What is the Role of Plasma in Solar Flares?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the role of plasma in solar flares, emphasizing the particle densities typically found in the chromosphere and corona. It highlights the importance of modeling these flares based on the density of the chromosphere near sunspots, utilizing a robust plasma magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model. Key references include the study on helium release from closed-field regions and the structure of the sun, which provide foundational insights into the dynamics of solar flares. The conversation underscores the need for precise measurements of plasma density, magnetic field strengths, and their variations to better understand solar flare eruptions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of plasma magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)
  • Knowledge of solar atmospheric layers, specifically the chromosphere and corona
  • Familiarity with solar physics and magnetic field dynamics
  • Access to scientific journals such as Solar Physics for advanced research
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of plasma in solar flares using magnetohydrodynamic models
  • Study the dynamics of spicules and their relationship to solar flares
  • Examine the statistical analysis of solar flares through one-dimensional MHD models
  • Access and review articles from the journal Solar Physics for in-depth studies
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and researchers focused on solar phenomena, particularly those studying solar flares and their underlying plasma dynamics.

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What is the density of solar flares usually?
 
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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

The Structure of the Sun
http://www.sec.noaa.gov/Curric_7-12/Chapter_2.pdf
 
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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.
 
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
 

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