Properties of an impulsive compact solar flare determined from Solar Maximum Mission X-ray measurements

1988 ◽  
Vol 331 ◽  
pp. 1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Linford ◽  
C. J. Wolfson

Solar flare spectra in the ultraviolet and X-ray wavelength regions are rich in emission lines from highly ionized ions, formed at temperatures around 10 7 K. These lines can be used as valuable diagnostics for probing the physical conditions in solar flares. Such analyses require accurate atomic data for excitation, ionization and recombination processes. In this paper, we present a review of work which has already been carried out, in particular for the Solar Maximum Mission observations, and we look to future requirements for Solar-A .


X -ray and ultraviolet observations of flares have provided much important information on their spatial structure and magnetic topology. The early observations from Skylab emphasized the role of simple loops and loop arcades, but later observations from the Solar Maximum Mission have greatly complicated this picture. Flares appear in a multitude of loops with complex spatial and temporal interrelations. In many cases, interactions between different loops appear to play a crucial role. The inferred magnetic topology of solar flares will be reviewed with emphasis on the implications for processes of energy release and transfer. It will be shown that the spatial resolution of the observations obtained so far is still inadequate for solving many basic questions of solar flare research.


1982 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 774 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. H. Phillips ◽  
B. C. Fawcett ◽  
B. J. Kent ◽  
A. H. Gabriel ◽  
J. W. Leibacher ◽  
...  

During the period of the 1980 solar maximum three space missions (P78-1, Solar Maximum Mission and Hinotori ) carried out extensive studies of solar flares. In their different ways all of these missions contributed significant new information to our understanding of the solar flare phenomenon. In this volume the contribution made by these three spacecraft to the study of the energy release and the related creation of high-tem perature plasma, the transport of energy from the primary release site, the production of gamma-rays at energies up to 10 MeV and the ejection of solar matter into interplanetary space are reviewed.


The solar flare is discussed in terms of its three phases: energy storage, energy release, and dissipation. Some of the problems associated with theoretical modelling are considered, together with the limitations imposed by current observations. New measurements to be made by the N.A.S.A. Solar Maximum Mission satellite are expected to advance significantly our understanding of the flare mechanism.


1984 ◽  
Vol 86 ◽  
pp. 92-99
Author(s):  
A.K. Bhatia

During the last few years, observations of solar phenomena have been carried out by rocket flights, manned satellites like Skylab, unmanned satellites like Orbiting Solar Observatories and more recently Solar Maximum Mission. The wavelengths, line intensities and line profiles in UV and X-ray regions of the solar spectra have been measured. The spectroscopic data obtained are of high spatial and spectral resolution. The goal is to understand the physical properties of the emitting plasma and determine the electron temperatures, densities and volume of the emitting plasma from UV and X-ray spectra.


1981 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H. Gabriel ◽  
E. Antonucci ◽  
K.J.H. Phillips ◽  
J.L. Culhane ◽  
R.D. Bentley ◽  
...  

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