Impulsive Phenomena of the Solar Atmosphere. I. Some Optical Events Associated with Flares Showing Explosive Phase.

A new class of optical phenomena of the solar atmosphere associated with flares is described. These phenomena are characterized by higher velocities ( 1500 km/sec) and shorter time scales than has been indicated by previous observations. An explanation of some of the observed phenomena is offered in terms of corpuscular streams ejected from flares at the time of an "explosive phase" occurring during the rise to maximum brightness.