Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Rates in the Solar Corona via Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging

International Journal of Physics | Vol. 5, No. 2, February 2014 | pp. 9–16

DOI: 10.46882/2014/IJP/000046

Research Article

Title: Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Rates in the Solar Corona via Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging

Names of Authors: G. R. Davies¹, M. T. Al-Saeed²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, United Kingdom; ²Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Safat 13060, Kuwait

Abstract: Magnetic reconnection drives explosive energy release events in the solar atmosphere, accelerating particles and heating plasma to millions of Kelvin. This paper analyzes fluid velocity mapping and quantifies local magnetic reconnection rates within a solar flare event observed in the solar corona. We utilized high-resolution data from space-based extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imaging channels tracking iron ion emission lines (Fe XIV and Fe XVI). Differential affine velocity estimator algorithms were deployed to construct two-dimensional velocity fields of plasma inflows and outflows near the reconnection site. The empirical measurements reveal systematic plasma inflows moving at 15.4 km/s, while directed outflows reach velocities of 245.0 km/s. Based on these transport metrics, the local dimensionless reconnection rate was calculated to range between 0.05 and 0.08. These values closely align with fast reconnection regimes predicted by the Petschek theoretical framework. Spectroscopic line-broadening analysis indicates localized turbulent temperatures peaking at 8.5 MK within the current sheet boundary. This high temperature confirms intense localized viscous dissipation. These imaging diagnostics provide direct observational constraints for refining magnetohydrodynamic models of coronal heating mechanisms.

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

Manuscript Timeline: Received: November 05, 2013; Revised: December 18, 2013; Accepted: January 10, 2014; Published: February 14, 2014

Citation: Davies, G. R., & Al-Saeed, M. T. (2014). Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Rates in the Solar Corona via Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging. International Journal of Physics, 5(2), 9–16.

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