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Doschek, G. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Doschek, G. A..

At least 73 records · Page 4
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NASA NTRS1981

High resolution X-ray spectra of solar flares. V - Interpretation of inner-shell transitions in Fe XX-Fe XXIII

The paper examines high-resolution solar flare iron line spectra recorded between 1.82 and 1.97 A by a spectrometer flown by the Naval Research Laboratory on an Air Force spacecraft launched on 1979 February 24. The emission line spectrum is due to inner-shell transitions in the ions Fe XX-Fe XXV. Using theoretical spectra and calculations of line intensities obtained by methods discussed by Merts, Cowan, and Magee (1976), electron temperatures as a function of time for two large class X flares are derived. These temperatures are deduced from intensities of lines of Fe XXII, Fe XXIII, and Fe XXIV. The determination of the differential emission measure between about 12-million and 20-million K using these temperatures is considered. The possibility of determining electron densities in flare and tokamak plasmas using the inner-shell spectra of Fe XXI and Fe XX is discussed.

Doschek, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

What produces the high densities observed in solar flare plasmas

Attention is drawn to the implications of the high densities observed in flare plasmas in the wide temperature range from 10 to the 4th K to more than 10 to the 7th K. The chromospheric evaporation theory for the decay phase is discussed, and it is found that it is not consistent with the observations. It is pointed out that all the flare mechanisms proposed so far, e.g., magnetic field reconnection in various geometries, have entirely ignored the fundamental problem of how the high densities arise in the first place, and, in fact, they are unable to answer this question. It is suggested that compressional heatings of a flaring loop might be responsible for the density and emission measure (EM) increases observed in flare plasmas. Chromospheric evaporation associated with local heating in the initial rising phase of the flare, in distinction to the existing evaporation theory which assumes a coronal heating source, is also discussed. Possible observational tests, utilizing the newly launched Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite, are presented.

Cheng, C.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The detection of companion stars to the Cepheid variables ETA Aquilae and T Monocerotis

Ultraviolet spectra of the classical Cepheid variables eta Aq1 and T Mon at several phases in their periods were obtained with IUE. For eta Aq1 significant ultraviolet emission is detected at wavelengths less than 1600 A, where little flux is expected from classical Cepheids. Furthermore, the emission at wavelengths less than about 1600 A does not vary with phase. Comparison with model atmosphere flux distributions shows that the nonvariable emission is consistent with the flux expected from a main sequence companion star with an effective temperature of about 9500 K (AO V - A1 V). For T Mon a nonvarying component to the ultraviolet emission is observed for wavelengths less than 2600 A. Comparison with model atmosphere flux distributions suggests that the companion has an effective temperature of around 10,000 K (AO) and is near the main sequence.

Mariska, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High-resolution X-ray spectra of solar flares. IV - General spectral properties of M type flares

The spectral characteristics in selected narrow regions of the X-ray spectrum of class M solar flares are analyzed. High-resolution spectra in the ranges 1.82-1.97, 2.98-3.07, 3.14-3.24 and 8.26-8.53 A, which contain lines important for the determination of electron temperature and departure from ionization equilibrium, were recorded by spaceborne Bragg crystal spectrometers. Temperatures of up to 20,000,000 K are obtained from line ratios during flare rise phases in M as well as X flares, while in the decay phase the calcium temperature can be as low as 8,000,000 K, which is significantly lower than in X flares. Large nonthermal motions (on the order of 130 km/sec at most) are also observed in M as well as X flares, which are largest during the soft X-ray rise phase. Finally, it is shown that the method proposed by Gabriel and Phillips (1979) for detecting departures of electrons from Maxwellian velocity distributions is not sufficiently sensitive to give reliable results for the present data.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Physical conditions in the solar atmosphere above an active region

From a series of EUV spectra obtained at several heights above the limb in a solar active region, the volume emission measure is derived as a function of the electron temperature in the temperature range 70,000-1,500,000 K and the electron density at two locations. The emission measure from the coronal material (temperature greater than 700,000 K) is nearly the same everywhere and represents most of the material in the line of sight, while the emission measure from the transition region material (temperature between 70,000 and 250,000 K) fluctuates by two orders of magnitude from position to position above the active region. This is in agreement with the picture of this active region as consisting of a number of well-defined loops or lower portions of loops at transition region temperatures that are inhomogeneously distributed in much larger and more diffuse loop structures at coronal temperatures. The coronal data are in reasonable agreement with simple coronal models. Emission measures near 1,000,000 K evaluated using different ions differ by a factor of 4, suggesting difficulties with the atomic physics data.

Mariska, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

High-resolution X-ray spectra of solar flares. III - General spectral properties of X1-X5 type flares

High-resolution X-ray spectra of six class X1-X5 solar flares are discussed. The spectra were recorded by spaceborne Bragg crystal spectrometers in the ranges 1.82-1.97, 2.98-3.07 and 3.14-3.24 A. Electron temperatures derived from dielectronic satellite line to resonance line ratios for Fe XXV and Ca XIX are found to remain fairly constant around 22,000,000 and 16,000,000 K respectively during the rise phase of the flares, then decrease by approximately 6,000,000 K during the decay phase. Nonthermal motions derived from line widths for the April 27, 1979 event are found to be greatest during the rise phase (approximately 130 km/sec) and decrease to about 60 km/sec during decay. Volume emission measures for Fe XXV, Ca XIX and Ca XX are derived from photon fluxes as a function of temperature, and examination of the intensity behavior of the Fe K alpha emission as a function of time indicates that it is a result of fluorescence. Differences between the present and previous observations of temperature variation are discussed, and it is concluded that the flare plasmas are close to ionization equilibrium for the flares investigated.

Doschek, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Atomic data for S IV and solar observations of the 3x/2/3p /2/P-3s3p/2/ /4/P multiplet

High resolution observations of intersystem lines of S IV near 1400 A are available from Skylab. These lines are potentially useful as density diagnostics for the solar atmosphere. Energy levels, transition probabilities and collision strengths have, therefore, been calculated for S IV, including the configurations 3x(2)3p, 3s3p(2), and 3s(2)3d. Line intensities and level populations have been calculated as a function of electron density. The calculated population of the 3s3p(2) (4)P(5/2) level is found to reach a pseudo-Boltzmann equilibrium at a density which is four times higher than is inferred from solar spectra and level population calculations of lighter ions such as O IV.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Observations of the O I 1355.6 A and C I 1355.8 A lines in solar flares

The paper presents observations of the intersystem line O I 1355.6 A and the allowed line C I 1355.8 A in solar flares. In flares, the intersystem O I line is weaker than the allowed C I line and the intensity ratio O I/C I is 0.3-0.7. On the other hand, in active regions, O I line is stronger than the C I line and O I/C I is about 1-2, while in quiet sun regions, the O I line is much stronger than the C I line and O I/C I not in excess of 20. The variation of the intensity ratio from quiet sun region to flares may be due to an electron density enhancement of a factor of about 50 in flares.

Cheng, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The detection of a companion star to the Cepheid variable Eta Aquilae

Ultraviolet spectra have been obtained with IUE of the classical Cepheid Eta Aquilae at several phases in the 7.18 day period. Significant ultraviolet emission is detected at wavelengths less than 1600 A, where little flux is expected from classical Cepheids. Furthermore, the emission at wavelengths less than about 1600 A does not vary with phase. Comparison with model atmosphere flux distributions shows that the nonvariable emission is consistent with the flux expected from a main-sequence companion star with an effective temperature of about 9500 K (A0 V). The observed ultraviolet flux and spectral type are used to compute a distance of 300 pc to the system, in agreement with the distance predicted using the period luminosity relation.

Mariska, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Atomic data and level populations of highly ionized Ti for tokamak plasmas

The paper presents calculations of electron impact collision strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates for titanium ions of the LiI through FI isoelectronic sequences for transitions between levels of the 2S(2)2p(k), 2s2p(k+1), and 2p(k+2) configurations. From these atomic data, excitation-rate coefficients are calculated along with level populations for these three configurations. The calculations of level populations include the effects of proton excitation, and are carried out at electron temperatures and densities typical of tokamak plasmas. Wavelengths of forbidden and intersystem lines are given, and a synthetic spectrum is presented for a typical temperature and density.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Spectroscopy and atomic physics of highly ionized Cr, Fe, and Ni for tokamak plasmas

The paper considers the spectroscopy and atomic physics for some highly ionized Cr, Fe, and Ni ions produced in tokamak plasmas. Forbidden and intersystem wavelengths for Cr and Ni ions are extrapolated and interpolated using the known wavelengths for Fe lines identified in solar-flare plasmas. Tables of transition probabilities for the B I, C I, N I, O I, and F I isoelectronic sequences are presented, and collision strengths and transition probabilities for Cr, Fe, and Ni ions of the Be I sequence are given. Similarities of tokamak and solar spectra are discussed, and it is shown how the atomic data presented may be used to determine ion abundances and electron densities in low-density plasmas.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The chromosphere and transition region

The physical processes occurring as a result of the transfer of energy and momentum from the primary solar flare energy release site in the corona to the underlying chromosphere and transition region during the course of the flare are investigated through a comparison of theoretical models and observational data. Static, dynamic and hydrodynamic models of the lower-temperature chromospheric flare are reviewed. The roles of thermal conduction, radiation, fast particles and mass motion in chromosphere-corona interactions are analyzed on the basis of Skylab UV, EUV and X-ray data, and empirical and synthetic models of the chromospheric and upper photospheric responses to flares are developed. The canonical model of chromospheric heating during flares as a result of primary energy release elsewhere is found to be justified in the chromosphere as a whole, although not entirely as the temperature minimum, and a simplified model of horizontal chromospheric flare structure based on results obtained is presented.

Canfield, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The N III and O IV intersystem multiplets as density indicators for solar plasmas

The usefulness of the relative intensities of lines within the N III intersystem multiplet near 1750 A as an electron density indicator for solar plasmas is discussed. Although the relative intensities of lines in the multiplet are density sensitive, the intensity ratios should at present be used with caution. Errors of the order of 20% in transition probabilities and excitation rate coefficients can lead to order of magnitude errors in density determinations. It is demonstrated that the intensity ratio of one of the N III intersystem lines and an allowed line from a different ion may also be used as a density indicator in the 10 to the 9th to 10 to the 11th per cu cm regime.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1979

EUV limb spectra of a surge observed from Skylab

The EUV spectra of a surge observed at plus 8 in. and plus 20 in. above the white light limb from Skylab are examined. The shape of the differential emission measure determined at 8 in. and 20 in. is nearly the same as for a quiet Sun spectrum at 8 in., but the emission measure of the surge at 8 in. is about an order of magnitude greater than for the quiet Sun. At 20 in. the emission measure of the surge is initially close to the quiet Sun distribution, but decreases by a factor of 4 within 6 min. The optically thin lines formed near 10 to the 5th power K show nonthermal broadening at 8 in., and electron densities near this temperature are derived from intersystem to resonance ratios. The volume of the emitting plasma at 8 in. above the limb was determined, concluding that a continuous energy input is required to explain the observations.

Doschek, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

New atomic data of O/2+/

New atomic data are tabulated for the ion O(2+). Collision strengths are calculated for several energies of the exciting electron. The populations of the levels of O(2+) are calculated as a function of electron density under conditions appropriate for the solar atmosphere. The available solar data are compared with theoretical predictions of relative line intensities.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the structure of the solar transition zone and lower corona

Recent observations of the solar transition zone and corona obtained primarily from NRL spectrographs on Skylab are summarized and used to examine the structure of the transition zone. The transition zone is revealed to be more inhomogeneous than is apparent from spectroheliograms with spatial resolution of about 3 arcsec. Transition-zone emission appears to arise in spicularlike structures. The effective area covered by the emitting structures at lower transition-zone temperatures (about 100,000 K) is only about 1% of the total surface area of the sun. The transition zone is highly inhomogeneous even over cell interior regions, where fluctuations in brightness by factors of 25 can occur. It is shown that homogeneous coronal models are not valid for the inner corona. Most of the higher-density inner corona is concentrated into looplike structures that extend down to the white-light limb. These structures are unrelated to the spicular-type structures that produce most of the transition-zone emission.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Fe XXI as an electron density diagnostic in solar flares

Atomic data have been calculated for Fe XXI, and the theoretical intensity ratios for many transitions are tabulated. Fe XXI lines in wavelength regions 1-25 A, 90-200 A, and 300-2500 A are discussed with reference to presently available solar and laboratory spectra. It is found that Fe XXI is an excellent density diagnostic for solar-flare and tokamak plasmas, when densities are in the range from 10 to the 11th to 10 to the 15th per cu cm. The theoretical calculations are applied to flare spectra obtained from OSO 5, and an electron density of less than 10 to the 13th per cu cm is deduced for a temperature of 10,000,000 K. The results are somewhat ambiguous in several cases because of the limited spectral and temporal resolution of these earlier spectrometers. However, the calculations will be important for forthcoming solar projects, such as the Solar Maximum Mission.

Mason, H. E.↗