Observations and interpretation of a low coronal shock wave observed in the EUV by the SDO/AIA

Abstract

Taking advantage of both the high temporal and spatial resolutions of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we studied a limb coronal shock wave and its associated extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wave that occurred on 2010 June 13. Our main findings are: (1) the shock wave appeared clearly only in the channels centered at 193 Å and 211 Å as a dome-like enhancement propagating ahead of its associated semi-spherical coronal mass ejection (CME) bubble; (2) the density compression of the shock is 1.56 according to radio data and the temperature of the shock is around 2.8MK; (3) the shock wave first appeared at 05:38 UT, 2minutes after the associated flare has started and 1 minute after its associated CME bubble appeared; (4) the top of the dome-like shock wave set out from about 1.23 R ̇ and the thickness of the shocked layer is ∼2 × 104km; (5) the speed of the shock wave is consistent with a slight decrease from about 600kms-1 to 550kms-1; and (6) the lateral expansion of the shock wave suggests a constant speed around 400kms-1, which varies at different heights and directions. Our findings support the view that the coronal shock wave is driven by the CME bubble, and the on-limb EUV wave is consistent with a fast wave or at least includes the fast wave component. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.