TEMPORAL DEVELOPMENT
Here is a lightcurve of my flare generated by the RHESSI instrument.
The different colors represent different energy bands that the satellite
detected. As can be seen, the lower energies dropped dramatically around
20:47. This was due to the satellites automatic decimation system,
which is intended to preserve the functionality of the instruments by protecting
them from excessive radiation. The higher energy photons (100-300KeV)
were still able to pass through the shields. As might be inferred by
the need for such attenuation, this flare was extremely powerful. In
fact, this flare was one of the so-called "October Flares" of October, 2003,
which was one of the most prolific flare periods in our observational history
of the sun.
Notice that the duration of the flare is approximately 30 minutes. Also
notice the shape of the flare: it begins rather abruptly and fades
away in a tail-like shape. This is characteristic of a so-called "explosive
flare" (as opposed to an "impulsive flare," which is marked by a sharp, short
lived spike in its lightcurve).