Particle acceleration by a solar flare termination shock

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-4-2015

Abstract

Solar flares-the most powerful explosions in the solar system-are also efficient particle accelerators, capable of energizing a large number of charged particles to relativistic speeds. A termination shock is often invoked in the standard model of solar flares as a possible driver for particle acceleration, yet its existence and role have remained controversial. We present observations of a solar flare termination shock and trace its morphology and dynamics using high-cadence radio imaging spectroscopy.We show that a disruption of the shock coincides with an abrupt reduction of the energetic electron population. The observed properties of the shock are well reproduced by simulations. These results strongly suggest that a termination shock is responsible, at least in part, for accelerating energetic electrons in solar flares.

Identifier

84948979044 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Science

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aac8467

e-ISSN

10959203

ISSN

00368075

First Page

1238

Last Page

1242

Issue

6265

Volume

350

Grant

1358342

Fund Ref

National Science Foundation

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS