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[18.03] Time-Evolution of a White Light Flare: Observations in Optical, Microwave, Soft X-Ray, H alpha

E. Lee (Harvard Univ.), J. Li (Univ. of Hawaii)

Since Richard Carrington's 1859 discovery of White Light Flares (WLFs), only fifty other WLFs have been observed. While the predicted frequency was 15.5 (± 4.5) per year for solar cycle 20, the lack of sensitive instruments makes WLFs extremely rare. Past observations suggest that WLFs do not accompany all high-energy events, and that some specific initial conditions and mechanisms produce WLFs.

To analyze this claim, we found a WLF by combing through a list of X class events. This X5.6 flare occurred at AR 9415 on April 6th, 2001 (UT 19:14) and was accompanied by a halo CME. After confirming this event to be a WLF using Imaging Vector Magnetograph data, we found microwave, EUV, optical, soft X-ray, and magnetogram data. Our data suggests that this WLF erupted through the same mechanisms as the standard flare models, but was more energetic.

This work was funded by the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates program.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.