Statistics, morphology, and energetics of Ellerman bombs

Abstract

We have performed a detailed analysis of several hundreds Hα Ellerman bombs in the low chromosphere, above an emerging flux region. We find that Ellerman bombs may be small-scale, low-altitude, magnetic reconnection events that heat the low chromosphere in the active region. Their energy content varies between 1027 erg and 1028 erg, typical of sub-flaring activity.