Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Bruner, E. C., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Bruner, E. C., Jr..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

OSO 8 observational limits to the acoustic coronal heating mechanism

An improved analysis of time-resolved line profiles of the C IV resonance line at 1548 A has been used to test the acoustic wave hypothesis of solar coronal heating. It is shown that the observed motions and brightness fluctuations are consistent with the existence of acoustic waves. Specific account is taken of the effect of photon statistics on the observed velocities, and a test is devised to determine whether the motions represent propagating or evanescent waves. It is found that on the average about as much energy is carried upward as downward such that the net acoustic flux density is statistically consistent with zero. The statistical uncertainty in this null result is three orders of magnitue lower than the flux level needed to heat the corona.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

OSO-8 observations of the impulsive phase of solar flares in the transition-zone and corona

Several solar flares were observed from their onset in C IV 1548.2 A and 1-8 A X-rays using instruments on OSO-8. It is found that impulsive brightening in C IV is often accompanied by redshifts, interpreted as downflows, of the order of 80 km/s. The maximum soft X-ray intensity usually arrives several minutes after the maximum C IV intensity. The most energetic C IV event observed shows a small blueshift just before reaching maximum intensity; estimates of the mass flux associated with this upflow through the transition zone are consistent with the increase of mass in the coronal loops as observed in soft X-rays. Finally, it is suggested that the frequent occurrence of violent dynamical processes at the onset of the flare is associated with the initial energy release mechanism.

Lites, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The Lockheed OSO-8 program. Task 2: Analysis of data from the high resolution ultraviolet spectrometer experiment

The complete set of C 4 time sequences generated by the University of Colorado high resolution ultraviolet spectrometer experiment on OSO-8 were examined in a comprehensive and systematic fashion. As a result a new limit is placed on the acoustic flux passing through the transition zone of the Sun's atmosphere. It is found to be three orders of magnitude too small to heat the corona, and is consistent with zero. In collaborative efforts, the properties of transient C 4 brightenings were examined in considerable detail.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Impulsive EUV bursts observed in C IV with OSO-8

Time sequences of profiles of the 1548 A line of C IV containing 51 EUV bursts observed in or near active regions are analyzed to determine the brightness, Doppler shift and line broadening characteristics of the bursts. The bursts have mean lifetimes of approximately 150 s, and mean increases in brightness at burst maximum of four-fold as observed with a field of view of 2 x 20 arc sec. Mean burst diameters are estimated to be 3 arc sec, or smaller. All but three of the bursts show Doppler shifts with velocities sometimes exceeding 75 km/s; 31 are dominated by red shifts and 17 are dominated by blue shifts. Approximately half of the latter group have red-shifted precursors. The bursts are interpreted as prominence material, such as surges and coronal rain, moving through the field of view of the spectrometer.

Athay, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High-resolution Lyman-alpha filtergrams of the sun

The results of an experiment, conducted jointly by the Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory and the Laboratoire de Physique Stellaire et Planetaire du CNRS, which investigated the transition-region plasma and the geometry of coronal active regions, in relation to models of the high-temperature layers, are presented. A Black Brant rocket was used to obtain 1-arc sec resolution L-alpha pictures of the sun, which revealed small scale features not seen previously at this wavelength, that delineate the geometry of the magnetic field in the chromosphere and in the corona. It is concluded that these observations might provide a new way of observing the upper chromosphere and corona, and that they provide direct evidence of the inhomogeneous character of the chromosphere and of the dominant role of the magnetic field

Bonnet, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The University of Colorado OSO-8 spectrometer experiment. IV - Mission operations

The remote operation of two high-resolution ultraviolet spectrometers on the OSO-8 satellite is discussed. Mission operations enabled scientific observers to plan observations based on current solar data, interact with the observing program using real- or near real-time data and commands, evaluate quick-look instrument data, and analyze the observations for publication. During routine operations, experiments were planned a day prior to their execution, and the data from these experiments received a day later. When a shorter turnaround was required, a real-time mode was available. Here, the real-time data and command links into the remote control center were used to evaluate experiment operation and make satellite pointing or instrument configuration changes with a 1-90 minute turnaround.

Hansen, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Rocket studies of solar corona and transition region

The XSST (X-Ray Spectrometer/Spectrograph Telescope) rocket payload launched by a Nike Boosted Black Brant was designed to provide high spectral resolution coronal soft X-ray line information on a spectrographic plate, as well as time resolved photo-electric records of pre-selected lines and spectral regions. This spectral data is obtained from a 1 x 10 arc second solar region defined by the paraboloidal telescope of the XSST. The transition region camera provided full disc images in selected spectral intervals originating in lower temperature zones than the emitting regions accessible to the XSST. A H-alpha camera system allowed referencing the measurements to the chromospheric temperatures and altitudes. Payload flight and recovery information is provided along with X-ray photoelectric and UV flight data, transition camera results and a summary of the anomalies encountered. Instrument mechanical stability and spectrometer pointing direction are also examined.

Acton, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The observation and interpretation of the profile of C IV lambda-1548 emitted from a quiet region of the sun

The average properties of the quiet chromospheric network as seen in the transition region line of C IV at 1548 A have been investigated. Line profile data for the study were taken with the OSO 8 High Resolution Ultraviolet Spectrometer, which has moderate angular resolution, high spectral resolution, and good relative photometric accuracy. The profiles, when classified and averaged according to their intensities, were found to be symmetric and Gaussian in shape at all intensity levels. A marginally significant increase in line width with line intensity was detected but the average relative redshift in the network that has been a feature of other OSO 8 studies was not found. The network-to-cell contrast ratio was of the order of 13:1 with the extreme extending to 50.1. The measured average width of 0.22 A (FWHM) is in good agreement with earlier work. Finally, a theoretical interpretation is presented, based on both the line width measurement and consideration of the profile symmetry properties. It is concluded that acoustic waves alone cannot supply enough energy to balance the radiative and conductive losses from the corona. The data are, however, consistent with heating by Alfven waves.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Mass motions in impulsive flarelike brightenings as observed by OSO 8

C IV 1548-A line profiles obtained with the University of Colorado spectrometer aboard OSO 8 reveal transient, redshifted brightenings in the chromosphere-corona transition region above active regions and sunspots. In these events the intensity rises by factors of up to 5 in less than the profile sampling interval of 27 sec. These events indicate that the emitting material is moving downward at velocities of up to 30 km/sec. The increase in line intensity and the amount of motion are consistent with the interpretation of these events as pressure waves propagating down magnetic flux loops.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

X-ray spectrometer spectrograph telescope system

A new sounding rocket payload that has been developed for X-ray spectroscopic studies of the solar corona is described. The instrument incorporates a grazing incidence Rowland mounted grating spectrograph and an extreme off-axis paraboloic sector feed system to isolate regions of the sun of order 1 x 10 arc seconds in size. The focal surface of the spectrograph is shared by photographic and photoelectric detection systems, with the latter serving as a part of the rocket pointing system control loop. Fabrication and alignment of the optical system is based on high precision machining and mechanical metrology techniques. The spectrograph has a resolution of 16 milliangstroms and modifications planned for future flights will improve the resolution to 5 milliangstroms, permitting line widths to be measured.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Paraboloidal X-ray telescope mirror for solar coronal spectroscopy

The telescope mirror for the X-ray Spectrograph Spectrometer Telescope System is a sixty degree sector of an extreme off-axis paraboloid of revolution. It was designed to focus a coronal region 1 by 10 arc seconds in size on the entrance slit of the spectrometer after reflection from the gold surface. This paper discusses the design, manufacture, and metrology of the mirror, the methods of precision mechanical metrology used to focus the system, and the mounting system which locates the mirror and has proven itself through vibration tests. In addition, the results of reflection efficiency measurements, alignment tolerances, and ray trace analysis of the effects of misalignment are considered.

Brown, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Dynamics of the solar transition zone

Time-resolved profiles of the 1548-A C IV line arising from the solar transition region are analyzed in order to determine whether the 300-sec oscillations characteristic of the photosphere and chromosphere penetrate into the transition zone and to measure the rms amplitude of transition-zone disturbances as well as their dependence on solar activity. The rms velocity amplitude is used to set limits on the mechanical energy flux available for solar heating. A power-spectrum analysis indicates that acoustic waves appear to have been detected in the transition zone, that at least one case of a strong 200- to 300-sec oscillation was observed, but that strong periodicities are not found on the average in either the intensity or the velocity field. It is suggested that the rms velocity that may be attributed to directly observable wave motion is between 3 and 7 km/s, depending on whether the individual emission elements seen in rocket spectra are coherent or independent in phase.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The University of Colorado OSO-8 spectrometer experiment. I - Introduction and optical design considerations

The optical design of the high-resolution ultraviolet spectrometer prepared for the OSO-8 spacecraft is discussed. The instrument is a conventional 1 m Ebert-Fastie spectrometer fed by a Cassegrainian telescope. The instrument operates in the spectral range 1200-2000 A with spectral resolution of order 0.02 A. Spatial resolution is about 2.5 arcsec normal to the direction of the slit and is selectable from about 3 arcsec to 15 arcmin along the direction of the slit. Time resolution for the single spectrometer channel is selectable according to the needs of an individual observation and is limited to a maximum sampling rate of 40 ms per data point. The instrument is controlled by an internal general purpose computer.

Bruner, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Preliminary results from the Orbiting Solar Observatory 8 - Observations of optically thin lines

The University of Colorado spectrometer aboard OSO 8 has measured the high temperature C IV resonance lines (at 1548 and 1551 A) and the Si IV resonance lines (at 1393 and 1402 A) formed in the solar chromosphere-corona transition region. Preliminary results include studies of mean profiles, a comparison of cell and network profiles, and the behavior of the lines at the extreme solar limb.

Shine, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The solar spectrum from 1173 to 1324 A

We present some of the results of a rocket flight which obtained a high-resolution stigmatic spectrum of the sun in the region 1173-1324 A. A list of 179 lines observed in this region is presented, with intensities, widths, and approximate excitation classes for each line. A reproduction and finding chart of the spectrum is included, along with discussion of some individual lines of special interest.

Chipman, E.↗