Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2012-02-08
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Accepted to ApJ Letters
Scientific paper
Observations of extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) emission from an X-class solar flare that occurred on 2011 February 15 at 01:44 UT are presented, obtained using the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The complete EVE spectral range covers the free-bound continua of H I (Lyman continuum), He I, and He II, with recombination edges at 91.2, 50.4, and 22.8 nm, respectively. By fitting the wavelength ranges blue-ward of each recombination edge with an exponential function, lightcurves of each of the integrated continua were generated over the course of the flare, as well as emission from the free-free continuum (6.5-37 nm). The He II 30.4 nm and Lyman-alpha 121.6 nm lines, and soft X-ray (0.1-0.8 nm) emission from GOES are also included for comparison. Each free-bound continuum was found to have a rapid rise phase at the flare onset similar to that seen in the 25-50 keV lightcurves from RHESSI, suggesting that they were formed by recombination with free electrons in the chromosphere. However, the free-free emission exhibited a slower rise phase seen also in the soft X-ray emission from GOES, implying a predominantly coronal origin. By integrating over the entire flare the total energy emitted via each process was determined. We find that the flare energy in the EVE spectral range amounts to at most a few per cent of the total flare energy, but EVE gives us a first comprehensive look at these diagnostically important continuum components.
Chamberlin Phillip C.
Fletcher Lyndsay
Hudson Hugh S.
Keenan Francis P.
Kowalski Adam F.
No associations
LandOfFree
Observations of Enhanced EUV Continua During An X-Class Solar Flare Using SDO/EVE 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 Observations of Enhanced EUV Continua During An X-Class Solar Flare Using SDO/EVE, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observations of Enhanced EUV Continua During An X-Class Solar Flare Using SDO/EVE will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-64934