The Astrophysical Journal · 1978 · 224 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesAstronomyPhysicsAstrophysicsPlasma PhysicsSolar AstronomyAstrophysical PlasmasHigh-temperature PlasmasMagnetized PlasmaSolar Active RegionsSolar CoronaSolar FlaresCoronal FlareCoronal Plasma DynamicsFlare Energy Release MechanismsFlare HeatingHelium IsotopesSolar Corona HeatingSolar Corona PhysicsSolar Plasma Physics
The study proposes a plasma mechanism to explain the dramatic He‑3 enhancements observed in He‑3‑rich solar flares. The mechanism relies on preferential heating of He‑3⁺ ions in a corona enriched in He‑4 and heavy elements, potentially also heating iron ions. A common coronal current instability preferentially heats He‑3⁺ over other ions, providing an explanation for the observed correlation between He‑3 and heavy‑ion enhancements. Published in The Astrophysical Journal, September 1978 (DOI 10.1086/156456).
view Abstract Citations (215) References (20) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS 3He-rich flares: a possible explanation. Fisk, L. A. Abstract A plasma mechanism is proposed to explain the dramatic enhancements in He-3 observed in He-3-rich flares. It is shown that a common current instability in the corona may heat ambient He-3(2+) over any other ion and thus may preferentially inject He-3 into the flare acceleration process. This mechanism operates when the abundance of He-4 and heavier elements is larger than normal in the coronal plasma. It may also preferentially heat and thus inject certain ions of iron. The mechanism thus provides a possible explanation for the observed correlation between He-3 and heavy enhancements in He-3-rich flares. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1978 DOI: 10.1086/156456 Bibcode: 1978ApJ...224.1048F Keywords: Cosmic Rays; Helium Isotopes; Solar Corona; Solar Flares; Abundance; Drift Rate; Ion Injection; Iron; Magnetohydrodynamics; Solar Physics; Plasma:Solar Corona; Plasma:Solar Flares full text sources ADS |