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A phenomenological model of solar flaresThe energy of solar flares is derived from the magnetic energy of fields convected to the sun's surface and subsequently converted to heat and energetic particles within the chromosphere. The circumstances of this conversion in most current models is magnetic flux annihilation at a neutral sheet. An analysis is conducted of the constraints of flux annihilation. It is shown that the present evidence of solar cosmic rays, X-rays, gamma-rays, and total energy suggests a choice of annihilation not at a neutral point, but by an enhanced dissipation of a field-aligned current. The field configuration is related both to its origin and to the extensive theory and laboratory experiments concerned with this configuration in magnetic fusion. The magnetic field model is applied to the August 4 flare. It is shown how the plasma heating in the annihilation region balanced by thermal conduction leads to a plasma temperature of about 20 million deg K.
Document ID
19780050056
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Colgate, S. A.
(New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro; California, University Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, N. Mex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1978
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Accession Number
78A33965
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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