Solar active region physical parameters inferred from a thermal cyclotron line and soft X-ray spectral lines

• Published in: The Astrophysical journal Vol. 322; no. 2; pp. 1044 - 1051
• Main Authors: Lang, Kenneth R., Willson, Robert F., Smith, Kermit L., Strong, Keith T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Legacy CDMS University of Chicago Press 15.11.1987
• Subjects: Astronomy; Corona. Coronal loops, streamers, and holes; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Solar Physics; Solar system; Solar corona; Radiation mechanism; Radio radiation; Solar magnetic field; X ray emission
• DOI: 10.1086/165799
• ISSN: 0004-637X

Simultaneous high-resolution observations of coronal loops were made at the 20-cm wavelength with the VLA and at soft X-ray wavelengths with the SMM FCS. The images obtained at both wavelengths have nearly identical sizes and ellipsoidal shapes, with the emission stretching between and across regions of opposite magnetic polarity in the underlying photosphere. The results indicate that the radiation at 20 cm and soft X-ray wavelengths originates from the same region, and that 20 cm maps can image X-ray coronal loops. The X-ray spectral lines were used to obtain values of electron temperature, T(e), of about 2.6 x 10 to the 6th K and electron density, N(e), of about 3.1 x 10 to the 9th/cu cm. These parameters were used to show that the layers emitting 20-cm radiation can be optically thick to either thermal bremsstrahlung or thermal gyroresonance radiation, depending upon unknown but plausible values of loop thickness, magnetic scale height, and magnetic field strength.