Coronal Dimming Observed with Hinode: Outflows Related to a Coronal Mass Ejection

Abstract

Coronal dimming has been a signature used to determine the source of plasma that forms part of a coronal mass ejection (CME) for many years. Generally dimming is detected through imaging instruments such as SOHO EIT by taking difference images. Hinode tracked active region 10930 from which there were a series of flares. We combined dimming observations from EIT with Hinode data to show the impact of flares and coronal mass ejections on the region surrounding the flaring active region, and we discuss evidence that the eruption resulted in a prolonged steady outflow of material from the corona. The dimming region shows clear structure with extended loops whose footpoints are the source of the strongest outflow ($$\approx$$ 40 km s$$^{-1}$$). This confirms that the loops that are disrupted during the event do lose plasma and hence are likely to form part of the CME. This is the first time the velocity of the coronal plasma has been measured in an extended dimming region away from the flare core. In addition there was a weaker steady outflow from extended, faint loops outside the active region before the eruption, which is also long lasting. These were disturbed and the velocity increased following the flare. Such outflows could be the source of the slow solar wind.