Project Background

Magnetic Reconnection and Energy Release in Solar Flares

Advisor: Jiong Qiu

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.

Image: Nasa.gov