Break up of returning plasma after the 7 June 2011 filament eruption by Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities

Abstract

Context. A prominence eruption on 7 June 2011 produced spectacular curtains of plasma falling through the lower corona. At the solar surface they created an incredible display of extreme ultraviolet brightenings. Aims. To identify and analyze some of the local instabilities which produce structure in the falling plasma. Methods. The structures were investigated using SDO/AIA 171 Å and 193 Å images in which the falling plasma appeared dark against the bright coronal emission. Results. Several instances of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability were investigated. In two cases the Alfvén velocity associated with the dense plasma could be estimated from the separation of the Rayleigh-Taylor fingers. A second type of feature, which has the appearance of self-similar branching horns was discussed. © 2012 ESO.