Magnetic Reconnection and Energy Release in Solar Flares

Advisors: Jiong Qiu and Dana Longcope

Solar flares are spectacular energy release events in the Sun's atmosphere. It is understood that the energy to fuel flares is provided by the Sun's magnetic fields, most probably through a physical process called magnetic reconnection. Magnetic reconnection changes the way magnetic field lines connect to the Sun's surface, and the subsequent energy release is often manifested as heating along a multitude of newly formed magnetic flux tubes. In this project, we will study the evolution of flare radiation signatures at the foot-points of magnetic tubes (loops) formed during reconnection, measure important parameters of magnetic reconnection, and search for better understanding of the relationship between magnetic reconnection and energization of plasmas or particles in flux tubes.

The student will analyze imaging observations of solar flares and magnetic fields by the satellites TRACE, SoHO, RHESSI, and SDO. The student will learn about the Sun's atmosphere and magnetism. Computer experience is required. Experience with IDL or similar programming languages is desired though not required.

You can read about related REU projects here: http://solar.physics.montana.edu/home/www/reu/2010/gkerr/ and http://solar.physics.montana.edu/home/www/reu/2008/nhill/