Thermal and Nonthermal Phenomena in Solar Flare Loops at 20 cm Wavelength and in X Rays.
Abstract
We present X-ray images from the P78-1 satellite for a long-lasting burst at 20-cm wavelength mapped with the Very Large Array on 19 May 1979 by Velusamy and Kundu (1981). The decimeter wave observations were originally interpreted in terms of two models, one invoking thermal electrons radiating at low harmonics of the gyrofrequency, and the other invoking mildly relativistic electrons emitting gyrosynchrotron radiation. If indeed the 20 cm source is thermal, it should also be visible in soft X rays while if it is nonthermal, the soft X-ray emission should be weak or spatially or temporally distinct from the 20 cm burst. We find that only one of the three 20 cm sources was approximately co-spatial with the soft X-ray source, and that is was only partially thermal. The 20 cm burst is therefore primarily decimeter type IV emission from mildly relativistic electrons of the post-flare phase. The long lifetime ( or approx 2 hr) and smooth temporal variation of the burst belie its nonthermal nature and suggest continuous acclerations as well as long term storage of energetic electrons. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 15, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA138912
Entities
People
- D. L. Mckenzie
- E. J. Schmahl
- M. R. Kundu
- P. B. Landecker
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation