Continuous vector magnetic-field measurements by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) allow us to study magnetic-field properties of many flares. Here, we review new observational aspects of flare magnetism described using SDO data, including statistical properties of magnetic-reconnection fluxes and their rates, magnetic fluxes of flare dimmings, and magnetic-field changes during flares. We summarize how these results, along with statistical studies of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), have improved our understanding of flares and the flare/CME feedback relationship. Finally, we highlight future directions to improve the current state of understanding of solar-flare magnetism using observations.

We present a new high‐resolution empirical model for the ionospheric total electron content (TEC). TEC data are obtained from the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers with a 1° × 1° spatial resolution and 5‐min temporal resolution. The linear regression model is developed at 45°N, 0°E for the years 2000–2019 with 30‐min temporal resolution, unprecedented for typical empirical ionospheric models. The model describes dependency of TEC on solar flux, season, geomagnetic activity, and local time. Parameters describing solar and geomagnetic activity are evaluated. In particular, several options for solar flux input to the model are compared, including the 10.7 cm solar radio flux (F10.7), the Mg II core‐to‐wing ratio, and formulations of the solar extreme ultraviolet flux (EUV). Ultimately, the extreme ultraviolet flux presented by the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model, integrated from 0.05 to 105.05 nm, best represents the solar flux input to the model. TEC time delays to this solar parameter on the order of several days as well as seasonal modulation of the solar flux terms are included. The Ap3 index and its history are used to reflect the influence of geomagnetic activity. The root mean squared error of the model (relative to the mean TEC observed in the 30‐min window) is 1.9539 TECu. A validation of this model for the first 3 months of 2020 shows excellent agreement with data. The new model shows significant improvement over the International Reference Ionosphere 2016 (IRI‐2016) when the two are compared during 2008 and 2012.