Multi-wavelength study of coronal waves associated with the CME-flare event of 3 November 2003

¹ Hvar Observatory, Faculty of Geodesy, Kačićeva 26, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia e-mail: bvrsnak@geodet.geof.hr
² Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam, An der Sternwarte 16, 14482 Potsdam, Germany
³ Institute of Physics, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 5, 8010 Graz, Austria
⁴ Department of Physics, University of Athens, 15784 Panepistimiopolis Zografos, Athens, Greece
⁵ Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 25165 Ondřejov, Czech Republic

Received: 1 July 2005
Accepted: 30 September 2005

Abstract

The large flare/CME event that occurred close to the west solar limb on 3 November 2003 launched a large-amplitude large-scale coronal wave that was observed in Hα and Fe xii 195 Å spectral lines, as well as in the soft X-ray and radio wavelength ranges. The wave also excited a complex decimeter-to-hectometer type II radio burst, revealing the formation of coronal shock(s). The back-extrapolation of the motion of coronal wave signatures and the type II burst sources distinctly marks the impulsive phase of the flare (the hard X-ray peak, drifting microwave burst, and the highest type III burst activity), favoring a flare-ignited wave scenario. On the other hand, comparison of the kinematics of the CME expansion with the propagation of the optical wave signatures and type II burst sources shows a severe discrepancy in the CME-driven scenario. However, the CME is quite likely associated with the formation of an upper-coronal shock revealed by the decameter-hectometer type II burst. Finally, some six minutes after the launch of the first coronal wave, another coronal disturbance was launched, exciting an independent (weak) decimeter-meter range type II burst. The back-extrapolation of this radio emission marks the revival of the hard X-ray burst, and since there was no CME counterpart, it was clearly ignited by the new energy release in the flare.