Observations of Reconnection Flows in a Flare on the Solar Disk

Juntao Wang, P. J.A. Simões, N. L.S. Jeffrey, L. Fletcher, P. J. Wright, I. G. Hannah

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)
23 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection is a well-accepted part of the theory of solar eruptive events, though the evidence is still circumstantial. Intrinsic to the reconnection picture of a solar eruptive event, particularly in the standard model for two-ribbon flares (CSHKP model), are an advective flow of magnetized plasma into the reconnection region, expansion of field above the reconnection region as a flux rope erupts, retraction of heated post-reconnection loops, and downflows of cooling plasma along those loops. We report on a unique set of Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly imaging and Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer spectroscopic observations of the disk flare SOL2016-03-23T03:54 in which all four flows are present simultaneously. This includes spectroscopic evidence for a plasma upflow in association with large-scale expanding closed inflow field. The reconnection inflows are symmetric, and consistent with fast reconnection, and the post-reconnection loops show a clear cooling and deceleration as they retract. Observations of coronal reconnection flows are still rare, and most events are observed at the solar limb, obscured by complex foregrounds, making their relationship to the flare ribbons, cusp field, and arcades formed in the lower atmosphere difficult to interpret. The disk location and favorable perspective of this event have removed these ambiguities giving a clear picture of the reconnection dynamics.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberL1
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume847
Issue number1
Early online date13 Sept 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Sept 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • solar wind
  • Sun: corona
  • Sun: coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
  • Sun: filaments, prominences
  • Sun: flares
  • Sun: UV radiation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Observations of Reconnection Flows in a Flare on the Solar Disk'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this