scholarly journals Hot X-ray onsets of solar flares

2020 ◽  
Vol 501 (1) ◽  
pp. 1273-1281
Author(s):  
Hugh S Hudson ◽  
Paulo J A Simões ◽  
Lyndsay Fletcher ◽  
Laura A Hayes ◽  
Iain G Hannah
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Isothermal Plasma ◽  
Modelling Techniques ◽  
Loop Regions ◽  
Collisional Heating ◽  
Coronal Structures

ABSTRACT The study of the localized plasma conditions before the impulsive phase of a solar flare can help us understand the physical processes that occur leading up to the main flare energy release. Here, we present evidence of a hot X-ray ‘onset’ interval of enhanced isothermal plasma temperatures in the range of 10–15 MK over a period of time prior to the flare’s impulsive phase. This ‘hot onset’ interval occurs during the initial soft X-ray increase and definitely before any detectable hard X-ray emission. The isothermal temperatures, estimated by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite X-ray sensor, and confirmed with data from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager, show no signs of gradual increase, and the ‘hot onset’ phenomenon occurs regardless of flare classification or configuration. In a small sample of four representative flare events, we tentatively identify this early hot onset soft X-ray emission to occur within footpoint and low-lying loop regions, rather than in coronal structures, based on images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. We confirm this via limb occultation of a flaring region. These hot X-ray onsets appear before there is evidence of collisional heating by non-thermal electrons, and hence challenge the standard modelling techniques.

Characteristics of Sunquake Events Observed in Solar Cycle 24

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kosovichev ◽  
Ivan Sharykin
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Solar Dynamics Observatory ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Solar Cycle 24 ◽  
Cycle 24

<p>Helioseismic response to solar flares ("sunquakes") occurs due to localized force or/and momentum impacts observed during the flare impulsive phase in the lower atmosphere. Such impacts may be caused by precipitation of high-energy particles, downward shocks, or magnetic Lorentz force. Understanding the mechanism of sunquakes is a key problem of the flare energy release and transport. Our statistical analysis of M-X class flares observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory during Solar Cycle 24 has shown that contrary to expectations, many relatively weak M-class flares produced strong sunquakes, while for some powerful X-class flares, helioseismic waves were not observed or were weak. The analysis also revealed that there were active regions characterized by the most efficient generation of sunquakes during the solar cycle. We found that the sunquake power correlates with maximal values of the X-ray flux derivative better than with the X-ray class. The sunquake data challenge the current theories of solar flares.</p>

Millimeter, Microwave, Hard X-Ray, and Soft X-Ray Observations of Energetic Electron Populations in Solar Flares

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 599-610
Author(s):  
M. R. Kundu ◽  
S. M. White ◽  
N. Gopalswamy ◽  
J. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
Energetic Electron ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
High Energy ◽  
X Rays ◽  
High Turnover ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Nonthermal Electrons ◽  
Time Profiles ◽  
Wavelength Emission

AbstractWe present comparisons of multiwavelength data for a number of solar flares observed during the major campaign of 1991 June. The different wavelengths are diagnostics of energetic electrons in different energy ranges: soft X-rays are produced by electrons with energies typically below 10 keV, hard X-rays by electrons with energies in the range 10-200 keV, microwaves by electrons in the range 100 keV-1 MeV, and millimeter-wavelength emission by electrons with energies of 0.5 MeV and above. The flares in the 1991 June active period were remarkable in two ways: all have very high turnover frequencies in their microwave spectra, and very soft hard X-ray spectra. The sensitivity of the microwave and millimeter data permit us to study the more energetic (>0.3 MeV) electrons even in small flares, where their high-energy bremsstrahlung is too weak for present detectors. The millimeter data show delays in the onset of emission with respect to the emissions associated with lower energy electrons and differences in time profiles, energy spectral indices incompatible with those implied by the hard X-ray data, and a range of variability of the peak flux in the impulsive phase when compared with the peak hard X-ray flux which is two orders of magnitude larger than the corresponding variability in the peak microwave flux. All these results suggest that the hard X-ray-emitting electrons and those at higher energies which produce millimeter emission must be regarded as separate populations. This has implications for the well-known “number problem” found previously when comparing the numbers of nonthermal electrons required to produce the hard X-ray and radio emissions.Subject headings: Sun: flares — Sun: radio radiation — Sun: X-rays, gamma rays

scholarly journals Hydrodynamic Models of Solar and Stellar Flares

1989 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-298
Author(s):  
Giovanni Peres
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Hydrodynamic Models ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Stellar Flares

AbstractThis paper discusses the hydrodynamic modeling of flaring plasma confined in magnetic loops and its objectives within the broader scope of flare physics. In particular, the Palermo-Harvard model is discussed along with its applications to the detailed fitting of X-ray light curves of solar flares and to the simulation of high-resolution Caxix spectra in the impulsive phase. These two approaches provide complementary constraints on the relevant features of solar flares. The extension to the stellar case, with the fitting of the light curve of an X-ray flare which occurred on Proxima Centauri, demonstrates the feasibility of using this kind of model for stars too. Although the stellar observations do not provide the wealth of details available for the Sun, and, therefore, constrain the model more loosely, there are strong motivations to pursue this line of research: the wider range of physical parameters in stellar flares and the possibility of studying further the solar-stellar connection.

scholarly journals SolpeX: the soft X-ray flare polarimeter–spectrometer for the ISS

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S305) ◽  
pp. 114-120
Author(s):  
Janusz Sylwester ◽  
Stefan Płocieniak ◽  
Jarosław Bakała ◽  
Żaneta Szaforz ◽  
Marek Stȩślicki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
Line Emission ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
Particle Beams ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hot Plasma ◽  
Spectral Imager ◽  
Polarized Bremsstrahlung ◽  
Made In ◽  
Fast Rotating

AbstractWe present the innovative soft X-ray spectro-polarimeter, SolpeX. This instrument consists of three functionally independent blocks. They are to be included into the Russian instrument KORTES, to be mounted onboard the ISS. The three SolpeX units are: a simple pin-hole X-ray spectral imager, a polarimeter, and a fast-rotating drum multiple-flat-crystal Bragg spectrometer. Such a combination of measuring blocks will offer a new opportunity to reliably measure possible X-ray polarization and spectra of solar flares, in particular during the impulsive phase. Polarized Bremsstrahlung and line emission due to the presence of directed particle beams will be detected, and measurements of the velocities of evaporated hot plasma will be made. In this paper we discuss the details of the construction of the SolpeX units. The delivery of KORTES with SolpeX to the ISS is expected to happen in 2017/2018.

scholarly journals Multiwavelength Observations of AB Doradus

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.B. Slee ◽  
N. Erkan ◽  
M. Johnston-Hollitt ◽  
E. Budding
Keyword(s):  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Dispersion ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Full Data ◽  
Multiple Star ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Compact Array

AbstractWe have observed the bright, magnetically active multiple star AB Doradus in a multiwavelength campaign centring around two large facility allocations in November 2006 and January, 2007. Our observations have covered at least three large flares. These flares were observed to produce significant hardening of the X-ray spectra during their very initial stages. We monitored flare-related effects using the Suzaku X-ray satellite and the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at 3.6 and 6 cm. Observations at 11 and 21 cm were also included, but they were compromised by interference. Optical monitoring was also provided by broadband B and V photometry and some high-dispersion spectrograms. From this multiwavelength coverage we find that the observed flare effects can be mainly associated with a large active region near longitude zero. The second major X-ray and microwave flare of Jan 8, 2007 was observed with a favourable geometry that allowed its initial high-energy impulsive phase to be observed in the higher frequency range of Suzaku’s XIS detectors. The fractional circular polarisation (Stokes V/I) was measured in the uv data for the complete runs, for 25 min integrations and, at 4.80 GHz, for 5 min integrations, using the radio data of Nov 21 2006 and Jan 08 2007. Most of the full data sets showed V/I fractions from AB Dor B that were significant at greater than the 3σ level. In several of the 5 min integrations at 4.80 and 8.64 GHz this fraction reached a significance level between 3 and 9σ. Lack of angular resolution prevented identification of these high V/I values with one or other of the two low-mass red-dwarf components of AB Dor B.

scholarly journals HXR photospheric footprints

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S247) ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
J. C. Martínez-Oliveros ◽  
A.-C. Donea ◽  
P. S. Cally
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Neutral Line ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
Coronal Loops ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Constructive Interference ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Hydrodynamic Response ◽  
Relativistic Particles

AbstractWe have analysed the 6 mHz egression power signatures of some accoustically active X-class solar flares. During the impulsive phase these flares produced conspicuous seismic signatures which have kernel-like structures, mostly aligned with the neutral line of the host active region. The kernel-like structures show the effect of constructive interference of the acoustic waves emanating from the complex sources, suggesting motion of the acoustic sources. The co-aligment between the seismic signatures and the hard X-ray emission observed by RHESSI from the footpoints of the coronal loops suggests a direct link between relativistic particles accelerated during the flare and the hydrodynamic response of the photosphere during flares.

On the hard X-ray spatial structure during the impulsive phase of solar flares

Solar Physics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gordon Emslie ◽  
Marcos E. Machado
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
X Ray

scholarly journals Models of Flaring Loops

1989 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-115
Author(s):  
A. Gordon Emslie
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Loop Structure ◽  
Predominant Role ◽  
Release Process ◽  
Flare Loop ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
High Energy Electrons

AbstractWe review the somewhat questionable concept of an isolated flare loop and the various physical mechanisms believed to be responsible, to some degree, for energy transport within the loop structure. Observational evidence suggests a predominant role for high-energy electrons as an energy transport mechanism, and we explore the consequences of such a scenario in some detail, focusing on radiation signatures in the soft X-ray, hard X-ray, and EUV wavebands, as observed by recent satellite observatories. We find that the predictions of flare loop models are in fact in excellent agreement with these observations, reinforcing both the notion of the loop as a fundamental component of solar flares and the belief that electron acceleration is an integral part of the flare energy release process.

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