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Intrinsic magnetic discontinuities and solar X‐ray emission
Author(s) -
Parker E. N.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl017i011p02055
Subject(s) - nanoflares , classification of discontinuities , physics , astrophysics , magnetic reconnection , corona (planetary geology) , magnetic field , computational physics , coronal mass ejection , solar wind , astrobiology , quantum mechanics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , venus
The fundamental theorem of magnetostatic equilibrium predicts that the bipolar magnetic fields of active regions on the Sun contain tangential discontinuities as an intrinsic part of their equilibrium. It appears that rapid reconnection at these many tangential discontinuities (nanoflares) is the primary source of heat that produces the X‐ray emitting corona. The X‐ray corona Is then a cloud of nanoflares.