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Noyes, R. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Noyes, R. W..

51 records · Page 3

Inhomogeneous structure of the solar chromosphere from Lyman-continuum data.

A new model of the chromosphere is described that is based on Lyman-continuum observations by Harvard spectrometers aboard the satellites OSO 4 and OSO 6. The temperature, gas pressure, electron pressure, particle densities, and hydrogen ground-state departure coefficient are calculated as a function of height in the chromosphere. The model reproduces the observed quiet-region intensities in the Lyman continuum. The inhomogeneous structures, believed to be spicules, are inferred to be optically thick in the Lyman continuum and to have a source function below that of the mean chromosphere.

Vernazza, J. E.↗

Observed heights of EUV lines formed in the transition zone and corona.

The heights of formation of a number of extreme ultraviolet lines in active regions have been measured from OSO-IV spectroheliograms. Using the Lyman continuum at 2000 km above the white light limb as a reference, we find heights for He I, He II, C III, N III, O IV, O VI, Ne VIII, Mg X, Si XII, Fe XV and Fe XVI that are in approximate agreement with models based on analysis of EUV emission intensities. The height of C II is anomalously high. The accuracy of measurement is typically about 2000 km. The data suggest that the transition zone is less steep than calculated from EUV emission intensities; however, higher resolution observations are necessary to resolve the discrepancy.

Simon, G. W.↗

Extreme-ultraviolet observations of a surge.

Observation of a flare surge at the limb in C III 977 A by the Harvard OSO 6 spectroheliometer. The kinematic behavior of the surge is the same in C III and in H alpha. The amount of C III emission is consistent with a model in which the C III ions occupy sheaths with a thickness of about 100 km surrounding the cooler H alpha-emitting threads. The mass of the material containing C III ions is about 0.01 times that emitting H alpha.

Kirshner, R. P.↗

Real time control of the observing program of an Orbiting Solar Observatory.

Discussion of some innovations in the ground control optimization of the modes of data acquisition once an instrument is in orbit, as illustrated by the Harvard experiment on OSO 6. A detailed description is given of the instrumentation on board OSO 6 which provided a capability of performing spatial scans of the solar disk and the ability to obtain the spectra of selected features on the solar disk. The method of receiving and displaying the data transmitted by the satellite in real time is described, as well as the procedure followed in developing preflight observing objectives and in evaluating completed observations. A typical process of data acquisition to obtain wavelength scans of selected features on the solar disk is illustrated, and a number of collaborative investigations involving simultaneous coordinated observations from the ground and from space are cited.

Reeves, E. M.↗

Models of the quiet and active solar atmosphere from Harvard OSO data.

Review of some Harvard Observatory programs aimed at defining the physical conditions in quiet and active solar regions on the basis of data obtained from the OSO-IV and OSO-VI spacecraft. The spectral range covered is from 300 A to 1400 A. This spectral range consists of emission lines and continua from abundant elements such as hydrogen, helium, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, magnesium, aluminum, neon, iron, and calcium in various ionization states ranging from neutral to 15 times ionized. The structure is discussed of the quiet solar atmosphere as deduced from center-to-limb behavior of spectral lines and continua formed in the chromosphere and corona. In reviewing investigations of solar active regions, it is shown that the structure of these regions varies in a complicated manner from point to point. The local structure is influenced by factors such as the magnetic field configuration within the active region and the age or evolutionary state of the region.

Noyes, R. W.↗