Reconnection Nanojets in an Erupting Solar Filament with Unprecedented High Speeds

Abstract Solar nanojets are small-scale jets generated by component magnetic reconnection, characterized by collimated plasma motion perpendicular to the reconnecting magnetic field lines. As an indicator of nanoflare events, they are believed to play a significant role in coronal heating. Using high-resolution extreme-ultraviolet imaging observations from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager on board the Solar Orbiter mission, we identified 27 nanojets in an erupting filament on 2024 September 30. They are potentially associated with the untwisting of magnetic field lines of the filament. Most nanojets exhibit velocities around 450 km s −1 , with the fastest reaching approximately 800 km s −1 , significantly higher than previously reported but comparable to the typical coronal Alfvén speed. To our knowledge, these are the highest speeds ever reported for small-scale jets (less than ∼1 Mm wide) in the solar atmosphere. Our findings suggest that these nanoflare-type phenomena can be more dynamic than previously recognized and may contribute to the energy release process of solar eruptions and the heating of coronal active regions.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Published
2025-05-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/add33a
Citations
9
Primary Topic
Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
10.39
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article

Reconnection Nanojets in an Erupting Solar Filament with Unprecedented High Speeds

Hui Tian, D. Berghmans, Yadan Duan, Emil Kraaikamp et al.
9 citations
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
10.39
article

Reconnection Nanojets in an Erupting Solar Filament with Unprecedented High Speeds

Hui Tian, D. Berghmans, Yadan Duan, Emil Kraaikamp, Tom Van Doorsselaere, Yuhang Gao, Hechao Chen
article en
9 citations

Abstract

Abstract Solar nanojets are small-scale jets generated by component magnetic reconnection, characterized by collimated plasma motion perpendicular to the reconnecting magnetic field lines. As an indicator of nanoflare events, they are believed to play a significant role in coronal heating. Using high-resolution extreme-ultraviolet imaging observations from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager on board the Solar Orbiter mission, we identified 27 nanojets in an erupting filament on 2024 September 30. They are potentially associated with the untwisting of magnetic field lines of the filament. Most nanojets exhibit velocities around 450 km s −1 , with the fastest reaching approximately 800 km s −1 , significantly higher than previously reported but comparable to the typical coronal Alfvén speed. To our knowledge, these are the highest speeds ever reported for small-scale jets (less than ∼1 Mm wide) in the solar atmosphere. Our findings suggest that these nanoflare-type phenomena can be more dynamic than previously recognized and may contribute to the energy release process of solar eruptions and the heating of coronal active regions.

The Astrophysical Journal LettersVol. 985(1)
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
10.39
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