An observational overview of solar flares

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2011

Abstract

We present an overview of solar flares and associated phenomena, drawing upon a wide range of observational data primarily from the RHESSI era. Following an introductory discussion and overview of the status of observational capabilities, the article is split into topical sections which deal with different areas of flare phenomena (footpoints and ribbons, coronal sources, relationship to coronal mass ejections) and their interconnections. We also discuss flare soft X-ray spectroscopy and the energetics of the process. The emphasis is to describe the observations from multiple points of view, while bearing in mind the models that link them to each other and to theory. The present theoretical and observational understanding of solar flares is far from complete, so we conclude with a brief discussion of models, and a list of missing but important observations. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Identifier

80053995664 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Space Science Reviews

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-010-9701-8

e-ISSN

15729672

ISSN

00386308

First Page

19

Last Page

106

Issue

1-4

Volume

159

Grant

ST/I001808/1

Fund Ref

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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