SH51C-4166:
Continuum Emission from a Microflare Kernel Observed by IRIS
Friday, 19 December 2014
Adrian Nigel Daw1, Adam F Kowalski1,2, Jean-Pierre Wuelser3, Gianna Cauzzi4,5, Joel C Allred1 and Steven Christe1, (1)NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States, (2)University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States, (3)Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory, San Jose, CA, United States, (4)INAF-Ossevatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Firenze, Italy, (5)National Solar Observatory, Tucson, AZ, United States
Abstract:
Fits to Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) spectra observed from a bright kernel during the impulsive phase of a solar microflare (GOES class B9) are presented, providing long-sought constraints on the UV/white-light continuum emission during flares. Constraints on beam energy and cross sectional area are provided by cotemporaneous RHESSI and SDO/AIA 1700 A observations, respectively, allowing for comparison of the observed IRIS continuum to calculations of non-thermal electron beam heating using the RADYN radiative-hydrodynamic loop model. Implications for flare energy release are discussed.
