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Wagner, William J.

Publications and source records attributed to Wagner, William J..

16 records
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NASA NTRS2005

Seismic study of the solar subsurface based on robust time-distance inferences

Progress on this project has been constrained by the unexpected death of my long time collaborator, Peter Nisenson. I worked on several other projects as a collaborator of Pete, who became seriously ill in November 2003. He continued to work as much as his condition allowed him, but his condition worsened, and Pete died on June 21 2004. I ended up a year ago with an expected substantial workload increase. I had no choice but to re-prioritize my efforts, and one other project in which Pete would have taken a substantial role, has in the past year taken an unexpected large fraction of my time.

Korzennik, Sylvain G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Seismic Study of the Solar Interior: Inferences from SOI/MDI Observations During Solar Activity

Work on the structure, asphericity and dynamics of the solar interior from p-mode frequencies and frequency splittings was carried out primarily in collaboration with Dr. Eff-Darwich (University of La Laguna, Tenerife). This ongoing collaboration produced new results for the inversion of the internal solar rotation rate and further development in inversion methodologies. It also resulted in inferences on the solar stratification. Substantial progress towards the characterization of high-degree p-modes has been achieved. In collaboration with Drs. Rabello-Soares and Schou (Stanford University), we have gained a clear conceptual understanding of the various elements that affect the leakage matrix of the SOI/MDI instrument. This work has precise implications on the properties and the characterization of the HMI instrument being developed for the SDO mission.

Korzennik, Sylvain G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Laboratory Studies in UV and EUV Solar Physics

A new 5 GHZ Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion source for SAO's Ion Beam Experiment was designed, built and tested. Absolute cross sections were measured for electron impact excitation (EIE) in C(2+) (2s2p (3)P(sup o) - 2p(sup 2) (3)P), and empirical EIE rate coefficients were derived. The absolute cross section for EIE in Si(2+) (3s3p (3)P(sup o) - 3s3p (1)P(sup o)) was measured, and our experimental values for absolute cross sections for EIE in C(3+) (2s (2)S - 2p (2)P(sup o)) were reanalyzed and compared to values obtained by other experimental methods and by theory. In addition, a paper was published. The development and testing of the new ion source, the Si(2+) EIE measurements, and the reevaluation of the cross sections for C(3+) resulted from the Ph.D. research of Paul H. Janzen who completed the degree requirements for the Harvard University Department of Physics in 2002. John Kohl served as the Ph.D.Thesis Advisor. Because of delays in bringing the new ion source on line, the measurements of EIE in C(2+) (2s2p (3)P(sup o) - (2)p(sup 2) (3)P) were not completed until 2004. Preparations for measurements of EIE in C(2+) (1s(sup 2) (1)S - 2s2p (1)P(sup o)) are currently underway.

Wagner, William J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Wave-Particle Interactions As a Driving Mechanism for the Solar Wind

Our research has been focusing on a highly experimentally relevant issue: intermittency of the fluctuating fields in outflowing plasmas. We have contributed to both the theoretical and experimental research of the topic. In particular, we have developed a theoretical model and data analyzing programs to examine the issue of intermittency in space plasma outflows, including the solar wind. As fluctuating electric fields in the solar wind are likely to provide a heating and acceleration mechanism for the ions, our studies of the intermittency in turbulence in space plasma outflows help us toward achieving the goal of comparing major physical mechanisms that contribute to the driving of the fast solar wind. Our new theoretical model extends the utilities of our global hybrid model, which has allowed us to follow the kinetic evolution of the particle distributions along an inhomogeneous field line while the particles are subjected to various physical mechanisms. The physical effects that were considered in the global hybrid model included wave-particle interactions, an ambipolar electric field that was consistent with the particle distributions themselves, and Coulomb collisions. With an earlier version of the global hybrid model, we examined the overall impact on the solar wind flow due to the combination of these physical effects. In particular, we studied the combined effects of two major mechanisms that had been proposed as the drivers of the fast solar wind: (1) velocity filtration effect due to suprathermal electrons; (2) ion cyclotron resonance. Since the approval of this research grant, we have updated the model such that the effects due to these two driving mechanisms can be examined separately, thereby allowing us to compare their contributions to the acceleration of the solar wind. In the next section, we shall demonstrate that the velocity filtration effect is rather insignificant in comparison with that due to ion cyclotron resonance.

Wagner, William J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

MHD Instability and Turbulence in the Tachocline

The focus of this project was to study the physical processes that govern tachocline dynamics and structure. Specific features explored included stratification, shear, waves, and toroidal and poloidal background fields. In order to address recent theoretical work on anisotropic mixing and dynamics in the tachocline, we were particularly interested in such anisotropic mixing for the specific tachocline processes studied. Transition to turbulence often shapes the largest-scale features that appear spontaneously in a flow during the development of turbulence. The resulting large-scale straining field can control the subsequent dynamics; therefore, anticipation of the large-scale straining field that results for individual realizations of the transition to turbulence can be important for subsequent dynamics, flow morphology, and transport characteristics. As a result, we paid particular attention to the development of turbulence in the stratified and sheared environment of the tachocline. This is complicated by the fact that the linearly stability of sheared MHD flows is non-self-adjoint, implying that normal asymptotic linear stability theory may not be relevant.

Werne, Joe↗
NASA NTRS2003

Basic Modeling of the Solar Atmosphere and Spectrum

This grant supported the research and publication of a major 26-page paper in The Astrophysical Journal, by Fontenla, Avrett, & Loeser (2002): 'Energy Balance in the Solar Transition Region. IV. Hydrogen and Helium Mass Flows with Diffusion.' This paper extended our previous modeling of the chromosphere-corona transition region to include cases with particle and mass flows. Inflows and outflows were shown to produce striking changes in the profiles of hydrogen and helium lines. An important conclusion is that line shifts are much less significant than the changes in line intensity and central reversal due to the influence of flows on the excitation and ionization of atoms in the solar atmosphere. This modeling effort at SAO is the only current one being undertaken anywhere to simulate in detail the full range of non-LTE absorption, emission, and scattering processes in the solar atmosphere to account for the entire solar spectrum from radio waves to X-rays. This effort is being continued with internal SAO funding at a relatively slow pace. Further NASA support in the future would yield results of great value for the interpretation of solar observations from NASA spacecraft.

Avrett, Eugene↗
NASA NTRS2002

Structure and Dynamics of the Quiet Solar Chromosphere

The grant supported research on the structure of the quiet, nonmagnetic chromosphere and on wave excitation and propagation in both the nonmagnetic chromosphere and the magnetic network. The work on the structure of the chromosphere culminated in the recognition that between two competing views of the solar chromosphere, older models by Avrett and collaborators (referred to as VAL) and the newer, dynamical model by Carlsson & Stein (referred to as CS), the clear decision is in favor of the older models, and this in spite of the evident lack of physics, which does not include wave motion and oscillations. The contrast between the static VAL models and the dynamical CS model can be stated most succinctly by comparing the temperature variation implied by the VAL models and the temperature fluctuations of the CS model, which are, respectively, of the order of 10% for the VAL model (at heights where hydrogen is 50% ionized) and a factor of 10 (at the upper boundary of their chromospheric model). The huge fluctuations of the CS model have never been observed, whereas the smaller temperature variations of the VAL models are consistent with ground-based and space-based observations. While it should be obvious which model describes the Sun and which one fails, the case is far from settled in the minds of solar physicists. Thus, much educational work remains to be done and, of course, more research to develop arguments that make the case more convincing. The research on waves and oscillations has been based on a unified theory of excitation of acoustic waves in the field-free atmosphere and of transverse and longitudinal waves in magnetic flux tubes located in the magnetic network by noting, first, that impulsive excitation of all these waves in gravitationally stratified media leads to oscillations at the respective cutoff frequencies and, second, that the observed oscillation frequencies in the nonmagnetic and magnetic parts of the chromosphere match corresponding cutoff frequencies in the upper solar photosphere. The dynamical simulations by Carlsson and Stein have been most instructive and of fundamental importance for understanding wave propagation in a stratified medium by their "flaws", the most important of which is an intensity excess at the H2v emission peak in the H line of Ca II, which is surprising since the observed intensity should have been an upper limit to the simulated intensity. The only plausible explanation for a predicted intensity that is higher than observed is that energy is spread horizontally in upward propagation in the Sun, but not in the plane-wave modeling of CS (as well as by almost everyone else). Investigations of the horizontal size of the region disturbed by the upward-propagating shock in the acoustic-wave propagation implies that the waves in H2v bright-point oscillations emanate from a point source with a diameter corresponding to the width of an intergranular lane, about 100 km, and reach a size of about 4000 km in the upper layers of the chromosphere. Linear, analytic modeling of waves emanating from a point source in a stratified atmosphere shows that the upward-expanding propagation channel does not have sharp boundaries and that the shape of the wave front depends on the order of the wave behind the initial pulse. Otherwise, the behavior of the linear waves resembles that of the nonlinear shock waves observed in the Sun. Research that needs to be done to firm up the conclusions reached above concerns the numerical simulations of nonlinear waves and oscillations in a three-dimensional stratified atmosphere with impulsive excitation, and observations linking directly the horizontal size of the disturbed area in upward propagation to individual waves.

Kalkofen, Wolfgang↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Development of a New Model of Solar EUV Irradiance Variability

The goal of this research project is the development of a new model of solar EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) irradiance variability. The model is based on combining differential emission measure distributions derived from spatially and spectrally resolved observations of active regions, coronal holes, and the quiet Sun with full-disk solar images. An initial version of this model was developed with earlier funding from NASA. The new version of the model developed with this research grant will incorporate observations from SoHO as well as updated compilations of atomic data. These improvements will make the model calculations much more accurate.

Warren, Harry↗
NASA NTRS2002

Laboratory Studies in UV and EUV Solar Physics

The Ion Beam Experiment at the Center for Astrophysics is dedicated to the study of ion-electron collision processes of importance in solar physics. The analysis of measurements of Electron Impact Excitation (EIE) from the 3s3p(exp 3)P(exp o) metastable state to the 3s3p(exp 1)P state of Si(2+) was completed during the past year and a paper describing the results is available as a preprint. Our current program is directed at measuring absolute cross sections for dielectronic recombination (DR) and EIE in Si(3+), one of the primary ions used for probing the solar transition region. Our study of DR is particularly concerned with the effects of electric and magnetic fields on the recombination rates. Measurements of silicon ions with charge greater than n=2 have necessitated upgrading the experiment with a new ion source. The new source is also suitable for producing C(2+) beams to be used for measurements of EIE and DR for that system. The source is expected to be capable of producing beams of more highly charged systems as well.

Parkinson, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Physics of the Inner Heliosphere 1-10 R(sub s): Plasma Diagnostics and Models

While the mechanisms responsible for heating the solar corona and accelerating the fast and slow solar wind streams are still unknown, model computations offer the only means for exploring and predicting the properties of such mechanisms in light of the empirical constraints currently available. During the time covered by this grant, modeling and data analysis efforts were aimed at: 1) the study of the propagation and damping of ion-cyclotron waves in the fast solar wind 2) the exploration of the role of instabilities in the development of temperature anisotropies in the inner corona 3) the coupling of neutral hydrogen and protons in the fast solar wind 4) the morphology of the source region of the solar wind. Summarized are some of the highlights of these studies. Two PhD theses by Xing Li and Lorraine Allen were partially supported by this grant.

Habbal, Shadia R.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Seismic Study of the Solar Interior: Inferences from SOI/MDI Observations During Solar Activity

We have continued in collaboration with Dr. Eff-Darwich (University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain) the study of the structure, asphericity and dynamics of the solar interior from p-mode frequencies and frequency splittings. In March 2001, Dr. Eff-Darwich came for 3 weeks visit to CfA. During this visit we completed our work on the inversion of the internal solar rotation rate, and submitted a paper describing this work to the Astrophysical Journal. This paper has been recently revised in response to the referee comments and I expect that it will be accepted for publication very soon. We also have analyzed helioseismic data looking for temporal variations of the solar stratification near the base of the convection zone. We have expanded on the initial work that was presented at the SOHO-10/GONG-2000 meeting (October 2000, Tenerife), and are in the process of writing this up. Substantial progress towards the characterization of high-degree p-modes has been achieved. Indeed, in collaboration Dr. Rabello-Soares (Stanford University), we have gained a clear conceptual understanding of the various elements that affect the leakage matrix of the SOI/MDI instrument. This was presented in an invited talk at the SOHO-10/GONG-2000 meeting (October 2000, Tenerife). Once we will have successfully migrated from a qualitative to a quantitative assessment of these effects, we should be able to generate high-degree p-modes frequencies so crucial in the diagnostic of the layers just below solar surface.

Korzennik, Sylvain G.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Seismic Study of the Dynamics of the Solar Subsurface from SoHO Observations

In collaboration with Dr. Baudin, we have developed and refined the new observational methodology for local helioseismology known as time-distance analysis. Global helioseismology study the solar oscillations as a superposition of resonant modes, whose properties (mode frequencies) reflect the global structure of the sun (sound speed stratification, rotation rate, etc). In contrast, local helioseismology look at the solar oscillations as wave packets whose propagation will be affected by perturbations of the media sampled. These local perturbations (sound speed or velocity flows) will modify the propagation time, that in turn can be used as a diagnostic tool for a given region. From a data reduction perspective, the processing of solar dopplergrams that result in time-distance maps, i.e. propagation times as a function of distance between bounces at the surface, is radically different from the methodology used for global mode analysis. We have, in a first step, further develop the programs needed to carry out such analysis. We have then applied them to NMI data set, and explore the trade-off between various averaging and filtering approaches - steps required to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of correlation maps - and the resulting stability and precision of the fitted propagation times. While excessive averaging (whether over space, propagation distance, or time) will reduce the diagnostic potential of the method, insufficient averaging lead to unstable fits, or uncertainties so large as to hide the information we seek. In a second phase, we have developed the analysis methodology required to infer local properties from perturbation in time propagation. Namely, we have developed time-distance inversion techniques, with an emphasis on inferences of velocity flows from time anomalies. Note also that during the period covered by this grant, all the investigators on this proposal (i.e., Drs. Baudin, Eff-Darwich, Korzennik, and Noyes) took part in the organization of the SOHO 6 /GONG 99 Workshop: Structure and Dynamics of the Interior of the Sun and Sunlike Stars, held on June 1-4 1999 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. it was very well attended by more than 160 participants from 26 countries from all over the world. The proceedings were published in two volumes as ESA SP-418, with Sessions I-III in Volume 1, and Sessions IV-VI in Volume 2 (1,000 pages in total). The complete contents are also included in digital form on a CD-ROM included with Volume 1. This CD-ROM also contains additional multi-media material that complements some of the contributions.

Korzennik, Sylvain G.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Mapping the Solar Wind from its Source Region into the Outer Corona

The solar wind not only forms the space environment of Earth and other planets, but is also the cause of many phenomena observed in the Earth's atmosphere, such as aurorae. The expansion of the coronal plasma of the Sun is characteristic to many main sequence stars, and thus provides an example for understanding stellar winds as well. In spite of its importance for both space science and stellar physics, basic solar wind properties remain essentially unresolved. Since its discovery about 50 years ago, the complexity of the Sun corona - solar wind system has complicated the interpretation of observations. Recent progress in remote sensing observations as provided for example by YOHKOH, SOHO, SPARTAN and ULYSSES as well as some ground based techniques such as Interplanetary Scintillation observations, offer a compelling opportunity to unravel the 50 year old puzzle regarding the heat source or sources that cause the expansion of the solar corona. The new era of solar wind observations initiated by SOHO and ULYSSES, have also led to a wealth of new theoretical approaches. The goal of the proposed research was to carry out an integrated study of the coronal and solar wind plasma making use of the opportunities provided by the above spacecraft, as well as plasma emission calculations and new ideas on solar wind expansion theory.

Esser, Ruth↗
NASA NTRS2000

Basic Modeling of the Solar Atmosphere and Spectrum

During the last three years we have continued the development of extensive computer programs for constructing realistic models of the solar atmosphere and for calculating detailed spectra to use in the interpretation of solar observations. This research involves two major interrelated efforts: work by Avrett and Loeser on the Pandora computer program for optically thick non-LTE modeling of the solar atmosphere including a wide range of physical processes, and work by Kurucz on the detailed high-resolution synthesis of the solar spectrum using data for over 58 million atomic and molecular lines. Our objective is to construct atmospheric models from which the calculated spectra agree as well as possible with high-and low-resolution observations over a wide wavelength range. Such modeling leads to an improved understanding of the physical processes responsible for the structure and behavior of the atmosphere.

Avrett, Eugene H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Filament disappearances

The phenomenon of the sudden filament disappearance (Disparition Brusque) is a familiar one to observers at H alpha telescopes. Nevertherless, the importance in Disparition Brusques (DB) continues to grow for several reasons which are cited in the discussion. It is reported that there seems to be more interest on building and maintain filaments than in destroying them. As a consequence, this sub-group is smaller than most of the others. All the same, progress in this area of filament disapperences seems steady and assured. The importance and interest in DBs is discussed and future directions are indicated.

Wagner, William J.↗