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Martin, S. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Martin, S. F..

26 records · Page 2

Application of digital image processing techniques to faint solar flare phenomena

Digital image processing of eight solar flare events was performed using the Video Information Communication and Retrieval language in order to study moving emission fronts, flare halos, and Moreton waves. The techniques used include contrast enhancement, isointensity contouring, the differencing of images, spatial filtering, and geometrical registration. The spatial extent and temporal behavior of the faint phenomena is examined along with the relation of the three types of phenomena to one another. The image processing techniques make possible the detailed study of the history of the phenomena and provide clues to their physical nature.

Glackin, D. L.↗

A query into the source of proton emission from solar flares, report 2

Seven solar flares that were followed by major proton events were examined to determine the diverse and common properties of major flares. The most probable site of primary proton acceleration is cospatial with the site and instant of formation of coronal loops. Because loop formation occurs through the entire duration of major solar flares over significantly large areas of active centers, it is proposed that proton injection occurs from a relatively large volume of space in the corona of active centers and is continuous throughout, and possibly even after, the visible duration of the related chromospheric flare. The flare veil is hypothesized to occur as a result of proton charge exchange taking place in the white-light transient. The Kopp and Pneuman model of loop formation by magnetic reconnection is suggested as an adequate and satisfactory model for all major flares with the provision that the beginning of rapid magnetic field reconnection is coincident with flare start.

Martin, S. F.↗

Multi-slit spectrograph and H alpha Doppler system

Description of the design and operation of a multiple-entrance-slit spectrograph, built for time-lapse photography of the spectra of flares and other transient solar phenomena. This spectrograph employs narrow-band filters to limit the wavelength range of the spectrograph to a few angstroms centered at H-alpha or other spectral lines. A polarizing beamsplitter, prior to the slits, provides a prefiltered second solar image to a narrow band H-alpha Doppler filter for simultaneous photography in the wings of the H-alpha line. The spectrograph and the H-alpha Doppler system constitute a flexible instrument in which components may be substituted to achieve different passband widths, image scales, dispersions, and corresponding numbers and spacings of adjacent spectra at a selected wavelength.

Martin, S. F.↗

Ephemeral active regions

Observations are shown to indicate that ephemeral regions are frequently generated both near large active centers and in extensive quiet areas of the sun. The latitude distribution of ephemeral regions appears to be much wider than that of sunspots and major active centers. Their frequency of occurrence does not appear to follow the sunspot cycle.

Harvey, K. L.↗

The evolution of prominences and their relationship to active centers /A Review/

A necessary condition for the formation of prominences is established where components of the magnetic field of opposite sign lie juxtaposed. This condition is sometimes recognizable prior to the formation of prominences in active centers and between adjacent active centers in H-alpha by paths of fibrils aligned nearly end to end. Prominences are usually not found in active regions until they are about 4 days old. After this time, the number of prominences appears to be a function of the large-scale complexities in the magnetic field pattern whether these are a result of emerging flux, the merging of adjacent active centers, or the coalescing of remnant fields of active centers. Prominences may disappear by the slow or rapid flow of mass into the chromosphere or by the more violent eruptives. The formation of new active centers has been associated with the eruption of some filaments related to weak chromospheric fields.

Martin, S. F.↗

Early recognition of major solar flares in H-alpha.

Study of 297 major flares for changes occurring within a 2-hr interval prior to the start of flares, by means of photography through a 0.5A passband birefringent filter centered at H-alpha. The results indicate a definite statistical pattern in these changes. The pattern begins with the gradual ascension of a filament within 1 hr prior to flare start, followed by the rapid outward ejection of the filament near the beginning of the flare and the infall of some of the ejected mass during the flare. A discussion of flares observed through a broader-band filter is included for comparison.

Martin, S. F.↗

Spatial and spectral studies of solar phenomena

Work proceeded simultaneously in four different areas of solar research. These were: (1) assembly and testing of the components of a multiple-slit H alpha spectrograph, (2) simultaneous observations of the wings of the H alpha line with a newly modified filter, (3) analysis of H alpha high resolution observations in conjunction with magnetic field observations obtained at Kitt Peak, and (4) theoretical analysis of the D3 line HeI.

Harvey, K. L.↗