Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Publication

The power output of spine and fan magnetic reconnection solutions

Abstract
The ability of three-dimensional magnetic “spine” and “fan” reconnection solutions to provide flarelike energy release is discussed. It is pointed out, on the basis of exact analytic solutions, that fast dissipation is possible only if the hydromagnetic pressure in the reconnection region becomes unbounded in the limit of small plasma resistivities. The implication is that some “saturation” of the power output is inevitable for realistic coronal plasmas. Estimates of the saturated power, based on limiting the flux pileup in the field, suggest that the geometry of the spine reconnection mechanism precludes significant flare energy release. However, the current sheet structures involved in fan reconnection seem able to release sufficient magnetic energy fast enough to account for modest flares, even under the conservative assumption of classical plasma resistivities.
Type
Journal Article
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
Craig, I. J. D., Fabling, R. B. & Watson, P. G.(1997). The power output of spine and fan magnetic reconnection solutions. The Astrophysical Journal, 485(1), 383- 388.
Date
1997-08
Publisher
Degree
Supervisors
Rights
This article has been published in the Astrophysical Journal. Copyright 1997 The American Astronomical Society.