Decay of the coronal magnetic field can release sufficient energy to power a solar flare
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-17-2020
Abstract
Solar flares are powered by a rapid release of energy in the solar corona, thought to be produced by the decay of the coronal magnetic field strength. Direct quantitative measurements of the evolving magnetic field strength are required to test this. We report microwave observations of a solar flare, showing spatial and temporal changes in the coronal magnetic field. The field decays at a rate of ~5 Gauss per second for 2 minutes, as measured within a flare subvolume of ~1028 cubic centimeters. This fast rate of decay implies a sufficiently strong electric field to account for the particle acceleration that produces the microwave emission. The decrease in stored magnetic energy is enough to power the solar flare, including the associated eruption, particle acceleration, and plasma heating.
Identifier
85077941415 (Scopus)
Publication Title
Science
External Full Text Location
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aax6874
e-ISSN
10959203
ISSN
00368075
PubMed ID
31949076
First Page
278
Last Page
280
Issue
6475
Volume
367
Grant
1654382
Fund Ref
National Science Foundation
Recommended Citation
Fleishman, Gregory D.; Gary, Dale E.; Chen, Bin; Kuroda, Natsuha; Yu, Sijie; and Nita, Gelu M., "Decay of the coronal magnetic field can release sufficient energy to power a solar flare" (2020). Faculty Publications. 5520.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/fac_pubs/5520
