The nature of solar flares associated with coronal mass ejection.
Abstract
An analysis is presented of solar X-ray flares associated with coronal mass ejections through the period 1986-1987. The nature of the flares apparently associated with mass ejection is explored. In particular the relationships between flare duration and intensity and the association with mass ejection are investigated. We believe that this study tackles the flare-CME analysis in a way that is uniquely unbiased. Past studies of a similar nature are discussed and a criticism of their approach is given. In particular, the author believes that the continual bias toward the so-called Long Duration Events and the brightest flares is misleading. The analysis supports the view that the flare and CME are signatures of the same magnetic "disease", that is, they represent the responses in different parts of the magnetic struture, to a particular activity; they do not drive one another but are closely related. The present statistical analysis allows a chance association to be given for a mass ejection event when an X-ray flare is observed. The use of such information in the prediction of geomagnetic activity generated when mass ejecta interact with the Earth is discussed.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- December 1995
- Bibcode:
- 1995A&A...304..585H
- Keywords:
-
- SUN: CORONA;
- SUN: FLARES;
- SUN: MAGNETIC FIELDS;
- SUN: SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL RELATIONS