Observations and Physical Mechanisms of Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections
Jie Zhang
School of Physics, Astronomy and Computational Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
Abstract: Solar eruptions, in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are the most energetic phenomena in the solar system. Solar eruptions are the driver of severe space weather that may affect satellite operation, communication, navigation and other advanced modern technological systems. The research of solar eruptions is not only of significant scientific interest, but also of great practical usage. In this talk, I will present the state-of-the-art observations of solar eruptions from the advanced Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) spacecraft. I will further discuss the physical mechanisms of solar eruptions, with a focus on the two contrasting paradigms: the non-ideal MHD process of magnetic reconnection versus the ideal process of magnetic flux rope instability. The dynamic and thermal properties of magnetic flux ropes will be presented in detail. The observations and theory regarding the CME propagation in the interplanetary space will be briefly discussed.
