Characterization of Intensity Variations Along Fe XIV Coronal Loops - A Case Study

Abstract

We discuss a method, and corresponding results, to analyze the dynamics of localized small-scale coronal (post-flare) loops observed with the MICA (Mirror Coronagraph for Argentina) telescope in the well-known green coronal line at 530.3 nm. In particular, we designed a procedure to measure intensity variations along the structure of a loop, both in space and time. The method was applied to a loop on the southwest limb on green-line images taken on October 1st, 2001 with a cadence of about one per minute. Significant coronal variability was detected in a compact loop system suggesting different types of plasma flow. One of them shows a brightening at the top, which moves down along the axis of the loop with mean velocities that suggest scenarios of high-speed plasma flows. The results obtained allow the flow inside coronal structures to be characterized and theoretical descriptions related to different physical scenarios to be compared.