Description
Bright points (BPs) are ubiquitous, small-scale energetic events with a multithermal nature, typically observed in the chromosphere and closely linked to the photosphere and corona. Their evolution is influenced by plasma dynamics and magnetic interactions.
This work analyzes BP evolution over time, focusing on when they reach peak attribute values. Key characteristics examined include maximum brightness (total and intrinsic), plane-of-sky (POS) speeds, travel distance, acceleration, and area. Our findings show BPs can reach peak brightness and size at almost any point in their lifetime, except the first and final 10th percentiles, likely due to interactions with the surrounding chromosphere. Comparing "Active" and "True" quiet-Sun regions, we find both behave similarly in most aspects, though "Active" BPs are less likely to reach maximum size at mid-lifetime. However, in both regions, BPs most commonly reach peak POS speed at the halfway point, while acceleration occurs before, during, and after this midpoint rather than at the start or end.
We interpret these patterns as evidence that BPs follow arched trajectories, with the halfway point representing the crest, facilitating peak POS speeds. If BPs originate from magnetic reconnection, this likely occurs at a photospheric footpoint, after which the BP moves along a magnetic loop before returning to another footpoint.
