Decay of the coronal magnetic field can release sufficient energy to power a solar flare

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aax6874
• Publication Date: 2020-01-17T00:09:20Z
• Authors: Gregory D. Fleishman; Dale E. Gary; Bin Chen; Natsuha Kuroda; Sijie Yu; Gelu M. Nita
• Keywords: Solar flare; Nanoflares; Flare; Corona (planetary geology); Coronal loop; Solar energetic particles; Magnetic cloud

Magnetic energy release in a solar flare Solar flares are bright flashes and associated eruptions of plasma from the Sun that thought to be powered by violent rearrangement magnetic fields near sunspots. Fleishman et al. observed with microwave interferometer, allowing them map field corona monitor how it changed during flare. They found large drop local strength over 2 minutes, releasing enough power entire Determining origin this will help predict strong future may their potential space weather impacts on Earth. Science , issue p. 278