Observation of the Evolution of a Current Sheet in a Solar Flare

We report multi-wavelength and multi-viewpoint observations of a solar eruptive event that involves loop-loop interactions. During a C2.0 flare, motions associated with inflowing and outflowing plasma provide evidence for ongoing magnetic reconnection. The flare loop top and a rising “concave-up” feature are connected by a current-sheet-like structure (CSLS). The physical properties (thickness, length, temperature, and density) of the CSLS are evaluated. In regions adjacent to the CSLS, the EUV emission (characteristic temperature at 1.6 MK) begins to increase more than 10 minutes prior to the onset of the flare, and steeply decreases during the decay phase. The reduction of the emission resembles that expected from coronal dimming. The dynamics of this event imply a magnetic reconnection rate in the range 0.01-0.05.