What is the Role of Plasma in Solar Flares?

In summary, solar flares are characterized by cellular convection patterns in the chromosphere and have particle densities similar to that of the chromosphere and corona. The chromosphere also has spicules, which are about the size of Earth. Flares, on the other hand, are larger and more explosive, and their cause and timing are not well understood. Modeling the initial conditions of flares based on the density of the chromosphere near sunspots requires a good plasma MHD model with knowledge of plasma density, currents, magnetic field strengths, and rate of change of magnetic fields. Access to the journal Solar Physics may provide further insight into understanding solar flares.
  • #1
pivoxa15
2,255
1
What is the density of solar flares usually?
 
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  • #2
There are some numbers here, but the article doesn't say anything about specific location, i.e. how far from the surface of the sun the data are reported.
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMB49QJNVE_index_0.html

Solar flares would ostensibly have particle densities on the order of the chromosphere and corona.

See - RELEASE OF HELIUM FROM CLOSED-FIELD REGIONS OF THE SUN
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/ApJ/journal/issues/ApJ/v624n1/61619/61619.web.pdf [Broken]

The Structure of the Sun
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/Curric_7-12/Chapter_2.pdf [Broken]
 
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  • #3
What about modeling them as having the density of the sun as in the beginning a lot of the stuff are blown out from the sun.
 
  • #4
In the article in last link (pdf) -
The chromosphere is also characterized by cellular convection patterns, but these cells are much larger than the granules of the photosphere. Near the boundaries of these cells are concentrated magnetic fields that produce vertical jets of material called spicules. Although spicules are considered to be small features of the quiet sun, they are actually about the size of Earth! Flares are much larger and more explosive. The active regions associated with sunspots produce strong magnetic fields, which arch up through the chromosphere and become conduits for material when explosive flares erupt. The cause and timing of these eruptions are of great interest to scientists but are not well understood.

So modeling the initial conditions of the flare based on the density of the chromosphere near sun spots. One would need a good plasma MHD model with knowledge of the plasma density and currents, magnetic field strengths and rate of change of magetic fields (for induced EMF).

See if one can obtain access to the journal Solar Physics

Solar Flare Statistics with a One-Dimensional Mhd Model
http://www.springerlink.com/content/r82p30h54v444207/

Turbulent plasma model of the narrowband dm-spikes
http://solar.physics.montana.edu/cgi-bin/eprint/index.pl?do_by_author=1&authorid=60
 

1. What is the density of a typical solar flare?

The density of a solar flare can vary greatly, but on average it is around 10^8 particles per cubic centimeter.

2. How does the density of a solar flare affect its intensity?

The density of a solar flare is directly related to its intensity. Higher density flares tend to be more intense and have a greater impact on Earth's atmosphere.

3. How is the density of a solar flare measured?

The density of a solar flare is typically measured using a combination of remote-sensing instruments, such as spectrometers and coronagraphs, and in-situ measurements from satellites and probes.

4. Can the density of a solar flare be predicted?

While scientists can make general predictions about the likelihood of a solar flare occurring, it is difficult to predict the exact density of a flare. Factors such as the strength of the magnetic field and the energy released in the flare can affect its density.

5. How does the density of a solar flare affect space weather?

The density of a solar flare can have a significant impact on space weather. High-density flares can cause disruptions in satellite communications and power grids, as well as potentially harmful radiation for astronauts in space.

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