June 24, 2011, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

June 24, 2011, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Hard X-ray observations of magnetic turbulence, acceleration and electron transport in a dense flaring loop

Dr. Eduard Kontar, University ofGlasgow, Scotland

Magnetic turbulence is a crucial but poorly understood element of many processes involved in solar flares, including magnetic reconnection, particle acceleration, and transport. Using Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) observations and the X-ray visibility analysis, we determine the spatial and spectral distributions of energetic electrons in and near the acceleration site. We show that the cross-field transport is consistent with the presence of magnetic turbulence in the loop, where electrons are accelerated. This allows to estimate the level and energetics of magnetic fluctuations in the acceleration site of the solar flare. In the talk, I will discuss this first observational evidence of magnetic turbulence in the flare acceleration site and the implications for electron acceleration in solar flares.