Hanaoka, Yoichiro, High-Energy Electrons in Double-Loop Flares, Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, 51, 483-496 (1999) (ADS)
(click on the image for a larger version)
A "loop-loop" cartoon describing one of the major discoveries of the
Yohkoh [1], together with microwave observations from the Nobeyama
Solar Radio Observatory [2].
The idea is that a compact loop reconnects with a larger-scale one,
producing the flare.
But why should those coronal loops lean together in such a way as to reconnect?
The basic physics of a "loop-loop interaction" remains obscure, though
the Melrose cartoon
describes a theoretical effort.
Please also see the Nakajima
and Nishio cartoons
for other views.
A "loop-loop" cartoon describing one of the major discoveries of the Yohkoh [1], together with microwave observations from the Nobeyama Solar Radio Observatory [2]. The idea is that a compact loop reconnects with a larger-scale one, producing the flare. But why should those coronal loops lean together in such a way as to reconnect? The basic physics of a "loop-loop interaction" remains obscure, though the Melrose cartoon describes a theoretical effort. Please also see the Nakajima and Nishio cartoons for other views.
[1] Yohkoh
[2] Nobeyama.