Research Projects

Solar flares are powerful explosions in the solar system, releasing energy stored in nonpotential magnetic fields. They cause plasma heating, enhancing soft X-rays and longer-wavelength emissions. These flares, often associated with Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), drive hazardous space weather. An Indo-German research cooperation aims to investigate magnetic reconnection, particle acceleration, and plasma heating using X-ray imaging and spectroscopy. The project aims to characterize thermal and non-thermal particle populations during flares. The study aims to improve the characterization of thermal plasma and accelerated electrons in solar flares using X-ray spectroscopy and imaging with STIX and XSM. The STIX and XSM instruments will provide high-energy coverage and imaging capabilities, while XSM will offer superior energy resolution and coverage of the low-energy part of the spectrum. The research will also investigate the magnetic configuration of activity sites and their role in activating magnetic reconnection. The study will also explore the stereoscopic X-ray observations of footpoint-occulted events, detailed case studies of major eruptive flares, and the precursor phase of solar flares. The research will also analyze white-light observations of CMEs obtained from space-borne coronagraphs.