A NEW MODEL FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF FLARE ENERGIES

A new model is presented for the distribution of solar (and stellar) h are energies. Flares are assumed to result from energy release in mult iple reconnecting current sheets (RCSs) in the solar corona. The model takes into account both the dynamical evolution of separate RCSs and their interaction by virtue of coalescence. Thus an attempt is made to generalize previously suggested avalanche and RCS models for the flar e frequency distribution. The number of RCSs is not specified and the strength of their interaction is governed by a coalescence parameter. Under quite general assumptions, the resulting distribution can be app roximated by a power law with the slope 3/2 < alpha < 7/4, as required by numerous observations. A softer distribution of numerous 'nanoflar es', responsible for the coronal heating, is also possible under suita ble choice of parameters.