Some features of possible sources of the energy release in solar flares

Magnetic field singularities detected earlier as the self-intersection points of the F = 0 curves/surfaces are studied (where F is a certain differential factor calculated in the reference frame of the magnetic field at the given point); these singularities can be considered to be sources of the energy release in solar flares. Two types of such singularities, called transition points (TPs), have been found: the first type (TP1) corresponds to an intersection of the same type of components (terms) of the divergence of the magnetic field, and the second type (TP2) to the intersection of dissimilar components. There are some discontinuous spatial processes at these singularities, which produce jumps in the components of the divergence of the magnetic field (and their signs). TP2 singularities should result in much stronger effects than those resulting from TP1 singularities, which should give rise to the most powerful solar flares. The singularities studied are also compared with the null point of the magnetic field, when it exists. In particular, a model magnetic field containing a null point is considered. It is shown that the TP singularities do not coincide with the null point, but can be located in its vicinity; in the case considered, the TP1 singularity is located fairly close to the null point.     

Discontinuous plasma flows near reconnecting current layers in solar flares

A model for magnetic reconnection in high-conductivity plasma in the solar corona is analyzed in a strong-magnetic-field approximation. The model includes a Syrovatskii current layer and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) discontinuities attached to the ends of the layer. A two-dimensional analytical solution for the magnetic field is used to compute the distributions of the plasma flow velocity and plasma density in the vicinity of the corresponding current configuration. The properties of jumps in the density and velocity along the attached discontinuities are studied. Based on the character of the variations of the magnetic field and plasma flows at the MHD discontinuities, it is shown that, with the parameter values considered, an MHDdiscontinuity can include regions of trans-Alfvénic, fast, and slowshocks. The results obtained could be useful to explain the presence of “super-hot” (with effective electron temperatures exceeding 10 keV) plasma in solar flares. Other possible applications of the theory of discontinuous flows near regions of magnetic reconnection to analogous non-stationary phenomena in astrophysical plasmas are noted.     

Recent advances in solar radio physics

We review high spatial resolution microwave observations of solar active regions, coronal loops and flares. Observations of preflare active regions are presented; in particular we discuss the interpretations of reversal of polarization at the flare site and the role of newly emerging flux in triggering the onset of flares. We discuss the spatial locations of microwave burst emitting regions; loops or arcades of loops appear to be the sites of flare energy release in microwave bursts. We provide direct observational evidence of magnetic reconnection as the primary cause of acceleration of electrons in microwave bursts.     

Regions of primary energy release of solar flares associated with singularities in the magnetic field

The locations of sites of primary energy release of solar flares are studied. Magnetic singularities revealed earlier—self-intersections (reconnections) of F = 0 surfaces, where F is a differential factor determining the structural singularity in a potential magnetic field—are considered as possible sites of energy release. Six flare events demonstrating paired sources of non-thermal hard X-rays emission observed on March 17, 2002, July 17, 2002, April 6, 2004, November 4, 2004, November 6, 2004, and December 1, 2004 are analyzed for probable singularities. In each event analyzed, each source of non-thermal hard X-rays emission can be associated with an individual magnetic singularity; in other words, there is a magnetic-field line passing near the singularity and ending near (i.e. within about 10″) the source located on the photosphere (in the chromosphere). For the homologous flares observed on November 4 and 6, 2004, the same magnetic singularity is responsible for the source of non-thermal hard X-rays emission observed in the eastern sector of the flare region on November 4 and the source observed in the western part on November 6. A proposed interpretation associates these observations with a reversal of the electric field generated in the magnetic singularity on November 6, compared with the electric field generated on November 4, attributed to corresponding changes occurring in the photospheric magnetic field.     

Acceleration of charged particles in collapsing magnetic traps during solar flares

This paper examines the mechanisms for the acceleration of electrons, protons, and ions during solar flares. The acceleration is assumed to occur in two steps. The particles are first pre-accelerated by the electric field of a high-temperature current sheet undergoing magnetic reconnection. A collapsing magnetic trap in the solar corona provides further acceleration. It is shown that the Fermi mechanism accelerates trapped protons and ions even more efficiently than it does electrons. The particles escaping from the trap have energies reaching several GeV. The energy distribution of the accelerated ions is essentially independent of their mass and degree of ionization.     

Some properties of the joining of solar filaments

Some possibilities for the reconnection of magnetic-field lines of solar filaments that approach when the photospheric polarity inversion lines change their positions, are discussed. The interaction between filaments depends on their internal properties, which are determined by the filament chirality, or the sign of the helicity of the filament magnetic field. In quadrupolar magnetic configurations, filaments with the same chirality can exchange their halves. Filaments with opposite chirality rupture after the reconnection of the polarity inversion lines, since the two fragments of the different filaments cannot be connected continuously. The morphology and connectivity of the filaments are analyzed using daily Hα filtergrams obtained over the period of maximum activity of the 23rd solar cycle. Examples of alterations of the filament connectivity occuring during the evolution of photospheric fields are presented.     

Proton Flares in Solar Activity Complexes: Possible Origins and Consequences

Solar flares observed during the 24th solar-activity cycle and accompanied by fluxes of particles detected at the Earth’s orbit with intensities exceeding 10 particles cm^?2 s^?1 and energies of more than 10 MeV per particle mainly occurred in activity complexes (82% of cases), with 80% of these occurring no more than 20 heliographic degrees from the nearest coronal holes. The correlation between the X-ray classes of flares and the proton fluxes detected at the Earth’s orbit is weak. The work presented here supports the hypothesis that the leakage of particles into the heliosphere is due to the existence of long-lived magnetic channels, which facilitate the transport of flare-accelerated particles into the boundary regions of open magnetic structures of coronal holes. The possible contribution of exchange reconnection in the formation of such channels and the role of exchange reconnection in the generation of flares are discussed.     

Solar flares with long soft X-ray decays: Energy balance in giant loops

Solar flares with long X-ray decays (Long-Decay Flars, LDF) are studied. X-ray and radio observations can be used to trace the active phase of an LDF and the subsequent development of a system of giant coronal loops. The energy balance in a giant loop is modeled for the events of January 24, 1992 (an elementary LDF, considered earlier), November 2, 1991, and March 15, 1993; the modeling shows that energy flow into the loop over the entire life time of the LDF is necessary to account for the duration of the events. The total energy of the LDF was confined within rather narrow limits and was comparable to the energy of major impulsive flares. The results are consistent with the concept (developed in connection with Yohkoh observations) that an LDF in a posteruptive process results in magnetic reconnection in a vertical current sheet, with the subsequent formation of new loops and their specific evolution.     

Magnetic flux in an active solar region and its correlation with flares

The correlation between the magnetic flux in an active solar region and associated powerful solar flares is studied. The behavior of the active regions AR 10486 and AR 10365 is considered. These regions produced a series of class X flares as they crossed the solar disk. The flares appeared when the magnetic flux exceeded 10²² Mx. The magnetic flux remained constant during all the flares except for one. During this flare, the flux decreased by about 10%; this impulsive decrease of the flux was also recorded in the absence of flares. No energy flux from the photosphere to the corona at the time of the flare was observed. The behavior of the photospheric field in AR 10486 and AR 10365 is consistent with a slow accumulation of energy in the corona and the explosive release of energy stored in the magnetic field of a current sheet above an active region during the flare.     

Formation of several current sheets preceding a series of flares above the active region AR 0365

We have carried out 3D MHD modeling of the solar corona above the active region AR 0365 before a series of flares observed on May 26–27, 2003. Maps of the evolving photospheric magnetic fields preceding the flares were used as boundary conditions. An emergence of new flux equal to ～1.5 × 10²² Maxwell preceded the observed series of X-ray flares. Modeling a large region 4 × 10¹⁰ cm in size demonstrates the formation of several current sheets in the vicinities of coronal Xlines, both already existing in the initial potential field and arising due to the emergence of the new magnetic flux. Each current sheet could be responsible for an elementary flare.     

The spectrum of solar cosmic rays: Data of observations and numerical simulation

Analysis of the relativistic proton spectra of solar flares occurring in the 23rd solar activity cycle derived from data of a worldwide neutron monitor network and numerical modeling both provide evidence for the acceleration of charged particles by an electric field that arises in coronal current sheets during reconnection. The method used to obtain the spectra is based on simulating the response of a neutron monitor to an anisotropic flux of relativistic solar protons with specified parameters and determining the characteristics of the primary relativistic solar protons by fitting model responses to the observations. Studies of the dynamics of the energy spectra distinguish two populations of relativistic protons in solar cosmic-ray events: the so-called fast component, which arrives at the flux front of the solar cosmic rays, followed by the delayed slow component. The fast component is characterized by strong anisotropy and an exponential energy spectrum, in agreement with the spectrum yielded by mathematical modeling of particle acceleration by an electric field directed along the X line of the magnetic field. The slow component, whose propagation is probably diffusive, has a power-law spectrum.     

Eruptive processes at the beginning of development of powerful flare-active regions on the sun

The evolution of large solar activity centers is studied, and the conditions resulting in powerful nonstationary processes are clarified. In addition to the factors that are usually considered (changes in sunspot area, the structure of magnetic fields, the character of motions), we examine to what extent observations of nonstationary processes (flares and associated coronal mass ejections) can be used to predict the development of such processes in the subsequent evolution of the activity center. We considered the example of a powerful group in October 2003, which could be observed before its appearance at the eastern limb using a spacecraft in near-Mars orbit. We plotted for events occurring in 2003 images of flares in various spectral ranges and analyzed high-energy processes in group 486, which was isolated at the beginning of its development, and then in the interrelated groups 486 and 484. The analysis of the peculiar early development of group 486 suggested that an intensification of the activity could be expected due to the emergence of new magnetic flux (and satellite groups), as well as the interaction and synchronization of two and then three large groups of the end of October 2003. In other words, in this case, extremely powerful nonstationary processes are associated with a relatively higher contribution of large-scale magnetic fields. We compare our results to analyses of motions and magnetic fields in this activity center throughout its transit across the disk from October 23 to November 5, 2003.     

Studying coronal holes through observations of an HeI infrared line and the Hα line

New results from electrophotometric scanning of the solar disk in the HeI λ 10830 Å and H_α lines are presented. The intensity at the center of the HeI λ 10830.30 Å line is 1–3% higher in the regions of coronal holes than in quiescent regions; this is accompanied by a decrease in the size and contrast of the chromospheric network compared to the network in quiescent regions. Our observations in the HeI line revealed chains of “dark points” surrounding coronal holes. The H_α±0.5 observations show increased velocities of ascent near the dark points compared to the velocities inside coronal holes and in quiescent regions. It is proposed that the intensification and acceleration of the flows of solar plasma from the dark points are due to reconnection of the magnetic fields of the bipolar chromospheric network and the predominantly unipolar magnetic field inside the coronal holes. Our observations suggest that the same reconnection process takes place near the temperature minimum, in the presence of certain conditions at the boundary between coronal holes and bipolar active regions. The reconnection process produces plasma flows from the chromosphere to the corona, which are sufficient to form prominences.     

Origin of prolonged X-ray flares on active late-type stars

Soft X-ray data for prolonged flares in subgiants in RS CVn binary systems and some other active late-type stars (AB Dor, Algol) are analyzed. During these nonstationary events, a large amount of hot plasma with temperatures exceeding 10⁸ K exists for many hours. Numerical simulations of gas-dynamical processes in the X-ray source—giant loops—can yield reliable estimates of the plasma parameters and flare-source size. This confirms that such phenomena exist while considerable energy is supplied to the top part of a giant loop or system of loops. Refined estimates of the flare energy (up to 10³⁷ erg) and scales contradict the widely accepted idea that prolonged X-ray flares are associated with the evolution of local magnetic fields. The energy of the current component of the large-scale magnetic field arising during the ejection of magnetic field by plasma jets or stellar wind is estimated. Two cases are considered: a global stellar field and fields connecting regions with oppositely directed unipolar magnetic fields. The inferred energy of the current component of the magnetic field associated with distortion of the initial MHD configuration is close to the total flare energy, suggesting that large-scale magnetic fields play an important role in prolonged flares. The flare process encompasses some portion of a streamer belt and may propagate along the entire magnetic equator of the star during the most powerful prolonged events.     

蓬勃发展的空间天气学

日地空间环境是人类生存发展的重要场所,太阳剧烈活动引起日地空间短时间尺度的变化,对人类社会带来严重影响和危害。本文简要介绍了空间天气学产生的背景和迅速发展的社会需求,当今国际合作研究的重大计划和进展,以及空间天气学研究的未来和展望。     

Localization of magnetic reconnection from the differential characteristics of magnetic fields

Magnetic reconnection for arbitrary magnetic fields without null points is analyzed in the absence of plasma. A potential model field for four sources is considered. A method for the localization of probable reconnection regions using computable differential characteristics of magnetic fields is proposed. Some separator properties are examined, and separator regions are found for the best-known reconnection conditions.     

Dynamics of the hard X-ray,gamma-ray,and microwave emission of solar flares produced by the active region NOAA 0069 in August 2002

Regularities have been searched for in the dynamics of characteristics of flare solar radiation during the development of the active region NOAA 0069 in the interval of August 14–24, 2002. The SONG (Solar Neutrons and Gamma rays) instrument onboard the Russian CORONAS-F Solar Observatory recorded hard X-ray and gamma-ray radiation in nine of the 30 flares of class above C5 in this active region within the indicated time interval. It was obtained that, in accordance with the development of the active region, the X- and gamma-ray flux tended to increase at the flare maxima while the hard X-ray spectral index tended to decrease; flares with a harder radiation spectrum occurred in the sunspot umbra, i.e., in the region with the strongest magnetic fields.     

Diagnostic of a Solar Flare via Analyses of Emission in Spectral Lines of Highly Ionized Iron

An analysis of the dynamics of the electron temperature of the solar atmosphere in regions where solar flares appear is presented. The temperatures are estimated from the emission in spectral lines of ions with various degrees of ionization. The emission of ionized helium and highly ionized iron was used. Images of preflare states and of flares from the archive of the American SDO spacecraft are analyzed. A solar flare is usually preceded by the registration of a bright glowing structure above the action region, with a temperature exceeding that of the corona. This preflare structure (~10¹⁰ cm) is identified with the development of a system of currents, which, according to numerical simulations, is responsible for the accumulation of energy above the active region before the flare. After several tens of hours of a slow increase in the brightness of the preflare glow in the 94 Å iron (FeXVIII) line, the emission in the 193 Å line of FeXXIV increases sharply, indicating a flare-like growth of the temperature up to at least 20 MK. This growth of the emission coincides with the onset of the solar flare. The observed dynamics of the emission in spectral lines of highly ionized ions is consistent with an electrodynamic model of a solar flare based on the accumulation of magnetic energy in a current sheet above the active region and the explosive release of the stored energy. Studies of mechanisms for solar flares are of special importance in connection with the discovery of solar cosmic rays. Information from the worldwide network of neutron monitors and from the GOES spacecraft has made it possible to firmly state that the source of solar rays is solar flares, not shocks generated by such flares. It cannot be ruled out that a similar mechanism, not shocks, is also responsible for the acceleration of cosmic rays in the Galaxy.     

Can Superflares Occur on the Sun? A View from Dynamo Theory

Recent data from the Kepler mission has revealed the occurrence of superflares in Sun-like stars which exceed by far any observed solar flares in released energy. Radionuclide data do not provide evidence for occurrence of superflares on the Sun over the past eleven millennia. Stellar data for a subgroup of superflaring Kepler stars are analysed in an attempt to find possible progenitors of their abnormal magnetic activity. A natural idea is that the dynamo mechanism in superflaring stars differs in some respect from that in the Sun. We search for a difference in the dynamo-related parameters between superflaring stars and the Sun to suggest a dynamo mechanism as close as possible to the conventional solar/stellar dynamo but capable of providing much higher magnetic energy. Dynamo based on joint action of differential rotation and mirror asymmetric motions can in principle result in excitation of two types of magnetic fields. First of all, it is well-known in solar physics dynamo waves. The point is that another magnetic configuration with initial growth and further stabilisation can also be excited. For comparable conditions, magnetic field of second configuration is much stronger than that of the first one just because dynamo does not spend its energy for periodic magnetic field inversions but uses it for magnetic field growth. We analysed available data from the Kepler mission concerning the superflaring stars in order to find tracers of anomalous magnetic activity. As suggested in a recent paper [1], we find that anti-solar differential rotation or anti-solar sign of the mirror-asymmetry of stellar convection can provide the desired strong magnetic field in dynamo models. We confirm this concept by numerical models of stellar dynamos with corresponding governing parameters. We conclude that the proposed mechanism can plausibly explain the superflaring events at least for some cool stars, including binaries, subgiants and, possibly, low-mass stars and young rapid rotators.     

Fast magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration in the non-equilibrium magnetosphere of a relativistic star

A scenario for hard impulsive flares due to magnetic reconnection and particle acceleration in cosmic plasma is proposed. The properties of fast reconnection in an appreciably non-equilibrium nagnetosphere of a compact relativistic object, such as a neutron star, magnetar, or white dwarf, are discussed. Such a magnetosphere could form as the result of the action of a relativistic shock on the strong magnetic field of the star. An analytical solution is presented for the generalized, two-dimensional structure, shape, and boundaries of the magnetosphere, together with the magnitudes of the direct and reverse currents in the reconnecting current layer. The uncompensated magnetic force acting on the reverse current is determined. The characteristic parameters of the non-equilibrium magnetospheres of compact stellar objects are estimated. The excess magnetic energy of the magnetosphere is comparable to the mechanical energy carried by the shock at the time of impact. The possible acceleration of particles to gigantic energies is discussed.