Simple schematic of SB-Sun magnetic connectivity. (a) Point connectivity: a near-Sun SB recorded at point P_SB is magnetically connected to point P_sol on the Sun or in the low solar atmosphere (blue ‘X’). The derived solar connection point has significant uncertainty (dashed circle). (b) Area connectivity: a near-Sun SB with a cross-sectional area A_SB is mapped to an area A_sol in the low solar atmosphere, where a potential SB trigger operates, via the flux tube passing between these two areas. Both plots are not to scale and do not consider the Parker spiral.