Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Dynamics in Solar Flares via Space-Based Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

International Journal of Physics | Vol. 7, No. 2, February 2016 | pp. 9–16

DOI: 10.46882/2016/IJP/000070

Research Article

Title: Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Dynamics in Solar Flares via Space-Based Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

Names of Authors: G. R. Davies¹, F. E. Silva²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK; ²Department of Applied Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: Magnetic reconnection is the primary physical process driving explosive energy releases in solar atmospheric plasma, heating material to millions of Kelvin and accelerating coronal mass ejections. This paper evaluates fluid velocity mapping and quantifies local magnetic reconnection rates within an M-class solar flare event. We utilized high-resolution spectroscopic data from space-based extreme ultraviolet (EUV) channels tracking highly ionized iron lines (Fe XVI and Fe XXIV). Differential affine velocity estimator algorithms were deployed to construct two-dimensional velocity fields of plasma inflows and outflows surrounding the current sheet. The empirical measurements reveal systematic plasma inflows moving at 18.2 km/s, while directed outflows reach velocities of 285.0 km/s along the coronal loop headers. Based on these transport metrics, the local dimensionless reconnection rate was calculated to range between 0.05 and 0.08. These values closely match fast reconnection regimes predicted by the Petschek theoretical framework modified by localized turbulent transport. Spectroscopic line-broadening analysis indicates localized turbulent temperatures peaking at 9.2 MK within the diffusion region, confirming intense localized viscous dissipation. These imaging diagnostics provide direct observational parameters for refining magnetohydrodynamic models of solar coronal heating loops.

Keywords: Solar corona; magnetic reconnection; extreme ultraviolet; plasma dynamics; solar flares; magnetohydrodynamics

Manuscript Timeline: Received: November 02, 2015; Revised: December 18, 2015; Accepted: January 11, 2016; Published: February 08, 2016

Citation: Davies, G. R., & Silva, F. E. (2016). Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Dynamics in Solar Flares via Space-Based Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscopy. International Journal of Physics, 7(2), 9–16.

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