Physical Aspects of the Prediction of Solar Flares,
Abstract
The properties of a solar flare depend critically on the preflare magnetic-field configuration and the way that this configuration evolves during the flare process. The flare process often, if not always, involves the eruption of a filament or similar structure, possibly leading to complete ejection from the sun. This eruption will generate an extensive current sheet: reconnection of this sheet contributes to the gradual phase and perhaps also to the impulsive phase. It is proposed that reconnection of a current sheet (pre-existing, or generated by filament eruption) is required for a gamma-ray event or a particle event. A particle event requires also an escape mechanism that could be provided either by a pre-existing open current sheet or by the ejection of the magnetic-field configuration associated with a filament. Following these guidelines, it is possible to propose a classification of flares into seven categories and to propose whether or not each category will lead to the following phenomena: mass ejection, shock wave, gamma-ray emission, and particle event.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA149183
Entities
People
- Peter A. Sturrock
Organizations
- Stanford University