PCTR part of the model.