In this multi-instrument paper, we search for evidence of sustained magnetic reconnection far beyond the impulsive phase of the X8.2-class solar flare on 2017 September 10.

The low latitude ionosphere is one of the dynamic regions of the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The morphology of this region is controlled by radiative and coupled chemical, neutral and plasma transport processes.

This work reveals the pathway through which the lower atmosphere impacts the ionosphere weather at mid and low latitudes.

The Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore the (thermal) interface between the chromosphere, transition region, and the coronal plasma observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).