Microwave imaging of a solar limb flare: Comparison of spectra and spatial geometry with hard X-rays
We have mapped a solar limb flare using the VLA at 6 cm wavelength with 8'' spatial resolution, simultaneously with hard X-ray spectral and spatial observations with the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. Microwave flux records from 2.8-19.6 Ghz have enabled us to determine the burst spectrum, which has a maximum at 10 GHz. The rising side of each of three microwave subbursts within the flare were simultaneous to < or approx. =1 s, with hard X-ray rises toward maxima. The flux spectrum and area of the burst sources were used to determine the number of electrons producing gyrosynchrotron emission (approx.1 x 10/sup 33/), the strength of the magnetic field (approx.550 G), and the energy distribution of gyrosynchrotron-emitting electrons (approx.E/sup -3/). Applying the thick target model to the hard X-ray flux spectrum, the number of high energy (E>25 keV) electrons responsible for the X-ray bursts was found to be Nroughly-equal110/sup 36/, and the electron energy distribution was approx.E/sup -5/, significantly different from the parameters derived from the microwave observations.
- Research Organization:
- Astronomy Program, University of Maryland
- OSTI ID:
- 5802270
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 299:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
SOLAR FLARES
X-RAY SPECTRA
HARD X RADIATION
IMAGES
INTERFEROMETRY
MAPS
POLARIZATION
SOLAR ELECTRONS
SOLAR RADIO BURSTS
SOLAR RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SOLAR X-RAY BURSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR PARTICLES
SOLAR RADIATION
SPECTRA
STELLAR RADIATION
X RADIATION
640104* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Solar Phenomena