Solar Physics

, Volume 83, Issue 1, pp 3–14 | Cite as

Thermal and nonthermal phenomena in solar flare loops at 20 cm wavelength and in X-rays

  • E. J. Schmahl
  • M. R. Kundu
  • P. B. Landecker
  • D. L. McKenzie
Article
Received:

Abstract

We present X-ray images from the P78-1 satellite for a long-lasting burst at 20 cm wavelength mapped with the Very Large Array on 19 May, 1979 by Velusamy and Kundu (1981). The decimeter wave observations were originally interpreted in terms of two models, one invoking thermal electrons radiating at low harmonics of the gyrofrequency, and the other invoking mildly relativistic electrons emitting gyrosynchrotron radiation. If indeed the 20 cm source is thermal, it should also be visible in soft X-rays, while if it is nonthermal, the soft X-ray emission should be weak or spatially or temporally distinct from the 20 cm burst. We find that only one of the three 20 cm sources was approximately co-spatial with the soft X-ray source, and that it was only partially thermal. The 20 cm burst is therefore primarily decimeter type IV emission from mildly relativistic electrons of the post-flare phase. The long lifetime (≳ 2h) and smooth temporal variation of the burst belie its nonthermal nature and suggest continuous acceleration as well as long term storage of energetic electrons.

Keywords

Flare Solar Flare Relativistic Electron Energetic Electron Wave Observation 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© D. Reidel Publishing Co. 1983

Authors and Affiliations

  • E. J. Schmahl
    • 1
  • M. R. Kundu
    • 1
  • P. B. Landecker
    • 2
  • D. L. McKenzie
    • 2
  1. 1.Astronomy Program, University of MarylandUSA
  2. 2.Space Sciences Laboratory, Aerospace CorporationUSA

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