First Soft X-Ray Observations of Global Coronal Waves with the G O E S Solar X-Ray Imager

Abstract

We present the first observations of global coronal waves obtained with the Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI) aboard the GOES-12 satellite. Focusing on six events, the basic morphological and kinematic characteristics of the waves observed in soft X-rays are derived. Taking advantage of SXI's high temporal cadence and comparing the wave signatures with extreme-UV, Hα, and He I data, we prove that both chromospheric and coronal signatures of waves can be created by a single decelerating disturbance, presumably a large-amplitude simple wave or shock. We stress that SXI is a very useful tool for studying coronal waves and other transients because of its high cadence and duty cycle.