Evolution of the high-temperature plasma in the 15 June 1973 flare |
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| Authors: | Chung-Chieh Cheng |
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| Institution: | (1) E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research, Naval Research Laboratory, 20375 Washington, D.C., U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | The analysis of the high temperature plasma in Fe xxiii–xxiv in the 15 June 1973 flare is presented. The observations were obtained with the NRLXUV spectroheliograph on Skylab. The results are: (1) There was preheating of the active region in which the flare occurred. In particular, a large loop in the vicinity of the flaring region showed enhanced brightness for many hours before the flare. The loop disappeared when the flare occurred, and returned in the postflare phase, as if the energy flux which had been heating the large loop was blocked during the flare and restored after the flare was gone. The large magnetic fields did not change significantly. (2) The flare occurred in low-lying loop or loops. The spatial distribution of flare emission shows that there was a temperature gradient along the loop. (3) The high temperature plasma emitting Fe xxiii and xxiv had an initial upward motion with a velocity of about 80 km s–1. (4) There was large turbulent mass motion in the high temperature plasma with a random velocity of 100 to 160 km s–1. (5) The peak temperature of the hot plasma, determined from the Fe xxiii and xxiv intensity ratio, was 14 × 106 K. It decreased slightly and then, for a period of 4 min, remained at 12.6 × 106 K before dropping sharply to below 10 × 106 K. The density of the central core of the hot plasma, determined from absolute intensity of Fe xxiv 255 Å line, was of the order of 1011 cm–3.The persistence of the high level of turbulence and of the high temperature plateau in the decaying phase of the flare indicates the presence of secondary energy release. From the energy balance equation the required energy source is calculated to be about 3 to 7 ergs cm–3 s–1.Ball Brothers Research Corporation. |
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