Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nanoflare mechanisms: Twisting and braiding

  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper we will show that the twisting mechanism of Sturrock and Uchida is as viable a heating source for the active corona as Parker's braiding. This conclusion contradicts that of Berger (1990). Moreover, we shall show that if we adopt Berger's criterion for reconnection, braiding produces far more flare energy than is observed. A modified criterion, consistent with twisting, produces insufficient heating but, coupled to an avalanche process, could account for active region flares.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Berger, M. A.: 1990, in H. K. Moffett and A. Tsinober (eds.),Topological Fluid Mechanics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, M. A.: 1991a,Astron. Astrophys. 252, 369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, M. A.: 1991b, in P. Ulmschneider, E. R. Priest, and R. Rosner (eds.),Mechanisms of Chromospheric and Coronal Heating, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, p. 570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cattaneo, F., Hulburt, N. E., and Toomre, J.: 1989, in R. J. Rutten and G. Severino (eds.),Solar and Stellar Granulation, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Holland, p. 415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golub, L., Herant, M., Kulata, K., Lovas, I., Nystrom, G., Pardo, F., Spiller, E., and Wilcynski, J.: 1990,Nature 344, 842.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyvaerts, J. and Priest, E. R.: 1984,Astron. Astrophys. 137, 63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson, H.: 1991,Solar Phys. 133, 357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, R. P., Schwartz, R. A., Kane, S. R., Pelling, R. M., and Hurley, K.: 1984,Astrophys. J. 283, 421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu, E. T. and Hamilton, R. J.: 1991,Astrophys. J. 380, L89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malagoli, A., Cattaneo, F., and Brummel, N. H.: 1990,Astrophys. J. 361, L33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller, R.: 1983,Solar Phys. 85, 113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller, R. and Keil, S. L.: 1983,Solar Phys. 87, 243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordlund, A. and Stein, R. F.: 1989, in R. J. Rutten and G. Severino (eds.),Solar and Stellar Granulation, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, Holland, p. 453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. N.: 1972,Astrophys. J. 174 499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. N.: 1988,Astrophys. J. 330 474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenflo, J.: 1973,Solar Phys. 32, 41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, H. R. and Otani, N. F.: 1988,Astrophys J. 326, 418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturrock, P. A. and Uchida, Y.: 1981,Astrophys. J. 246, 331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarbell, T. D.: 1992, private communication.

  • Tarbell, T. D., Slater, G. L., Frank, Z. A., Shine, R. A., and Topka, K. P.: 1991, in P. Ulmschneider, E. R. Priest, and R. Rosner (eds.),Mechanisms of Chromospheric and Coronal Heating, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, p. 570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Withbroe, G. A. and Noyes, R. W.: 1977,Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys. 15, 363.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. F. M. Cleveland

    Present address: Utility Consultants, International, Suite 101, 20833 Stevens Creek Blvd, 95014, Cupertino, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Solar Observatory, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, USA

    J. B. Zirker

  2. Energy and Control Consultants, 1530 The Alameda, 95126, San José, CA, USA

    F. M. Cleveland

Authors
  1. J. B. Zirker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. M. Cleveland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zirker, J.B., Cleveland, F.M. Nanoflare mechanisms: Twisting and braiding. Sol Phys 144, 341–347 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627598

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627598

Keywords

Search

Navigation