Evolutionary stages and triggering process of a complex eruptive flare with circular and parallel ribbons

Abstract

We report multi-wavelength study of a complex M-class solar eruptive flare that consists of three different sets of flare ribbons, viz. circular, parallel, and remote ribbons. Magnetic field modeling of source active region NOAA 12242 exhibits the presence of 3D null-point magnetic topology which encompasses an inner bipolar region. The event initiates with the faint signatures of the circular ribbon along with remote brightening right from the pre-flare phase which points toward the ongoing slow yet persistent null-point reconnection. We first detected flux cancellation and an associated brightening, which are likely signatures of tether-cutting reconnection that builds the flux rope near the polarity inversion line (PIL) of the inner bipolar region. In the next stage, with the onset of M8.7 flare, there is a substantial enhancement in the brightening of circular ribbon which essentially suggests an increase in the rate of ongoing null-point reconnection. Finally, the eruption of underlying flux rope triggers ``standard flare reconnection" beneath it producing an abrupt rise in the intensity of the parallel ribbons as well as enhancing the rate of null-point reconnection by external forcing. We show that within the the fan dome, the region with magnetic decay index n>1.5 borders the null-point QSL. Our analysis suggests that both the torus instability and the breakout model have played role toward the triggering mechanism for the eruptive flare. This event is a nice example of the dynamical evolution of a flux rope initially confined in a null-point topology, that subsequently activates and erupts with the progression of the circular -- cum -- parallel ribbon flare.