Fluorescent excitation of photospheric Fe K-α emission during solar flares
Abstract
The Bent Crystal Spectrometer on the NASA Solar Maximum Mission satellite provides high spectral and temporal resolution observations of the Fe Kα lines. We have analysed spectra from almost 50 solar flares that occurred during 1980. These data strongly support fluorescent excitation of photospheric iron by photons of E > 7.11 keV emitted by the hot coronal plasma produced during the flare. After comparison of the data with a model, we discuss the observed Kα line widths, estimates of the size of the emitting region, the height of the coronal source and the photospheric iron abundance.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0273-1177(82)90191-0
- Bibcode:
- 1982AdSpR...2k.151P
- Keywords:
-
- Fluorescence;
- K Lines;
- Photosphere;
- Solar Flares;
- Solar Radiation;
- Solar Spectra;
- Abundance;
- Iron;
- Line Spectra;
- Solar Corona;
- Solar X-Rays;
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Solar Physics