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Marsh, K. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Marsh, K. A..

26 records · Page 2

Two-dimensional VLA maps of solar bursts at 15 and 23 GHz with arcsec resolution

Three small, impulsive solar-microwave bursts (peak fluxes 4.9, 3.0, and 0.4 sfu) were observed during 1979 September 7-9, using the Very Large Array (VLA) at 15.05 or 22.5 GHz. The data from 10 antennas distributed on three arms of the array provide the first two-dimensional burst images with spatial resolution as high as 1.0 x 0.75 arcsec. Comparison with optical data showed in the impulsive phase of all three flares, the microwave emission was dominated by a compact source located between the H-alpha kernels. In the post-impulsive phase, the microwave source was larger and elongated in a direction consistent with the orientation of the magnetic field lines joining the H-alpha kernels. These results are interpreted to imply that the initial energy release occurs near the top of the magnetic arch joining the H-alpha kernels.

Marsh, K. A.

Ephemeral region flares and the diffusion of the network

Flarelike events which are frequently observed in H-alpha in apparently quiet regions of the solar disk can be in all cases identified with bipolar ephemeral regions (ER) on magnetograms. These events represent the H-alpha counterpart of X-ray bright point flares. Statistically, this phenomenon is associated with the proximity of the bipolar features to the supergranulation network in the sense that an ER is likely to flare during its lifetime if the distance to the nearest network element is less than or equal to its own pole separation.

Marsh, K. A.

D sub 3 spicules and the lower chromosphere

High resolution filtergrams of the solar limb in D sub 3 and off-band H-alpha have been used to investigate the spatial structure of the D sub 3 chromosphere. It was found that spicules provide the major contribution to the intensity of the D sub 3 emission band observed above the limb, with the remainder of the emission coming from a semi-homogeneous background component at low heights. The observations can be understood on the basis of the photoionization model, whereby it is found that helium is only slightly ionized at the height of peak intensity in the D sub 3 emission band, and that spicules are at least three times denser than their surroundings at this height. In coronal holes, the D sub 3 emission is confined to isolated emission patches, and these patches contain a fine structure resembling normal chromospheric spicules.

Marsh, K. A.

The calcium K-line network in coronal holes

Microphotometry of calcium K-line photographs in the regions of polar coronal holes shows that the chromospheric network exterior to a hole has a slightly broader intensity distribution than that inside the hole itself, a fact which can be attributed to a greater number of bright network elements outside the hole. These bright elements presumably represent the enhanced network resulting from the dispersal of magnetic flux from old active regions, a hypothesis which is consistent with current ideas of coronal-hole formation.

Marsh, K. A.

The lifetime and evolution of fibrils

A detailed study has been made of the lifetimes and evolution of fibrils in McMath 12417, using high resolution filtergrams in H-alpha and Ca II K. It was found that when viewed near disk center, the lifetime of a fibril is a monotonically increasing function of its maximum apparent length. This relationship, together with the form of the variation of fibril lengths as a function of time, suggests that fibrils result from material being impulsively injected into magnetic field lines at approximately 30 km/sec, and returning under gravity. The lifetimes and apparent lengths of fibrils are then a function of the inclination of the field lines only. A study of wavelength scans through the H-alpha line confirms that the apparent extension and retraction of fibrils represents true mass motion.

Marsh, K. A.

The lifetime and evolution of fibrils

A detailed study was made of the lifetimes and evolution of fibrils in McMath 12417, using high resolution filtergrams in H alpha and CaII K made at Big Bear Solar Observatory. It was found that the lifetime of a fibril increases monotonically with its length. This relationship, together with the form of the variation of fibril lengths as a function of time, suggests that fibrils result from material being impulsively injected into magnetic field lines at approximately 30 km/sec, and returning under gravity. The lifetimes and apparent lengths of fibrils are then a function of the inclination of the field lines only. A study of wavelength scans through the H alpha line confirms that the apparent expansion and contraction of fibrils represents true mass motion.

Marsh, K. A.