Fe XXIV Emission in Solar Flares Observed with the NRL/ATM XUV Slitless Spectrograph

Abstract

During the Skylab Mission, the NRL slitless spectrograph photographed a number of flares in the 170–600 Å region with a spatial resolution approaching 2″. At flare maximum the 2s2S1/2— — 2p2P1/2, 3/2transitions of Fe XXIV are present, and show the location of the (approx.) 20 × 106deg plasma with respect to the surface magnetic field and chromospheric (He iiemissions. Three examples are discussed (two only briefly).In the small, intense disk flare of 1973, August 9 the high temperature region appears at the foot of a low altitude arch. The estimated electron density is 5 × 1011cm–3.In the limb flare of 1974, January 15 the hot X-ray emitting component is at a very low altitude compared to the flare loops.In the impulsive double ribbon flare of 1973, June 15 the Fe XXIV emission is centered over the neutral line, forming a bridge-like structure between magnetic regions of opposite polarity. The estimated electron density is 5 × 1010cm–3.The Fe XXIV emission was visible 8 to 10 min as compared with a calculated cooling time by conduction of only 5 min. The lengthened life of the emission may be associated with the observed ‘turbulence’, which inhibits the heat conduction, or alternatively, with a slower energy release prolonged beyond the end of the burst phase.