X-Ray Observations of Motions and Structure above a Solar Flare Arcade

Details X-Ray Observations of Motions and Structure above a Solar Flare Arcade X-Ray Observations of Motions and Structure above a Solar Flare Arcade

Jul 1999

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999apj...519l..93m&link_type=abstract

The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 519, Issue 1, pp. L93-L96.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

135

Sun: Flares, Sun: Magnetic Fields

Scientific paper

In this Letter, we describe a solar flare that was observed by Yohkoh in 1999 January 20. This long-duration event is notable because the Yohkoh images show not only the formation of the arcade associated with the coronal mass ejection but also a considerable amount of motion above the arcade in the region normally identified with a large-scale current sheet or the outflow from magnetic reconnection in the current sheet. A number of arcade events of this morphological type (i.e., a fan of spikelike ``rays'' above the posteruption loops) have been seen by Yohkoh, but in this case we have a much clearer view of mass motions in the region above the arcade. The motions indicate field-line retraction without the formation of long-lasting cusps during the rise phase of the flare, and a downward flow above the arcade during the decay phase. The late-phase downward motion is in the form of X-ray dark voids moving at 100-200 km s^-1, i.e., at velocities much smaller than the free-fall speed or the assumed Alfvén speed. We interpret the voids as cross sections of evacuated flux tubes resulting from intermittent reconnection following the associated coronal mass ejection. We believe these data represent the first direct evidence of high-speed flows in the region immediately above the flare loops.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

X-Ray Observations of Motions and Structure above a Solar Flare Arcade does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with X-Ray Observations of Motions and Structure above a Solar Flare Arcade, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and X-Ray Observations of Motions and Structure above a Solar Flare Arcade will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1619764