TY - JOUR
T1 - Evidence for the Flare Trigger Site and Three-Dimensional Reconnection in Multiwavelength Observations of a Solar Flare
AU - Metcalf, Thomas
AU - Fletcher, Lyndsay
AU - Brown, Daniel
AU - Alexander, David
AU - Ryder, L.
N1 - Fletcher, L., Metcalf, T.R., Alexander, D., Brown, D.S. and Ryder, L.A., 2001, Evidence for the flare trigger site and 3D reconnection in multi-wavelength observations of a solar flare, Astrophysical Journal, 554, 451-463.
PY - 2001/6/10
Y1 - 2001/6/10
N2 - Based on a multiwavelength data set and a topological model for the magnetic field, we argue that a M1.9 flare which occurred on 1993 May shows evidence of three-dimensional coronal reconnection in a spine-fan configuration. Images from the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer allow the detailed examination of the structures involved in the flare and preflare in the 171 Å (1 MK) EUV passband and the Lyα (10,000–20,000 K) passband. Yohkoh Hard X-ray Telescope maps the position of nonthermal electron precipitation and the Soft X-ray Telescope reveals preflare and flare heating on large and small scales. While the flare appears to be driven by changes in small-scale field close to the photosphere, near the interface between strong opposite magnetic polarities, the result is the disruption of large-scale field. We demonstrate how this observed activity on large and small scales, along with many other aspects of the flare, suggests a qualitative explanation in the three-dimensional reconfiguration of coronal magnetic field, following a small-scale flux cancellation at the photosphere.
AB - Based on a multiwavelength data set and a topological model for the magnetic field, we argue that a M1.9 flare which occurred on 1993 May shows evidence of three-dimensional coronal reconnection in a spine-fan configuration. Images from the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer allow the detailed examination of the structures involved in the flare and preflare in the 171 Å (1 MK) EUV passband and the Lyα (10,000–20,000 K) passband. Yohkoh Hard X-ray Telescope maps the position of nonthermal electron precipitation and the Soft X-ray Telescope reveals preflare and flare heating on large and small scales. While the flare appears to be driven by changes in small-scale field close to the photosphere, near the interface between strong opposite magnetic polarities, the result is the disruption of large-scale field. We demonstrate how this observed activity on large and small scales, along with many other aspects of the flare, suggests a qualitative explanation in the three-dimensional reconfiguration of coronal magnetic field, following a small-scale flux cancellation at the photosphere.
M3 - Article
SN - 0004-637X
VL - 554
SP - 451
EP - 463
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
ER -