RHESSI Observations of a Simple Large X-ray Flare on 11-03-2003

Abstract

We present data analysis and interpretation of a simple X-class flare observed with RHESSI on November 3, 2003. In contrast to other X-class flares observed previously, this flare shows a very simple morphology with well defined looptop (LT) and footpoint (FP) sources. The almost monotonic upward motion of the LT source and increase in separation of the two FP sources are consistent with magnetic reconnection models proposed for solar flares. In addition, we find that the source motions are relatively slower during the more active phases of hard X-ray emission; the emission centroid of the LT source shifts toward higher altitudes with the increase of energy; the separation between the LT emission centroids at two different photon energies is anti-correlated with the FP flux. Non-uniformity of the reconnecting magnetic fields could be a possible explanation of these features.

arXiv commentTo appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters (12 pages, 4 figures)

Cited by in corpus (22)

• An Observational Overview of Solar Flares
• Plasmoid Ejections and Loop Contractions in an Eruptive M7.7 Solar Flare: Evidence of Particle Acceleration and Heating in Magnetic Reconnection Outflows
• Double Coronal Hard and Soft X-ray Source Observed by RHESSI: Evidence for Magnetic Reconnection and Particle Acceleration in Solar Flares
• Evolution of reconnection along an arcade of magnetic loops
• RHESSI Observation of Chromospheric Evaporation
• Implosion of coronal loops during the impulsive phase of a solar flare
• Conjugate Hard X-ray Footpoints in the 2003 October 29 X10 Flare: Unshearing Motions, Correlations, and Asymmetries
• First detection of >100 MeV gamma rays associated with a behind-the-limb solar flare
• Combined Modeling of Acceleration, Transport, and Hydrodynamic Response in Solar Flares: I. The Numerical Model
• Magnetic Reconnection During the Two-Phase Evolution of a Solar Eruptive Flare
• 3D magnetic reconnection and its application to solar flares
• Electron Acceleration in Solar Flares: Theory of Spectral Evolution
• Hard X-Ray Emission from Partially Occulted Solar Flares: RHESSI Observations in Two Solar Cycles
• On the Brightening Propagation of Post-Flare Loops Observed by TRACE
• Large-scale contraction and subsequent disruption of coronal loops during various phases of the M6.2 flare associated with the confined flux rope eruption
• Multi-wavelength signatures of magnetic reconnection of a flare associated coronal mass ejection
• Footpoint Motion of the Continuum Emission in the 2002 September 30 White-Light Flare
• Impulsive Phase Coronal Hard X-ray Sources in an X3.9 Class Solar Flare
• Early Abnormal Temperature Structure of X-ray Looptop Source of Solar Flares
• Diagnostics of the Heating Processes in Solar Flares Using Chromospheric Spectral Lines
• White-light Continuum Observation of the Off-limb Loops of the SOL2017-09-10 X8.2 Flare: Temporal and Spatial Variations
• Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Hard X-Ray Sources in Flare Model with a Vertical Current Sheet