Shear Flows and Magnetic Reconfiguration in a C-Class Solar Flare

Project Description:

Solar flares are explosive energy-release events driven by the restructuring of magnetic fields in solar active regions. They often occur near polarity inversion lines, where oppositely directed magnetic fields meet, and are closely linked to magnetic shear and changes in magnetic connectivity. This project investigates the timing and local magnetic environment of a C-class solar flare observed on 1 July 2012, with particular focus on the magnetic reconfiguration associated with the flare. The student will use GOES soft X-ray data, SDO/AIA imaging, and selected magnetic diagnostics from SDO/HMI SHARP products to examine how flare brightening relates spatially and temporally to polarity inversion lines and nearby shear-flow structures. The project follows the flare from the photosphere to the lower corona in order to better understand how magnetic restructuring is expressed across multiple layers of the solar atmosphere.

Research Area:

Solar Physics

Project Level:

Honours

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(NWU)

Special Requirements:

The student undertaking this project must be well versed in Python. Experience with SunPy will be an advantage.