Particle Acceleration in the Process of Eruptive Opening and Reconnection of Magnetic Fields

Abstract

In a series of papers on the flare of 29 July 1973 (Nolte et al., 1979; Martin, 1979; Svestka et al., 1979) it has been shown that Hα “post-flare” loops are the cooled aftermath of previously hot coronal loops which were visible in x-rays in the same position earlier in the flare. Kopp and Pneuman (1976) have proposed that these post-flare loops are formed by a process of successive magnetic field reconnections of previously distended magnetic field lines as illustrated in Figure 1. Each successive reconnection of the magnetic field yields a closed magnetic loop that forms above and concentric with previously formed loops. A shock wave created during each sudden reconnection travels down both legs of each loop and provides energy for ionizing chromospheric mass at the footpoints of the loop. Subsequent condensation of the ionized mass at the tops of the loops renders them visible as this mass falls to the chromosphere.