The triggering and subsequent development of a solar flare

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (53) References (13) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The triggering and subsequent development of a solar flare. Vorpahl, J. A. Abstract A solar flare which occurred on Sept. 5, 1973, is discussed on the basis of high temporal and spatial resolution pictures taken with the Skylab S-056 X-ray telescope. The temporal evolution of the flare is outlined, and magnetic-field data for the active region are compared with the soft X-ray observations. A close similarity between calculated magnetic-field lines and the overall structure of the X-ray core is shown to suggest that the flare occurred in an entire arcade of loops rather than in a single loop. Sequential brightening of different X-ray features is taken as an indication that some triggering disturbance moved from one side to the other in the flare core at velocities of 180 to 280 km/s. The two most intense X-ray features were found in places where the magnetic field composing the arcade had a small radius of curvature with horizontal field gradients higher than the surrounding area and where the axis of the arcade changed direction. It is suggested that a magetosonic wave triggered the energy releases as it propagated down the arcade and steepened the field gradients Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: May 1976 DOI: 10.1086/154343 Bibcode: 1976ApJ...205..868V Keywords: Solar Flares; Solar X-Rays; Time Response; Apollo Telescope Mount; Energy Transfer; Solar Magnetic Field; Solar Physics; Wave Propagation; Solar Physics full text sources ADS |