The development of lower-atmosphere turbulence early in a solar flare

Jeffrey, N.L.S. , Fletcher, L. , Labrosse, N. and Simoes, P.J.A. (2018) The development of lower-atmosphere turbulence early in a solar flare. Science Advances, 4(12), eaav2794. (doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aav2794)

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Abstract

We present the first observational study of the onset and evolution of solar flare turbulence in the lower solar atmosphere on an unprecedented time scale of 1.7 s using the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph observing plasma at a temperature of 80,000 K. At this time resolution, nonthermal spectral line broadening, indicating turbulent velocity fluctuations, precedes the flare onset at this temperature and is coincident with net blue-shifts. The broadening decreases as the flare brightens and then oscillates with a period of ~10 s. These observations are consistent with turbulence in the lower solar atmosphere at the flare onset, heating that region as it dissipates. This challenges the current view of energy release and transport in the standard solar flare model, suggesting that turbulence partly heats the lower atmosphere.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Simoes, Dr Paulo and Fletcher, Professor Lyndsay and Jeffrey, Dr Natasha and Labrosse, Dr Nicolas
Authors: Jeffrey, N.L.S., Fletcher, L., Labrosse, N., and Simoes, P.J.A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Science Advances
Publisher:American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISSN:2375-2548
ISSN (Online):2375-2548
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Authors
First Published:First published in Science Advances 4(12):eeav2794
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
631581Consolidated grant in solar and astrophysical plasmasLyndsay FletcherScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/L000741/1S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY
728901Consolidated Grant in Solar PhysicsLyndsay FletcherScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/P000533/1S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY