Analysis of loop interaction in the visible emission corona
Abstract
Images of coronal post-flare loop systems in the two coronal lines, 5303Å(Fe XIV) and 6374Å(FeX), show occasional brightenings at projected points of intersection of overlapping loops. Such brightenings are interpreted as an interaction between two loops coming into localized contact due to motion of loop footpoints or when one loop grows more rapidly than a higher loop. The observations indicate that partial magnetic reconnection occurs, with associated heating and subsequent cooling of the plasma in the interaction region. The phenomenon is commonly observed in post-flare loop systems. Low-energy events apparently occur also, with less frequency, in quiet coronal loop systems. An analysis suggests that these events can, as observed, be described by an initial resistive instability in the region of the enhancement, which eventually turns into an eruptive instability at the onset of reconnection. The energy contribution of these small events to the overall coronal environment is estimated.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- April 1994
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0273-1177(94)90157-0
- Bibcode:
- 1994AdSpR..14d..41Z
- Keywords:
-
- Coronal Loops;
- Emission Spectra;
- Magnetic Field Reconnection;
- Solar Flares;
- Solar Limb;
- Solar Spectra;
- Line Spectra;
- Solar Physics;
- Solar Terrestrial Interactions;
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Solar Physics