paper

On the reliability of peak-flux distributions, with an application to solar flares

arXiv:astro-ph/0106158 · doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20010899

Abstract

Narrow-band radio spikes have been recorded during a solar flare with unprecedented resolution. This unique example allows to study the effect of low resolution in previously published peak-flux distributions of radio spikes. We give a general, analytical expression for how an actual peak-flux distribution is changed in shape if the peaks are determined with low temporal and/or frequency resolution. It turns out that, generally, low resolution tends to cause an exponential behavior at large flux values if the actual distribution is of power-law shape. The distribution may be severely altered if the burst-duration depends on the peak-flux. The derived expression is applicable also to peak-flux distributions derived at other wavelengths (e.g. soft and hard X-rays, EUV). We show that for the analyzed spike-event the resolution was sufficient for a reliable peak flux distribution. It can be fitted by generalized power-laws or by an exponential.

9 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; in press at Astronomy and Astrophysics (2001)

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