The role of magnetic loops in solar flares

1991 ◽  
Vol 336 (1643) ◽  
pp. 389-400 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flare ◽  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Magnetic Topology ◽  
Solar Maximum Mission ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ultraviolet Observations

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.

Atomic physics calculations relevant to solar flare spectra

1991 ◽  
Vol 336 (1643) ◽  
pp. 471-484 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flare ◽  
Atomic Physics ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Emission Lines ◽  
Atomic Data ◽  
Solar Maximum Mission ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Recombination Processes

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 .

scholarly journals Preface

1991 ◽  
Vol 336 (1643) ◽  
pp. 323-323
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flare ◽  
Energy Release ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Interplanetary Space ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Solar Maximum Mission ◽  
New Information ◽  
Three Space

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.

Solar flare X-ray spectra from the Solar Maximum Mission Flat Crystal Spectrometer

1982 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 774 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. H. Phillips ◽  
B. C. Fawcett ◽  
B. J. Kent ◽  
A. H. Gabriel ◽  
J. W. Leibacher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flare ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Crystal Spectrometer ◽  
Solar Maximum Mission ◽  
X Ray

The Comparison of Helium-Like Ion Emission Line Ratios with Solar X-Ray Spectral Data

1988 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 331-334
Author(s):  
S.M. McCann ◽  
F.P. Keenan
Keyword(s):  
Emission Line ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Impact Excitation ◽  
Electron Impact Excitation ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Solar Maximum Mission ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low Density Limit ◽  
Ion Emission

AbstractElectron impact excitation rates recently calculated by Keenan, McCann and Kingston for transitions in the He-like ions Al XII, Si XIII and S XV are used to derive the electron temperature sensitive emission line ratio G and the density sensitive ratio R in its low density limit (Ro). These ratios are compared with those calculated by other authors and with the values obtained for solar flares using instruments on board the P78-1 and Solar Maximum Mission satellites. In general it is found that our results resolve discrepancies which currently exist between observation and theory, which provides experimental support for the methods and atonic data adopted in the present analysis.

scholarly journals Correlated Observations of Impulsive UV and Hard X-Ray Bursts from the Solar Maximum Mission

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 739-742
Author(s):  
Chung-Chieh Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Plasma Diagnostics ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
Theoretical Interpretation ◽  
Emission Region ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Solar Maximum Mission ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Correlated Observations

In the past decade, impulsive hard X-ray bursts have been extensively observed (cf. Kane et al., 1980). These observations have increased our knowledge of the energy spectrum of the accelerated electrons and their temporal evolution. However, because of the lack of spatial resolution and direct plasma diagnostics, many important questions concerning the nature of the impulsive phase are still left unanswered. Since direct imaging of hard X-rays above 30 keV with high resolution of is still beyond our present technology, we have to use other indirect means to deduce the spatial structure of the hard X-ray source. With the recent launch of the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite, we are able to obtain correlated observations of the flare impulsive phase in hard X-ray and simultaneously in the UV lines of Si IV (1402 Å) and 0 IV (1401 Å). The Si IV/0 IV intensity ratio is density sensitive and therefore provides plasma diagnostics in the emission region. Analysis of the spatially resolved UV observations with the correlated hard X-ray observations allows us to study the spatial structure and physical conditions in the UV and hard X-ray sources (Cheng et al., 1981; 1982; 1984). Descriptions of the various solar instruments on SMM can be found in Solar Physics (vol. 65, pp 5-116). In this paper, I briefly summarize the important observational results and discuss their theoretical interpretation.

Role of non-thermal electrons on the generation of X-ray and EUV lines in solar flares

1988 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjna Bakaya ◽  
R. R. Rausaria ◽  
P. N. Khosa
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
X Ray

scholarly journals Flares on the Sun: Selected Results from SMM

1983 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 289-305
Author(s):  
G.M. Simnett
Keyword(s):  
Solar Flares ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Electromagnetic Spectrum ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Red Dwarfs ◽  
Important Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Flare Stars ◽  
Made In

Observationally the study of solar flares has reached the stage where intensity-time distributions of emission over broad and resolved regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are obtained for spatially resolved parts of the flare. Polarization measurements add an important diagnostic tool in some wavebands but we shall not report on these here. In the optical band good ground based observations have been available for many years, whereas in the UV, soft X-ray and hard X-ray (> 5 keV) bands recent spacecraft have greatly extended the data base. Good high resolution maps are being made in the microwave region with the ground based VIA. We are now at the point where significant progress into understanding the flare problem has been made, and will continue to be made, during the current solar maximum. This coincides with the development of soft X-ray instruments sensitive enough to detect transient and quiescent emission from flare stars, particularly red dwarfs in the solar neighbourhood (e.g. Kahn et al,1979, Haisch et al, 1980) which previously had only been detected in the optical and radio wavebands.

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