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Semester 2, Week 11: Prof Lyndsay Fletcher, University of Glasgow
April 17 @ 2:05 PM - 2:55 PM
Academic Webpage
Date/Time/Location: Maths Lecture Theatre B, 1405-1455, Friday 17th April
Title: The fine scales of solar chromospheric flares
Abstract: A solar flare is an intense but short-lived release of energy from the Sun’s magnetically-dominated atmosphere, resulting in the acceleration of non-thermal particles, plasma heating, and radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Most energy released is radiated by the solar chromosphere, giving rise to bright, highly structured ‘footpoints’ and ‘ribbons’ of chromospheric emission. The big picture of a solar flare, and the significance of flare ribbons in the global reconnection scenario, is well established, but high-resolution observations show fine spatial, temporal and spectral structure which can be probed to further explore flare physics. In this talk I will briefly overview the basic framework of a solar flare and its development in the solar chromosphere, highlighting some examples of how fine scales are being used to investigate energy release and transport. I will focus on results from the IRIS spacecraft in the UV, and a newly-opened window on flares in the thermal infrared.