HINODE Observations of Coherent Lateral Motion of Penumbral Filaments During an X-Class Flare

Abstract

The X-3.4 class flare of 2006 December 13 was observed with a high cadence of 2 minutes at 0.2 arcsec resolution by HINODE/SOT FG instrument. The flare ribbons could be seen in G-band images also. A careful analysis of these observations after proper registration of images shows flare-related changes in penumbral filaments of the associated sunspot for the first time. The observations of sunspot deformation, decay of penumbral area, and changes in magnetic flux during large flares have been reported earlier in the literature. In this Letter, we report lateral motion of the penumbral filaments in a sheared region of the δ-sunspot during the X-class flare. Such shifts have not been seen earlier. The lateral motion occurs in two phases: (1) motion before the flare ribbons move across the penumbral filaments and (2) motion afterward. The former motion is directed away from expanding flare ribbons and lasts for about 4 minutes. The latter motion is directed in the opposite direction and lasts for more than 40 minutes. Further, we locate a patch in adjacent opposite polarity spot moving in opposite direction to the penumbral filaments. Together these patches represent conjugate footpoints on either side of the polarity inversion line, moving toward each other. This converging motion could be interpreted as shrinkage of field lines.