Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Research Articles

Solar extreme ultraviolet variability as a proxy for nanoflare heating diagnostics

Aims. We aim to improve the existing techniques to probe the nanoflare hypothesis for the coronal heating problem. For this purpose, we propose using the solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission variability registered with modern space-based imagers. Methods. We followed a novel model-based approach. As a starting point, we used the EBTEL 0d hydrodynamic model. We integrated the arising system of stochastic differential equations to calculate the covariance matrix for plasma parameters. We then employed a Taylor expansion technique to relate model parameters with observable EUV intensity variation statistics. Results. We found that in the high-frequency approximation, the variability of the EUV emission is defined by the dimensionless factor ϖ, which is inversely proportional to the frequency. We calculated the factor ϖ throughout the solar disk and found that it does not exceed 0.01, except for the finite number of compact regions. The distribution of ϖ follows the power law with an index of ≈ − 2.6. To validate our approach, we used it to probe the temperature of the coronal plasma. We show that the line-of-sight temperature distribution is close to homogeneous with a mode of ≈1.25 MK, which is in perfect agreement with the results of the spectroscopic diagnostics.

Multiwavelength Sun-as-a-star Analysis of the M8.7 Flare on 2022 October 2 Using Hα and EUV Spectra Taken by SMART/SDDI and SDO/EVE

This paper presents a multiwavelength Sun-as-a-star analysis of the M8.7 flare on 2022 October 2, which was associated with a filament eruption and the subsequent coronal mass ejection. The Sun-as-a-star analysis was performed using Hα data taken by Solar Dynamics Doppler Imager on board the Solar Magnetic Activity Research Telescope at Hida Observatory, Kyoto University, and full-disk integrated extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra taken by the Extreme ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The Sun-as-a-star Hα spectra showed blueshifted absorption corresponding to the filament eruption. Furthermore, the EVE O v 629.7 Å spectra showed blueshifted brightening, which can also be attributed to the filament eruption. Even when the blueshifted absorption became almost invisible in the Sun-as-a-star Hα spectra, the O v blueshifted brightening up to −400 km s−1 was still clearly visible. This result indicates that even when the shifted components—which are expected to originate from stellar eruptions—become almost invisible in the spatially integrated stellar Hα spectra, the erupting materials may still be present and observable in EUV spectra. Additionally, the Sun-as-a-star Hα and O v spectra exhibited redshifted absorption and brightening, respectively, during the decay phase of the flare. These components probably originate from the post-flare loops, providing clues to the multitemperature nature of the post-flare loops in the spatially integrated observation. Our Sun-as-a-star results suggest that the combination of Hα and EUV lines allows the investigation of the multitemperature structure and temporal development of stellar active phenomena even in spatially integrated spectra.

Full Velocities and Propagation Directions of Coronal Mass Ejections Inferred from Simultaneous Full-disk Imaging and Sun-as-a-star Spectroscopic Observations

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are violent ejections of magnetized plasma from the Sun that can trigger geomagnetic storms, endanger satellite operations, and destroy electrical infrastructures on the Earth. After systematically searching Sun-as-a-star spectra observed by the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) from 2010 May to 2022 May, we identified eight CMEs associated with flares and filament eruptions by analyzing the blue-wing asymmetry of the O iii 52.58 nm line profiles. Combined with images simultaneously taken by the 30.4 nm channel of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board SDO, the full velocity and propagation direction for each of the eight CMEs are derived. We find a strong correlation between geomagnetic indices (Kp and Dst) and the angle between the CME propagation direction and the Sun–Earth line, suggesting that Sun-as-a-star spectroscopic observations at extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths can potentially help to improve the prediction accuracy of the geoeffectiveness of CMEs. Moreover, an analysis of synthesized long-exposure Sun-as-a-star spectra implies that it is possible to detect CMEs from other stars through blue-wing asymmetries or blueshifts of spectral lines.

Fast prograde coronal flows in solar active regions

ABSTRACT We report the discovery and characterization of high-speed (>100 km s−1) horizontal flows in solar active regions, making use of the Sun-as-a-star spectroscopy in the range 5–105 nm provided by the EVE (Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment) spectrometers on the Solar Dynamics Observatory. These apparent flows are persistent on time-scales of days, and are well observed in lines of Mg x, Si xii, and Fe xvi for example. They are prograde, as evidenced directly by blueshifts/redshifts peaking at the east/west limb passages of isolated active regions. The high-speed flow behaviour does not depend upon active-region latitude or solar cycle, with similar behaviour in Cycles 24 and 25.

Sun-as-a-star Spectroscopic Observations of the Line-of-sight Velocity of a Solar Eruption on 2021 October 28

The propagation direction and true velocity of a solar coronal mass ejection, which are among the most decisive factors for its geo-effectiveness, are difficult to determine through single-perspective imaging observations. Here we show that Sun-as-a-star spectroscopic observations, together with imaging observations, could allow us to solve this problem. Using observations of the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory, we found clear blueshifted secondary emission components in extreme-ultraviolet spectral lines during a solar eruption on 2021 October 28. From simultaneous imaging observations, we found that the secondary components are caused by a mass ejection from the flare site. We estimated the line-of-sight (LOS) velocity of the ejecta from both the double Gaussian fitting method and the red-blue asymmetry analysis. The results of both methods agree well with each other, giving an average LOS velocity of the plasma of ∼423 km s−1. From the 304 Å image series taken by the Extreme ultraviolet Imager onboard the Solar Terrestrial Relation Observatory-A (STEREO-A) spacecraft, we estimated the plane-of-sky velocity from the STEREO-A viewpoint to be around 587 km s−1. The full velocity of the bulk motion of the ejecta was then computed by combining the imaging and spectroscopic observations, which turns out to be around 596 km s−1 with an angle of 42.°4 to the west of the Sun–Earth line and 16.°0 south to the ecliptic plane.

Thermospheric Composition and Solar EUV Flux From the Global‐Scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) Mission

AbstractObservations of far‐ultraviolet (FUV) dayglow by the Global‐scale Observations of Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission provide a new opportunity to monitor relative composition changes in the upper atmosphere as well as solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) variability. Relative composition changes are quantified by ΣO/N2, the column density ratio of atomic oxygen to molecular nitrogen, while QEUV provides a measure of the solar EUV energy flux from 1 to 45 nm into the upper atmosphere. This spectral range provides the ionizing radiation which ultimately results in FUV airglow emission produced by photodissociation and photoelectron impact. The quantities ΣO/N2 and QEUV are derived from GOLD FUV observations through lookup tables that are constructed using a first‐principles photoelectron transport model. The two FUV emissions used are O I 135.6 nm and the N2 Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield (LBH) bands. We present an overview of the theoretical basis for the algorithms and practical considerations for application to GOLD data. The effects of uncertainties in electron impact cross sections, off‐nadir viewing, and instrument artifacts are reviewed. We also discuss GOLD Level 1C DAY, Level 2 data products ON2 and QEUV, and present representative samples of each.

PROBA2 LYRA Occultations: Thermospheric Temperature and Composition, Sensitivity to EUV Forcing, and Comparisons With Mars

AbstractA method for retrieving temperature and composition from 150 to 350 km in Earth's thermosphere using total number density measurements made via extreme ultraviolet (EUV) solar occultations by the Project for OnBoard Autonomy 2/Large Yield Radiometer (PROBA2/LYRA) instrument is presented. Systematic and random uncertainties are calculated and found to be less than 5% for the temperature measurements and 5%–20% for the composition measurements. Regression coefficients relating both temperature and the [O]/[N2] abundance ratio with EUV irradiance at 150, 275, and 350 km are reported. Additionally, it is shown that the altitude where [O] equals [N2] decreases with increasing solar EUV irradiance, an effect attributed to thermal expansion. Temperatures from 2010 to 2017 are compared with estimates from the MSIS empirical model and show good agreement at the dawn terminator but LYRA is markedly cooler at the dusk terminator, with the MSIS‐LYRA temperature difference increasing with solar activity. Anthropogenic cooling can explain this discrepancy at periods of lower solar activity, but the divergence of temperature with increasing solar activity remains unexplained. LYRA measurements of the exospheric temperature sensitivity to EUV irradiance are compared with contemporaneous measurements made at Mars, showing that the exospheric temperature at Mars is approximately half as sensitive to EUV variability as that of Earth.

Energy partition in a confined flare with an extreme-ultraviolet late phase

Aims. In this paper, we reanalyze the M1.2 confined flare with a large extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) late phase on 2011 September 9, with a focus on its energy partition. Methods. The flare was observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The three-dimensional (3D) magnetic fields of the active region 11283 prior to the flare were obtained using nonlinear force free field modeling and the vector magnetograms observed by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the SDO. Properties of the nonthermal electrons injected into the chromosphere were obtained from the hard X-ray observations of the Ramaty Hight Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). Soft X-ray fluxes of the flare were recorded by the GOES spacecraft. Irradiance in 1−70 Å and 70−370 Å were measured by the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) on board the SDO. We calculated various energy components of the flare. Results. The radiation (∼5.4 × 1030 erg) in 1−70 Å is nearly eleven times larger than the radiation in 70−370 Å, and is nearly 180 times larger than the radiation in 1−8 Å. The peak thermal energy of the post-flare loops is estimated to be (1.7−1.8) × 1030 erg based on a simplified schematic cartoon. Based on previous results of the enthalpy-based thermal evolution of loops (EBTEL) simulation, the energy inputs in the main flaring loops and late-phase loops are (1.5−3.8) × 1029 erg and 7.7 × 1029 erg, respectively. The nonthermal energy ((1.7−2.2) × 1030 erg) of the flare-accelerated electrons is comparable to the peak thermal energy and is sufficient to provide the energy input of the main flaring loops and late-phase loops. The magnetic free energy (9.1 × 1031 erg) before flare is large enough to provide the heating requirement and radiation, indicating that the magnetic free energy is sufficient to power the flare.

Ionospheric response to solar extreme ultraviolet radiation variations: comparison based on CTIPe model simulations and satellite measurements

Abstract. The ionospheric total electron content (TEC) provided by the International GNSS Service (IGS) and the TEC simulated by the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics (CTIPe) model have been used to investigate the delayed ionospheric response against solar flux and its trend during the years 2011 to 2013. The analysis of the distinct low-latitude and midlatitude TEC response over 15∘ E shows a better correlation of observed TEC and the solar radio flux index F10.7 in the Southern Hemisphere compared to the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, a significant hemispheric asymmetry is observed. The ionospheric delay estimated using model-simulated TEC is in good agreement with the delay estimated for observed TEC against the flux measured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) Variability Experiment (EVE). The average delay for the observed (modeled) TEC is 17(16) h. The average delay calculated for observed and modeled TEC is 1 and 2 h longer in the Southern Hemisphere compared to the Northern Hemisphere. Furthermore, the observed TEC is compared with the modeled TEC simulated using the SOLAR2000 and EUVAC flux models within CTIPe over northern and southern hemispheric grid points. The analysis suggests that TEC simulated using the SOLAR2000 flux model overestimates the observed TEC, which is not the case when using the EUVAC flux model.

An investigation of flare emissions at multiple wavelengths

We report multi-wavelength observations of four solar flares on 2014 July 07. We firstly select these flares according to the soft X-ray (SXR) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emissions recorded by the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment and Geostationary Orbiting Environmental Satellites. Then their locations and geometries are identified from the full-disk images measured by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), and the time delays among the light curves in different channels are identified. The electron number densities are estimated using the differential emission measure method. We find that three of four flares show strong emissions in SXR channels and high temperature (>6 MK) EUV wavelengths during the impulsive phase, i.e., AIA 131 Å and 94 Å, and then they emit peak radiation subsequently in the middle temperature (∼0.6−3 MK) EUV channels. Moreover, they last for a long time and have smaller electron densities, which are probably driven by the interaction of hot diffuse flare loops. Only one flare emits radiation at almost the same time in all the observed wavelengths, lasts for a relatively short time, and has a larger electron density. It is also accompanied by a type III radio burst. The bright emission at the EUV channel could be corresponding to the associated erupting filament.

Validation of computed extreme ultraviolet emission spectra during solar flares

X-rays and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emissions from solar flares rapidly change the physical composition of the Earth’s thermosphere and ionosphere, thereby causing space weather phenomena such as communication failures. Numerous empirical and physical models have been developed to estimate the effects of flare emissions on the Earth’s upper atmosphere. We verified the reproduction of the flare emission spectra using a one-dimensional hydrodynamic calculation and the CHIANTI atomic database. To validate the proposed model, we used the observed EUV spectra obtained by the Extreme ultraviolet variability experiment (EVE) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We examined the “EUV flare time-integrated irradiance” and “EUV flare line rise time” of the EUV emissions for 21 events by comparing the calculation results of the proposed model and observed EUV spectral data. The proposed model successfully reproduced the EUV flare time-integrated irradiance of the Fe VIII 131 Å, Fe XVIII 94 Å, and Fe XX133 Å, as well as the 55–355 Å and 55–135 Å bands. For the EUV flare line rise time, there was an acceptable correlation between the proposed model estimations and observations for all Fe flare emission lines. These results demonstrate that the proposed model can reproduce the EUV flare emission spectra from the emitting plasma with a relatively high formation temperature. This indicates that the physics-based model is effective for the accurate reproduction of the EUV spectral irradiance.

Evidence Against Carbonization of the Thin-Film Filters of the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory.

In spite of strict limits on outgassing from organic materials, some spacecraft instruments making long-term measurements of solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation still suffer significant degradation. While such measures have reduced the rate of degradation, they have not completely eliminated it in some cases. For example, in five years, the aluminum filters used in the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) instruments onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) suffered losses exceeding 40% at 30.4 nm. Comparing those losses with the negligible losses of nearby zirconium filters on the same instruments indicated that the problem was not due to carbonization on the Sun-facing side of the filter. To investigate whether the loss was due to carbon deposition on the downstream face of the Al filter, we exposed the backsides of Al and Zr filters to EUV in the presence of a volatile organic solvent in the laboratory and concluded that this could not be the cause. Given that the residual gas composition in the SDO spacecraft likely has water vapor as well as organics, these findings suggest that the transmission loss in the Al filter originated with oxidation caused by UV-activated adsorbed water.

In the Trenches of the Solar–Stellar Connection. II. Extreme Ultraviolet Flux–Flux Correlations across Solar Cycle 24

Abstract Solar extreme-ultraviolet (EUV: 100–1100 Å) radiation rises in the 104 K upper chromosphere and hotter layers extending into the million-degree corona. Much of the EUV normally is not visible in other stars owing to interstellar H i absorption. The present study derived power-law scaling relations for EUV species based on irradiance spectra from the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory, over the rise and fall of recent sunspot Cycle 24. These relations not only can test solar models, but also allow “invisible” stellar EUV emissions to be reconstructed from more accessible ultraviolet (UV: 1100–3000 Å) proxies, with implications for heating, ionization, and erosion of exoplanet atmospheres by Sun-like hosts. Hot EUV coronal tracers like Si xii 520 Å (8 MK) show strongly curved power laws relative to chromospheric H i 1025 Å Lyβ, as was seen in Paper I for 0.2–2 keV soft X-rays versus Mg ii 2800 Å. The brightest EUV feature, He ii 303 Å, exhibits a nearly 1:1 correlation with Lyβ (and H i 1215 Lyα, but slightly steeper than 1:1 relative to Mg ii). The second brightest, C iii 977 Å, has a shallower power-law slope of ∼0.5. Correlations for low first ionization potential species, such as Mg, Si, and Fe, might be affected by cycle-dependent chemical fractionation. Parameterized flux–flux relations are presented for most of the strong EUV (and selected UV) features, together with fluxes of individual lines and broad EUV wavelength bands at the highs and lows of Cycle 24.

The Flare Irradiance Spectral Model‐Version 2 (FISM2)

AbstractThe Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM) is an important tool for estimating solar variability for a myriad of space weather research studies and applications, and FISM Version 2 (FISM2) recently was released. FISM2 is an empirical model of the solar ultraviolet irradiance created to fill spectral and temporal gaps in the satellite observations. FISM2 estimates solar ultraviolet irradiance variations due to the solar cycle, solar rotations, and solar flares. The major improvement provided by FISM2 is that it is based on multiple new, more accurate instruments that have now captured almost a full solar cycle and thousands of flares, drastically improving the accuracy of the modeled FISM2 solar irradiance spectra. Specifically, these new instruments are the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE)/X‐ray Photometer System (XPS), and SORCE/Solar Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE). FISM2 is also improved to 0.1‐nm spectral bins across the same 0‐ to 190‐nm spectral range and is already being used in research to estimate space weather changes due to solar irradiance variability in planetary thermospheres and ionospheres.

Statistical and Observational Research on Solar Flare EUV Spectra and Geometrical Features

Abstract We performed statistical analysis on the flare emission data to examine parameters related to the flare extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) spectra. This study used the data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite X-ray Sensors to determine the fundamental flare parameters. The relationship between soft X-ray data and EUV emission data observed by the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) MEGS-A was investigated for 50 events. The results showed the hotter Fe line emissions have strong correlation with soft X-ray data in many cases. However, our statistical study revealed that EUV flare peak flux of Fe xv, Fe xvi and He ii lines have weak correlation with soft X-ray peak flux. In EUV line light curves, there was time difference in peak time, however the tendency to reach the peak in order from the hotter line to cooler line was not so clear. These results indicate that the temporal evolution of EUV emission can be roughly explained by soft X-ray data. However, the time changes of temperature and density distributions in the flare loop must be needed for accurate reproduction. Moreover, we compared the geometrical features of solar flares observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the SDO with the fundamental flare parameters for 32 events. The ribbon distance strongly correlated with both soft X-ray flare rise and decay times. This results indicate that the geometrical feature is essential parameter for predicting flare emission duration.

Preflare very long-periodic pulsations observed in Hα emission before the onset of a solar flare

Context. Very long-periodic pulsations during preflare phases (preflare-VLPs) have been detected in the full-disk solar soft X-ray (SXR) flux. They may be regarded as precursors to solar flares and may help us better understand the trigger mechanism of solar flares. Aims. In this Letter, we report a preflare-VLP event prior to the onset of an M1.1 circular-ribbon flare on 2015 October 16. It was simultaneously observed in Hα, SXR, and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths. Methods. The SXR fluxes in 1−8 Å and 1−70 Å were recorded by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment, respectively; the light curves in Hα and EUV 211 Å were integrated over a small local region, which were measured by the 1 m New Vacuum Solar Telescope and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), respectively. The preflare-VLP is identified as the repeat and quasi-periodic pulses in light curves during preflare phase. The quasi-periodicity can be determined from the Fourier power spectrum with Markov chain Monte Carlo-based Bayesian. Results. Seven well-developed pulses are found before the onset of an M1.1 circular-ribbon flare. They are firstly seen in the local light curve in Hα emission and then discovered in full-disk SXR fluxes in GOES 1−8 Å and ESP 1−70 Å, as well as the local light curve in AIA 211 Å. These well-developed pulses can be regarded as the preflare-VLP, which might be modulated by LRC-circuit oscillation in the current-carrying plasma loop. The quasi-period is estimated to be ∼9.3 min. Conclusions. We present the first report of a preflare-VLP event in the local Hα line and EUV wavelength, which could be considered a precursor of a solar flare. This finding should therefore prove useful for the prediction of solar flares, especially for powerful flares.

Nowcast of an EUV dynamic spectrum during solar flares

In addition to X-rays, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) rays radiated from solar flares can cause serious problems, such as communication failures and satellite drag. Therefore, methods for forecasting EUV dynamic spectra during flares are urgently required. Recently, however, owing to the lack of instruments, EUV dynamic spectra have rarely been observed. Hence, we develop a new method that converts the soft X-ray light curve observed during large flare events into an EUV dynamic spectrum by using the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly images, a numerical simulation, and atomic database. The simulation provides the solution for a coronal loop that is heated by a strong flare, and the atomic database calculates its dynamic spectrum, including X-ray and EUV irradiances. The coefficients needed for the conversion can be calculated by comparing the observed soft X-ray light curve with that of the simulation. We apply our new method to three flares that occurred in the active region 12673 on September 06, 2017. The results show similarities to those of the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model, and reconstruct some of the EUV peaks observed by the EUV Variability Experiment onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Variations of Solar EUV Radiation Fluxes in Hydrogen Lines from Observations by the TIMED Satellite in Cycle 23 and by SDO/EVE in Cycle 24

Studies in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray ranges of the solar spectrum are important due to the active role of radiation of these ranges in the formation of the Earth's ionosphere. Photons of the EUV range are completely absorbed in the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere and induce the excitation, dissociation, and ionization of its different components and, finally, the atmospheric heating. From the archive data of the EUV Variability Experiment of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO/EVE), we formed series of diurnal values of the background fluxes radiated beyond flares in the EUV lines HeII (30.4 nm), HeI (58.4 nm), CIII (97.7 nm), and FeXVIII (9.4 nm) in cycle 24 (from 2010 to 2017). These fluxes are compared to the corresponding values of the radio flux F10.7 at a wavelength of 10.7 cm and the background radiation flux F0.1-0.8 in the X-ray range between 0.1 and 0.8 nm measured onboard the GOES-15 satellite of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system. Comparative analysis has shown that the solar radiation in individual lines of the EUV range and the fluxes F10.7 and F0.1-0.8 are closely interrelated.

The Multi-instrument (EVE-RHESSI) DEM for Solar Flares, and Implications for Nonthermal Emission

Abstract Solar flare X-ray spectra are typically dominated by thermal bremsstrahlung emission in the soft X-ray (≲10 keV) energy range; for hard X-ray energies (≳30 keV), emission is typically nonthermal from beams of electrons. The low-energy extent of nonthermal emission has only been loosely quantified. It has been difficult to obtain a lower limit for a possible nonthermal cutoff energy due to the significantly dominant thermal emission. Here we use solar flare data from the extreme ultraviolet Variability Experiment on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory and X-ray data from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Spectroscopic Imager to calculate the Differential Emission Measure (DEM). This improvement over the isothermal approximation and any single-instrument DEM helps to resolve ambiguities in the range where thermal and nonthermal emission overlap, and to provide constraints on the low-energy cutoff. In the model, thermal emission is from a DEM that is parameterized as multiple Gaussians in Log(T). Nonthermal emission results from a photon spectrum obtained using a thick-target emission model. Spectra for both instruments are fit simultaneously in a self-consistent manner. Our results have been obtained using a sample of 52 large (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite X- and M-class) solar flares observed between 2011 and 2013. It turns out that it is often possible to determine low-energy cutoffs early (in the first two minutes) during large flares. Cutoff energies at these times are typically low, less than 10 keV, when assuming coronal abundances. With photospheric abundances, cutoff energies are typically ∼10 keV higher, in the ∼17–25 keV range.

Diagnostics of non-thermal-distributions from solar flare EUV line spectra

AbstractSpectral line intensities observed by the Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) during 2012 March 9 M6.3 flare were used to diagnose a presence of a non-thermal electron distribution represented by a κ-distribution. The diagnosed electron densities ($\approx 2 \times {10^{11}}{\rm{c}}{{\rm{m}}^{ - 3}}$) are affected only a little by the presence of the non-thermal distribution, and are within the uncertainties of observation. On the other hand, the temperature diagnostics based on the line ratios involving different ionization degrees is strongly affected by the type of the electron distribution. The distribution functions diagnosed from relative Fe line intensities demonstrate the presence of strongly non-thermal distributions during the impulsive phase of the flare and later their gradual thermalization.