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At least 325 records · Page 18

An interim report on the NTS-2 solar cell experiment

Data obtained from the fourteen solar cell modules on the NTS-2 satellite are presented together with a record of panel temperature and sun inclination. The following flight data are discussed: (1) state of the art solar cell configurations which embody improvements in solar cell efficiency through new silicon surface and bulk technology, (2) improved coverslip materials and coverslip bonding techniques, (3) short and long term effects of ultraviolet rejection filters vs. no filters on the cells, (4) degradation on a developmental type of liquid epitaxy gallium-aluminum-arsenide solar cell, and (5) space radiation effects.

Statler, R. L.↗

AP-8 trapped proton environment for solar maximum and solar minimum

Data sets from Ov-3 and Azur indicate a need for improvement in models of the stably trapped proton flux with energies between 0.1 and 400 MeV. Two computer accessible models are described: AP8MAX and AP8MIN. The models are presented in the form of nomographs, B-L plots, R-lambda plots, and equatorial radial profiles. Nomographs of the orbit-integrated fluxes are also discussed. The models are compared with each other, with the data, and with previous AP models. Requirements for future improvements include more complete data coverage and periodic comparisons with new data sets as they become available. The machine-sensible format in which the models are available are described.

Sawyer, D. M.↗

Ionized dopant concentrations at the heavily doped surface of a silicon solar cell

Data are combined with concentrations obtained by a bulk measurement method using successive layer removal with measurements of Hall effect and resistivity. From the MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor) measurements it is found that the ionized dopant concentration N has the value (1.4 + or - 0.1) x 10 to the 20th power/cu cm at distances between 100 and 220 nm from the n(+) surface. The bulk measurement technique yields average values of N over layers whose thickness is 2000 nm. Results show that, at the higher concentrations encountered at the n(+) surface, the MOS C-V technique, when combined with a bulk measurement method, can be used to evaluate the effects of materials preparation methodologies on the surface and near surface concentrations of silicon cells.

Weinberg, I.↗

Stratospheric N2O5 profiles at sunrise and sunset from further analysis of the ATMOS/Spacelab 3 solar spectra

Data obtained by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment during the Spacelab 3 (SL3) mission (April 29 to May 6, 1985) indicated the presence of N2O5 in the stratosphere. This paper presents additional analyses of the ATMOS/SL3 spectra carried out to obtain quantitative information on stratospheric N2O5. Results of this analysis include the detection and measurement of weak N2O5 absorption at sunset in the lower stratosphere, the inversion of a precise (about 10 percent) N2O5 sunrise vertical distribution between 25.5 and 37.5 km altitude, and the identification and measurement of absorption by the N2O5 743/cm band at sunrise. Results confirm model predictions that not all of the N2O5 is photodissociated during the day, except in polar regions during the extended daylight of summer.

Rinsland, C. P.↗

Ozone depletion in the upper stratosphere estimated from satellite and Space Shuttle data

Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SSBUV) spectrometer observations of ozone concentrations in the upper stratosphere made in October 1989 are combined here with measurements made in October 1980 by the similar SBUV instruments on NASA's Nimbus-7 satellite. It is shown that the ozone concentration near 45 km has decreased during this period by about 7 +/- 2 percent. The trend is consistent with predictions of a 2D photochemical model.

Hilsenrath, Ernest↗

Comparisons of the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM) to Preliminary SDO EVE Data

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) launched February 11,2010 from Kennedy Space Center and started normal science operations in April 2010. One of the instruments onboard SDO, the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE), will measure the solar EUV irradiance from 0.1-105 nm with 0.1 nm spectral resolution as well as a measure of the broad-band Lyman-Alpha emission (121.6 nm), all with less than 10 percent uncertainties. One of the biggest improvements of EVE over its predecessors is its ability to continuously measure the complete spectrum every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This temporal coverage and cadence will greatly enhance the knowledge of the solar EUV variations during solar flares. This paper will present a comparison of the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM), which can produce an estimated EUV spectrum at 10 seconds temporal resolution, to the preliminary results from SDO EVE. The discussion will focus on the short-term EUV flare variations and evolution.

Chamberlin, Phillip↗

Flare Comparisons of the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM) to Preliminary SDO EVE Data

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) launched February 11, 2010 from Kennedy Space Center and started normal science operations in April 2010. One of the instruments onboard SDO, the EUV Variability- Experiment (EVE), will measure the solar EUV irradiance from 0.1-105 nm with 0.1 nm spectral resolution as well as a measure of the broad-band Lyman-Alpha emission (121.0 rim), all with less than 10 percent uncertainties. One of the biggest improvements of EVE over its predecessors is its ability to continuously measure the complete spectrum ever y 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This temporal coverage and cadence will greatly enhance the knowledge of the solar EUV variations during solar flares. This paper will present a comparison of the Flare Irradiance Spectral Model (FISM), which can produce an estimated EUV spectrum at 10 seconds temporal resolution, to the preliminary flare observation results from SDO EVE. The discussion will focus on the short-term EUV flare variations and evolution.

Chamberlon, Phillip C.↗

The Mg 280-nm doublet as a monitor of changes in solar ultraviolet irradiance

Solar irradiance data gathered with the Nimbus 7 spacecraft from 1978-1985 are compared with atmospheric MG 289-nm doublet emission line data to evaluate the possibility of using the rotational line data to calculate the total solar UV input. The satellite instrumentation is described, including the calibration equipment and procedures. The spacecraft records solar irradiance once per day and the remainder of the time records irradiance scattered by the atmosphere. The measured irradiances are converted to equivalent brightness temperatures, which can be interpolated for specific layers of the atmosphere. Sample daily data are provided to illustrate the correlation between variations in the Mg-II core radiation and the soalr UV irradiance. Techniques are defined for correcting for periodic variations in instrument performance to quantify long-term solar UV radiance variations. Using the atmospheric Mg-II doublet radiation for measuring soalr UV irradiance is concluded of value for characterizing the effects of solar radiation on the atmosphere.

Heath, D. F.↗

ERB Nimbus 7 solar measurements - 7 years

A discussion is presented of features of the nearly 7 yr of solar radiation data available from Nimbus-7 Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) experiments as of early 1986. Summaries are provided of the irradiance data collected by each of the 10 solar sensors, with account taken of the degradation of sensor sensitivity over the active life of the sensors. In contrast, however, has been the performance of the cavity pyrheliometer, channel 10C, which has maintained an accuracy of 0.05 percent after over 6 yr on-orbit. As has been observed in SMM data, the total daily solar irradiance has exhibited a downward trend over the lifetimes of both instruments.

Hickey, J. R.↗

Measures of the solar spectral irradiance between 1200 and 3000 A

Tabulated data on solar flux measurements are presented. The measurements, taken from balloons, rockets and satellites, are not new data, but have been critically re-evaluated. The eleven year sunspot cycle is discussed. Also discussed is the brightness temperature. The effect of solar radiation at various wavelengths, on the photochemistry of stratospheric ozone is briefly discussed.

Heath, D. F.↗

Nature and Variability of Coronal Streamers and their Relationship to the Slow Speed Wind

NASA Grant NAG5-12781 is a study on the "Nature and Variability of Coronal Streamers and their Relationship to the Slow Speed Wind." The two main goals of this study are to identify: 1) Where in the streamer structure does the solar wind originate, and 2) What coronal conditions are responsible for the variability of the slow speed wind. To answer the first question, we examined the mostly closed magnetic field regions in streamer cores to search for evidence of outflow. Preliminary results from the OVI Doppler dimming ratios indicates that most of the flow originates from the edges of coronal streamers but this idea should be confirmed by a comparison of the coronal plasma properties with in situ solar wind data. To answer the second question, the work performed thus far suggests that solar minimum streamers have larger perpendicular velocity distributions than do solar maximum streamers. If it can be shown that solar minimum streamers also produce higher solar wind speeds then this would suggest that streamers and coronal holes have similar solar wind acceleration mechanisms. The key to both questions lie in the analysis of the in situ solar wind data sets. This work was not able to be completed during the period of performance and therefore the grant was formally extended for an additional year at no cost to NASA. We hope to have final results and a publication by the end of the calendar year 2004. The SAO personnel involved in the research are Leonard Strachan (PI), Mari Paz Miralles, Alexander Panasyuk, and a Southern University student Michael Baham.

Strachan, Leonard↗

Building a Virtual Solar Observatory: I Look Around and There's a Petabyte Following Me

The 2001 July NASA Senior Review of Sun-Earth Connections missions and data centers directed the Solar Data Analysis Center (SDAC) to proceed in studying and implementing a Virtual Solar Observatory (VSO) to ease the identification of and access to distributed archives of solar data. Any such design (cf. the National Virtual Observatory and NASA's Planetary Data System) consists of three elements: the distributed archives, a "broker" facility that translates metadata from all partner archives into a single standard for searches, and a user interface to allow searching, browsing, and download of data. Three groups are now engaged in a six-month study that will produce a candidate design and implementation roadmap for the VSO. We hope to proceed with the construction of a prototype VSO in US fiscal year 2003, with fuller deployment dependent on community reaction to and use of the capability. We therefore invite as broad as possible public comment and involvement, and invite interested parties to a "birds of a feather" session at this meeting. VSO is partnered with the European Grid of Solar Observations (EGSO), and if successful, we hope to be able to offer the VSO as the basis for the solar component of a Living With a Star data system.

Gurman, J. B.↗

On the relationship between soft X-rays and H-alpha-emitting structures during a solar flare

Based on data obtained during a solar flare on March 31, 1979, soft X-ray (SXR) and hard X-ray (HXR) bursts are analyzed and compared with other available data in order to identify structures in H-alpha that may correspond to the SXR-emitting site. Measurements taken with the X-ray telescope and the XUV spectroheliograph flown on Skylab, have shown that the SXR emission from many flares comes from rather small structures of about 10-20 arcsec across. These structures appear to be loops that cross the magnetic neutral line. Understanding of the morphology of SXR was based on data of the solar flare of June 15, 1973, observed from Skylab, and the work of Moore et al., (1980). Dense, highly emissive coronal structures, not suggested to be the X-ray source, were forming, lost energy rapidly by emission and conduction, and finally formed the loops. It is concluded that bright H-alpha loops form rapidly as the SXR emission rises, and the overall decay (cooling rate) of SXR emission is much slower than the formation time of individual loops.

Zirin, H.↗

A hard X-ray and gamma ray observation of the 22 November 1977 solar flare

The Franco-Soviet experiment package Signe 2 MP for solar and cosmic X and gamma ray observations, launched aboard a Soviet Prognoz satellite into a highly eccentric earth orbit is described. An uncollimated NaI detector 37 mm thick by 90 mm diameter, placed on the upper surface of the satellite faced the sun. A collimated lateral NaI detector 14 mm thick by 38 mm diameter also faced the sun, and a similar lateral detector faced the anti-solar direction. Data tapes reveal an intense solar flare up to energies of up to 5 MeV, with evidence for line emission at 2.23 MeV and possibly 4.4 MeV. The event observed was associated with the Mc Math Plage Region 15031, and an H-alpha flare of importance 2B. It is not yet clear what radio emission is associated with the X-ray observation.

Chambon, G.↗

Energetic particle recurrence and escape during solar cycle 20

Low-energy solar particle data have been combined from a multi-spacecraft near-earth data set covering most of solar cycle 20 (1966-1976). Particle intensity profiles have been ordered in the natural heliographic coordinate system of the estimated high coronal connection longitude of the foot point of the interplanetary field line. The recurrence trends of approximately 1-MeV solar particles become more apparent in this coordinate system than when plotted versus time, and thereby extend the evidence for regions of continual injection and escape from the corona. Intercomparison of solar particles and solar wind streams in heliographic longitude suggests that the origin of stream-associated spatial particle events seen at 1 AU is solar rather than interplanetary.

Gold, R. E.↗