Flare stars and the fast electron hypothesis

An extensive analysis is made of the theory of flare stars based on the fast electron hypothesis, in the light of the latest observational evidence. It is shown that an adequate agreement of theory with the observations obtains regarding the internal regular features in the flare amplitude data inUBV rays, as well as the changes of the colour characteristics of stars during the flares; in the latter case the analysis is made not only in respect of the UV Cet-type stars, but flare stars as well, forming a part of the Orion association. Problems bearing on the negative flare and the screening effect are dealt with. New properties of the light curves of flares are revealed, based on the above theory.Particular emphasis is laid on the X-ray radiation from flare stars. It is shown that the observed spectrum of X-ray radiation of flare stars differs sharply from that of X-ray radiation both of the stellar corona and solar X-ray flares. At the same time, the observed X-ray spectrum of flares is in complete harmony with the previously calculated theoretical spectrum corresponding to nonthermal bremsstrahlung with the energy of monoenergetic fast electrons 1.5 MeV. The durations of X-ray flares should be essentially shorter than that of the optical flares. The very high momentary intensities of the X-ray brightness with the exceedingly small duration at the curve maximum is predicted. It is shown that the gamma-ray bursts recorded so far have no relation whatever to flare stars.     

Solar flare nomenclature

The evolution of solar flare nomenclature is reviewed in the context of the paradigm shift, in progress, from flares to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in solar-terrestrial physics. Emphasis is placed on: the distinction between eruptive (Class II) flares and confined (Class I) flares; and the underlying similarity of eruptive flares inside (two-ribbon flares) and outside (flare-like brightenings accompanying disappearing filaments) of active regions. A list of research questions/problems raised, or brought into focus, by the new paradigm is suggested; in general, these questions bear on the interrelationships and associations of the two classes (or phases) of flares. Terms such as eruptive flare and eruption (defined to encompass both the CME and its associated eruptive flare) may be useful as nominal links between opposing viewpoints in the flares vs CMEs controversy.     

Magnetic fields and flares in the region CMP 20 September 1963

The position of bright knots of 30 flares at their very beginning relative to the high-resolution isogauss maps of the longitudinal component (H ) and maps of the transverse component (H ) of magnetic field are considered for seven days during the passage of the active and large spot group in Sept. 1963 (see Table I and maps on Figures 1–8).The flare bright knots occur simultaneously in regions of opposite magnetic polarity, and the majority of these knots are adjacent to neutral line H = 0, although not coinciding precisely with this line (Figure 9). Lenticular form of flare knots and the motions of bright material of flares is restrained by transversal field H . Also flares are closely associated (83%) with so-called bifurcated regions, where specific crossing of transverse components takes place (Figures 4–5). There is well-expressed (80%) coincidence of flare knots with the strongest (positive or negative) electric currents as determined from the relation j = c/4 rot H. The relation of results obtained to some existing theories of flares is briefly discussed.U.S. Nat. Acad. of Science - U.S.S.R. Acad. Nauk. Exchange Scientist Program; now at CSIRO Division of Physics, Australia.     

The solar-flare infrared continuum

We consider potential sources of infrared (1 to 1 mm) continuum in solar flares. Several mechanisms should produce detectable fluxes: in the 350 window for ground-based observations, impulsive emission will arise in synchrotron radiation from 1–10 MeV electrons, and possibly thermal (free-free) continuum from the source of the white-light flare; the hot flare plasma responsible for soft X-ray emission will also emit detectable fluxes of free-free continuum in the largest flares. At shorter wavelengths the dominant infrared emission will come from the H flare itself. Observations in the infrared wavelengths will help to complete our picture of flare structure in both the impulsive and gradual phases.     

Studies of solar flares using optical,X-ray and radio data

I have studied a number of flares for which good X-ray and optical data were available. An average lag of 5.5 s between hard X-ray (HXR) start and H start, and HXR peak and Ha peak was found for 41 flares for which determination was possible. Allowing for time constants the time lag is zero. The peak H lasts until 5–6 keV soft X-ray (SXR) peak. The level of H intensity is determined by the SXR flux.Multiple spikes in HXR appear to correspond to different occurrences in the flare development. Flares with HXR always have a fast H rise. Several flares were observed in the 3835 band; such emission appears when the 5.1–6.6 keV flux exceeds 5 × 10⁴ ph cm^-2 s^-1 at the Earth. Smaller flares produce no 3835 emission; we conclude that coronal back conduction cannot produce the bright chromospheric network of that wavelength.The nearly simultaneous growth of H emission at distant points means an agent travelling faster than 5 × 10³ km s^-1 is responsible, presumably electrons.In all cases near the limb an elevated Ha source is seen with the same time duration as HXR flux; it is concluded that this H source is almost always an elevated cloud which is excited by the fast electrons. A rough calculation is given. Another calculation of H emission from compressed coronal material shows it to be inadequate.In several cases homologous flares occur within hours with the same X-ray properties.Radio models fit, more or less, with field strengths on the order of 100G. A number of flares are discussed in detail.     

The Hard X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (HXIS)

The HXIS, a joint instrument of the Space Research Laboratory at Utrecht, The Netherlands, and the Department of Space Research of the University of Birmingham, U.K., images the Sun in hard X-rays: Six energy bands in energy range 3.5–30 keV, spatial resolution 8 over Ø 240 and 32 over Ø 624 field of view, and time resolution of 0.5–7 s depending on the mode of operation. By means of a flare flag it alerts all the other SMM instruments when a flare sets in and informs them about the location of the X-ray emission. The experiment should yield information about the position, extension and spectrum of the hard X-ray bursts in flares, their relation to the magnetic field structure and to the quasi-thermal soft X-rays, and about the characteristics and development of type IV electron clouds above flare regions.     

Flares on opposite sides of the star: Observational aspects

The problem of the flare taking place on opposite sides of a star is considered. Such a screened flare, diffused through the star's atmosphere (chromosphere), may also be registered. The theoretical light curve for diffused flare event is derived, which differs strongly from the usual flare light curves. The light curve of diffused flare is characterized first of all by its very slow rise of brightness. This result opens quite a new direction to understand the nature of the so-called slow flares, observed often among the UV Cet-type stars as well as flare stars in aggregates. All slow flares can be interpreted as quite ordinary flares of quite ordinary flare stars — taking place, however, on the opposite sides of the star. The results of interpretation of some slow flare events of YY Gem and three flare stars in Orion are presented. An attempt is made for the determination of actual amplitudes of screened flares taking place on the opposite sides of a star.     

Some comments on the east-west solar flare distribution during the 1976–1985 period

We present the results of an analysis of the east-west asymmetry in the solar flare distribution, observed during the years from 1976 to 1985. We conclude that flare events, all type of H flares, are not uniformly spread in heliolongitude over the solar disc when considering events with heliolongitudes greater than 60°, or even closer to central meridian for certain periods. This lack of homogeneity, however, does not have an influence on the definition of east-west asymmetries. Simple random distribution of flares over the solar disc can not account for the asymmetries found, but they can be explained in terms of the transit of active regions in front of the observer's position. Nonetheless, this is not the case for the distribution of flares equal or more intense than importance 1F observed during 1979.     

A classification of magnetic field configurations associated with solar flares

On the assumption that solar flares are due to instabilities which occur in current sheets in the Sun's atmosphere, one may classify magnetic-field configurations associated with flares into two types. One is characterized by closed current sheets, magnetic-field lines adjacent to these sheets beginning and ending at the Sun's surface. The other is characterized by open current sheets, magnetic-field lines adjacent to these sheets beginning at the Sun's surface but extending out into interplanetary space. Flares associated with open current sheets can produce Type III radio bursts and high-energy-particle events, but flares associated with closed current sheets cannot. The flare of July 6, 1966 apparently consisted of one flare of each type.     

Lyman continuum observations of solar flares

A study is made of Lyman continuum observations of solar flares, using data obtained by the Harvard College Observatory EUV spectroheliometer on the Apollo Telescope Mount. We find that there are two main types of flare regions: an overall mean flare coincident with the H flare region, and transient Lyman continuum kernels which can be identified with the H and X-ray kernels observed by other authors. It is found that the ground level hydrogen population in flares is closer to LTE than in the quiet Sun and active regions, and that the level of Lyman continuum formation is lowered in the atmosphere from a mass column density m 5/sx 10^–6 g cm^–2 in the quiet Sun to m 3/sx 10^–4 g cm^–2 in the mean flare, and to m 10^–3g cm^–2 in kernels. From these results we derive the amount of chromospheric material evaporated into the high temperature region, which is found to be - 10¹⁵g, in agreement with observations of X-ray emission measures. A comparison is made between kernel observations and the theoretical predictions made by model heating calculations, available in the literature; significant discrepancies are found between observation and current particle-heating models.     

A new microwave/X-ray diagnostic for the thermal phase of solar flares

We have observed 10 solar bursts during the thermal phase using the Haystack radio telescope at 22 GHz. We show that these high frequency flux observations, when compared with soft X-ray band fluxes, give useful information about the temperature profile in the flare loops. The microwave and X-ray band fluxes provide determinations of the maximum loop temperature, the total emission measure, and the index of the differential emission measure (q(T)/T = cT^–1). The special case of an isothermal loop ( = ) has been considered previously by Thomas et al. (1985), and we confirm their diagnostic calculations for the GOES X-ray bands, but find that the flare loops we observed departed significantly from the isothermal regime. Our results ( = 1–3.5) imply that, during the late phases of flares, condensation cooling ( 3.5) competes with radiative cooling ( 1.5). Further, our results appear to be in good agreement with previous deductions from XUV rocket spectra ( 2–3).     

Inverse compton effect and the colorimetric characteristics of flare stars

It is shown that the observed color diagrams(U-B) _f (B-V) _f for pure flare emission of UV Cet type flare stars may be explained within the framework of a fast electron hypothesis. We point out the essential influence on these color indices of the two following factors: (a) the deviations of the normal radiation capability of the star in the infrared region of spectra (on 3.6 m, 4.4 m, and 5.5 m) from the Planckian distribution; (b) the location of the cloud (source) of fast electrons around the star (flare geometry effect). Under the real conditions of the generation of flares around the star the frequency transformation law at the photon-electron interaction has a view =n²₀, wheren may take the different values-from 0.15 up to 4; it depends on the cloud-star-observer geometry. By the observed colors of the flare emission may be understood, in principle, the location of flare source around the star. A possible role of reflection effect at the generation of stellar flares is outlined.     

Electron acceleration and heating in solar flares: Interpretation of Hα signatures

Vector magnetogram, H, and hard X-ray observations of flares are reviewed which show that nonthermal electron signatures in H are never cospatial with regions of maximum current density for the small number of flares analyzed, but lie to the sides of these regions. By considering electron acceleration and transport requirements, four conditions are found that must be fulfilled to observe nonthermal electron signatures in H: (1) The plasma beta 0.3 in the acceleration region. (2) The energy flux of electrons above 20 keV is greater than 10¹⁰ erg cm^–2 s^–1. (3) The column densityN 10²⁰ cm^–2 between the electron source and the chromosphere. (4) The coronal pressure in the flux tube connecting to the H layerp 100 dyne cm^–2. Condition 2 can be most easily met in the initial stages of flares. In contrast, the only condition for a high-pressure H signature isp 1000 dyne cm^–2, which is most easily met in a region of maximum current density or heating and far enough into the flare for significant heating to have occurred. Thus, high-pressure signatures should be expected to occur more frequently than nonthermal electron signatures and to occur generally later in time.Also Guest Worker at NOAA Space Environment Laboratory Boulder Colorado U.S.A.     

Sunspot motion,flares and type III bursts in McMath 11482

We have studied a series of flares in McMath 11482, 1972 August 19–22, with particular reference to the basis for the flares and comparison with dekameter radio data. We find that the flares were produced by rapid ( 1000 km h^–1) westward motion of a large new p spot. Many flares occur just in front of the spot, and they cease when the motion stops. All flares occurring in front of the spot produce type III bursts, while even strong flares elsewhere in the region produce little or no type III. The time of type III emission agrees perfectly with the start of the H flare. Thus type III bursts are only produced in favorable configurations.Simultaneous K-line movies are compared with H films and show little difference in flare appearance.     

On the localization,size and structure of the regions of the X-ray flares on the Sun

With the use of X-ray heliographs carried by the satellites Cosmos-166 and Cosmos-230 the height of an X-ray flare was found to be about 20–25 000 km. The regions of the X-ray flares possess a filamentary structure which, during the development of the flares, shows spatial changings with speeds up to 10⁷ cm/sec.     

Evidence for electron excitation of type III radio burst emission

Type III radio bursts observed at kilometric wavelengths ( 0.35 MHz) by the OGO-5 spacecraft are compared with > 45 keV solar electron events observed near 1 AU by the IMP-5 and Explorer 35 spacecraft for the period March 1968–November 1969.Fifty-six distinct type III bursts extending to 0.35 MHz ( 50 R equivalent height above the photosphere) were observed above the threshold of the OGO-5 detector; all but two were associated with solar flares. Twenty-six of the bursts were followed 40 min later by > 45 keV solar electron events observed at 1 AU. All of these 26 bursts were identified with flares located west of W 09 solar longitude. Of the bursts not associated with electron events only three were identified with flares west of W 09, 18 were located east of W 09 and 7 occurred during times when electron events would be obscured by high background particle fluxes.Thus almost all type III bursts from the western half of the solar disk observed by OGO-5 above a detection flux density threshold of the order of 10^–13 Wm^–2 Hz^–1 at 0.35 MHz are followed by > 45 keV electrons at 1 AU with a maximum flux of 10 cm^–2 s^–1 ster^–1. If particle propagation effects are taken into account it is possible to account for lack of electron events with the type III bursts from flares east of the central meridian. We conclude that streams of 10–100 keV electrons are the exciting agent for type III bursts and that these same electrons escape into the interplanetary medium where they are observed at 1 AU. The total number of > 45 keV electrons emitted in association with a strong kilometer wavelength type III burst is estimated to be 5 × 10³².     

Chromospheres of flare stars

The present paper contains an attempt to formulate a theory, based on fast electrons hypothesis, of the chromospheres of flare stars. At the same time we shall undertake a survey of observations on the emission lines of flare stars and comparisons with the theory. The general discussion in the introduction concerning the civilian right of fast electron hypothesis is followed by sections in which the following problems are tackled: the anatomy of the light curve of the flare in UV Cet-type stars or its division into two components; the sources of radiation, ionizing hydrogen and other elements, and the estimation of their power in cold dwarf stars with emission lines; conditions for the excitation of emission lines in the chromospheres of those stars; the problem of duration of luminescence of flare stars in the emission lines (observations and theory); the electron temperature and electron concentration in the chromospheres of flare stars; the problem of the luminescence of emission lines in the quiescent star; the degree of ionization and the role of inelastic collisions of the electrons in the chromosphere of flare stars; the profiles of emission lines, their broadening and intensification during the flare; the dependence of the infensity of emission lines on the flare amplitude; the nature and peculiarities of two types of the Haro flares; the impact of radiation dilution and the spectral class of the star on the equivalent width of the emission lines; the possibility of exciting the forbidden lines; the problem of generation of the emission lines of neutral and ionized helium; the possibility of the Lyman-alpha emission in flare stars, the expected parameters of such emission — the radiation power, the equivalent width and profile of the Lyman-alpha line; the possibility of the presence of the strongest (after the -line) emission line — of doublet 2800 Mgii in the spectra of flare stars, the expected value of the intensity and equivalent width of that line.     

Emerging Flux and X-class Flares in NOAA 6555

The active region NOAA 6555 had several locations of highly sheared magnetic field structure, yet, only one of them was the site for all the five X-class flares during its disk passage in March 1991. The pre-flare observations of high-resolution H filtergrams, vector magnetograms and H Dopplergrams of the 2B/X5.3 flare on 25 March 1991 show that the flaring site was characterized by a new rising emerging flux region (EFR) near the highly sheared magnetic field configuration. The polarity axis of the emerging flux was nearly perpendicular to the pre-existing magnetic neutral line. The location of the EFR was the site of initial brightening in H. The post-flare magnetograms show higher magnetic shear at the flare location compared to the post-flare magnetograms, which might indicate that the EFR was sheared at the time of its emergence. As the new EFR coincided with the occurrence of the flare, we suggest that it might have triggered the observed flare. Observations from Big Bear Solar Observatory and Marshall Space Flight Center also show that there was emergence of new flux at the same location prior to two other X-class flares. We find that out of five observed X-class flares in NOAA 6555, at least in three cases there are clear signatures of flare-related flux emergence. Therefore, it is concluded that EFRs might play an important role in destabilizing the observed sheared magnetic structures leading to large X-class flares of NOAA 6555.     

Hα manifestation of an energetic limb flare,June 21, 1980

The H observations of a limb flare, which were associated with exceptional gamma-ray and hard X-ray emission, are presented and discussed. The good spatial and temporal resolution of the H data allow us to investigate the detailed structure of the elevated flare loops and the intensity variations of the loops, footpoints and surrounding chromosphere during each phase of the flare event. A delay time of 12 s was found between at least one of the hard X-ray (28–485 keV) peaks and corresponding H intensity maximum at a loop footpoint. A comparison is made between this event and another well-observed limb flare with many similar characteristics to seek evidence for the large difference in their levels of energy release.     

A maximal background spectrum of gravitational radiation

A maximal spectrum of gravitational radiation from sources outside our galaxy is calculated. The sources are galaxies, quasars and events that occur in the early history of the universe. The major contribution is from galaxies whose effect extends over the frequency region 10^–810⁺⁴Hz, peaking at 10^–110 Hz, with a spectral flux of 10 erg cm^–2, s^–1. The main processes of gravitational radiation in the galaxies are stellar collapse into a black hole and dying binary systems. In the region 10^–410⁴ Hz the background spectrum is well above the detection levels of currently proposed detectors. FromMinimal considerations of this spectrum it is determined that the density of gravitational radiation is 10^–39g cm^–3. This background spectrum is sensitive to galactic evolution and especially sensitive to the upper mass limits and mass distribution of stars in galactic models. Therefore, the spectrum could provide information about galactic evolution complementary to that obtained by electromagnetic investigations.