Hard X-Ray Intensity Distribution along Hα Ribbons

Abstract

Unusual ribbon-like hard X-ray sources were found with the RHESSI observation of a 2B/M8.0 flare on 2005 May 13. We use this unique observation to investigate the spatial distribution of the hard X-ray intensity along the ribbons and compare it with the local magnetic reconnection rate and energy release rate predicted by the standard magnetic reconnection model for two ribbon flares. In the early phase of the flare, the hard X-ray sources appear to be concentrated in strong field regions within the Hα ribbons, which is explicable by the model. At and after the flare maximum phase, the hard X-ray sources become spatially extended to resemble Hα ribbons in morphology, during which the spatial distribution of hard X-ray intensity lacks a correlation with that of the local magnetic reconnection rate and energy release rate predicted by the model. We argue that the magnetic reconnection during this event may involve the rearrangement of magnetic field along the magnetic arcade axis that is inevitably overlooked by the two-dimensional model and suggest that this type of three-dimensional reconnection will be best seen in so-called sigmoid-to-arcade transformations.