Evidence of Separator Reconnection in a Survey of X‐Ray Bright Points

Abstract

X-ray bright points are among the simplest coronal structures hypothesized to be powered by magnetic reconnection. Their magnetic field appears to consist of a simple loop of field lines connecting positive to negative photospheric sources. Quantitative three-dimensional models of reconnection in this geometry are therefore expected to apply directly to X-ray bright points. We assemble a survey from archival Solar and Heliospheric Observatory data of 764 X-ray bright points (EUV Imaging Telescope) along with their associated photospheric magnetic fields (Solar Oscillation Imager/Michelson Doppler Imager). Measurements are made of each quantity relevant to the simple three-dimensional reconnection model. These data support several predictions of a magnetic reconnection model providing further evidence in favor of the hypothesis that magnetic reconnection supplies heating power to the quiet solar corona.