Fast prograde coronal flows in solar active regions

Abstract

ABSTRACT We report the discovery and characterization of high-speed (>100 km s−1) horizontal flows in solar active regions, making use of the Sun-as-a-star spectroscopy in the range 5–105 nm provided by the EVE (Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment) spectrometers on the Solar Dynamics Observatory. These apparent flows are persistent on time-scales of days, and are well observed in lines of Mg x, Si xii, and Fe xvi for example. They are prograde, as evidenced directly by blueshifts/redshifts peaking at the east/west limb passages of isolated active regions. The high-speed flow behaviour does not depend upon active-region latitude or solar cycle, with similar behaviour in Cycles 24 and 25.