International Journal of Physics | Vol. 16, No. 9, September 2025 | pp. 65–72
DOI: 10.46882/2025/IJP/000185
Research Article
Title: Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Rates in the Solar Corona via Sub-Arcsecond EUV Diagnostics
Names of Authors: G. R. Davies¹, A. M. El-Chemali²
Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
² Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Abstract: High-temperature 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 a major 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: May 14, 2025; Revised: July 08, 2025; Accepted: August 03, 2025; Published: September 10, 2025
Citation: Davies, G. R., & El-Chemali, A. M. (2025). Fluid Velocity Mapping and Magnetic Reconnection Rates in the Solar Corona via Sub-Arcsecond EUV Diagnostics. International Journal of Physics, 16(9), 65–72.
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