Molecular oxygen densities from rocket measurements of Lyman-alpha absorption profiles
Molecular oxygen density measurements in upper atmosphere by absorption spectroscopy using solar Lyman alpha radiation
OXYGEN↗
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Extraterrestrial Lyman alpha
Extraterrestrial Lyman alpha radiation source attributed to solar Lyman alpha scattering on cold interplanetary hydrogen penetrating to inner solar system
Tinsley, B. A.↗
The dust content of the planetary nebula IC 3568
Far-infrared photometry of IC 3568 shows a substantial excess that is not suggested by 10 micron data. A recently constructed model for the nebula permits the temperature profile for dust to be computed. The calculated infrared spectrum reproduces the observations well and requires that the grains have absorption properties like those of amorphous carbon. The dust coexists in the ionized gas but is heated directly by stellar radiation; most of the Ly-alpha radiation escapes from the nebula.
Cohen, M.↗
Ionization by Lyman-alpha in the E-region at sunrise.
Electron density profiles of Nike-Apache rocket observations of nitric oxide ionization by Lyman alpha radiation in E region at sunrise
IONOSPHERIC ELECTRON DENSITY↗
Profiles of lyman-alpha scattered by free electrons in the solar corona.
Half-intensity profile width of Lyman-alpha radiation Doppler-scattered by free electrons in solar corona considered as measure of coronal temperature
FREE ELECTRON↗
The Electron Excitation Function of H Lyman-(alpha) from Threshold to 1.8 keV
The excitation function of prompt Lyman-(alpha) radiation, produced by electron impact excitation of atomic hydrogen, has been measured for the first time over an extended energy range from threshold to 1.8 keV. Measurments were obtained in a crossed-beams experiment using both magnetically confined and electrostatically focused electrons in collision with atomic hydrogen produced by an intense discharge source.
hydrogen atomic hydrogen Lyman-alpha radiation↗
(abstract) Measurement of the Total Cross Section for Excitation of the 2p State of Atomic Hydrogen by Electron Impact
The excitation function of prompt Lyman-alpha radiation, produced by electron impact excitation of atomic hydrogen in the energy range from threshold to 1.8 keV, has been measured in a crossed-beam experiment. The present data are significantly different from earlier experimental results and are in good agreement with recent theoretical convergent close coupling calculations over a two order of magnitude range in impact energy. Multistate coupling affecting the excitation function to 1 keV is apparent in both the present experimental and recent theoretical results.
Lyman-alpha radiation atomic hydrogen excitation f↗
The Strontium Filament within the Homunculus of Eta Carinae
During a series of HST/STIS observations of Eta Carinae and associated ejecta, we noticed a peculiar emission filament located a few arcseconds north of the central source. While bright in nebular standards, it is submerged in a sea of scattered starlight until moderately high dispersion, long-slit spectroscopy with the STIS (R- 8000) brings the emission lines out. The initial spectrum, centered on 6768A with the STIS G750M grating, led to identification of twenty lines from singly-Ionized species including [Sr II], [Fe II], [Ti II], [Ni II], [Mn II], and [Co II] (Zethson, etal., 2001, AJ 122,322). No Balmer emission is detected from this filament and the Fe II 2507,9 lines, known to be pumped by Lyman alpha radiation in other regions near the central source, are not detected. Followup observations have led to detection of hundreds more emission lines from iron group elements in neutral and singly-ionized states. Thus far all are excited by less than 10 eV. This peculiar nebular emission is thought to be due to very intense stellar radiation, stripped of uv flux shortward of Lyman alpha, bathing a neutral structure. We are systematically identifying the many lines (over 90% identified) and measuring line intensities that will then be modeled to determine excitation mechanisms, temperature and density. Two [Sr II] and two Sr II lines have now been measured. Bautista, etal. (in preparation) have modeled the strontium flux ratios and find that large radiation fluxes and/or high strontium abundances may account for the detected emission. These observations were supported by STIS GTO funding and GO funding through the STScI
Gull, Theodore R.↗
Hydrogen line ratios in Seyfert galaxies and low redshift quasars
New observations of the Lymal alpha radiation/hydrogen alpha radiation ratio in a set of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei and an archival study of International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations of Lymal alpha low redshift quasars and Seyfert galaxies have been used to form a large sample for studying the influence of soft X-rays on the enhancement of Balmer emission in the broad line region. In common models of broad line clouds, the Balmer lines are formed deep in the interior, largely by collisional excitation. Heating within the clouds is provided by soft X-ray radiation, while Lymal alpha is formed mainly by recombination after photoionization. The ratio Lymal alpha/Halpha is expected to depend weakly on the ratio of ionizing ultraviolet luminosity to X-ray luminosity (L sub UV/l sub x). If the Lymal alpha luminosity is used as a measure of L sub UV' a weak dependence of Lymal/H alpha on the X-ray luminosity is found similar to previous results.
Kriss, G. R.↗
The effects of ultraviolet radiation on low alpha s/epsilon surfaces
Solar ultraviolet radiation energy effect on spacecraft thermal control surfaces
RADIATION EFFECT↗
Backscatter of solar resonance radiation. II.
Calculated curves are presented for the intensity of the scattered solar Lyman alpha radiation as it would be observed at various distances from the sun by a deep space probe during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Near the sun, most of the neutral gas, and hence the emission maximum, is in the pole direction. At 2 AU from the sun, the maximum is quite broad. At greater heliocentric distances, most of the emission lies between the probe and the sun; thus, the angle which the emission maximum makes with the pole increases steadily as the probe moves out.
Johnson, H. E.↗
Solar activity influence on climatic variations of stratosphere and mesosphere in mid-latitudes
The direct modulation of temperature of the mid-latitude mesosphere by the solar-cycle EUV variation, which leads to greater heat input at higher solar activity, is well established. Middle atmosphere temperature modulation by the solar cycle is independently confirmed by the variation of reflection heights of low frequency radio waves in the lower ionosphere, which are regularly monitored over about 30 years. As explained elsewhere in detail, these reflection heights depend on the geometric altitude of a certain isobaric surface (near 80 k), and on the solar ionizing Lyman-alpha radiation flux. Knowing the solar cycle variation of Lyman-alpha how much the measured reflection heights would be lowered with the transition from solar minimum to maximum can be calculated, if the vertical baric structure of the neutral atmosphere would remain unchanged. An discrepancy between expected and observed height change must be explained by an uplifting of the isobaric level from solar minimum to maximum, caused by the temperature rise in the mesosphere. By integrating the solar cycle temperature changes over the height region of the middle atmosphere, and assuming that the lower boundary (tropopause) has no solar cycle variation, the magnitude of this uplifting can be estimated. It is given for the Lidar-derived and for the rocket-measured temperature variations. Comparison suggests that the real amplitude of the solar cycle temperature variation in the mesosphere is underestimated when using the rocket data, but probably overestimated with the Lidar data.
Taubenheim, J.↗
Infrared emission from the southern H 2 region H2-3
The H 2 region H2-3 has been found to have a large infrared flux with a luminosity of 100,000 to 200,000 solar luminosity between 1.65 and 25 microns. Most of this flux comes from a single component with the diameter of 110 in; (2 pc). At 2.2 microns there is an unresolved source which is identified as the exciting star of the nebula; it can provide the required ionization and the total luminosity observed at infrared wavelengths. The 3- to 25- microns radiation is shown to be consistent with dust heated by L alpha radiation within the nebula, but much of the 40- to 350- microns radiation probably originates from outside the H 2 region.
Becklin, E. E.↗
Infrared emission from the southern H II region H2-3
The H II region H2-3 has been found to have a large infrared flux with a luminosity of 100,000 to 200,000 solar luminosity values between 1.65 and 25 microns. Most of this flux comes from a single component with a diameter of 110 sec (2 pc). At 2.2 microns there is an unresolved source which is identified as the exciting star of the nebula; it can provide the required ionization and the total luminosity observed at infrared wavelengths. The 3- to 25 micron radiation is shown to be consistent with dust heated by L-alpha radiation within the nebula, but much of the 40- to 350-micron radiation probably originates from outside the H II region.
Becklin, E. E.↗
Upper atmosphere modifications due to chronic discharges of water vapor from space launch vehicle exhausts
The influences of transport, photodissociation, and frequency of injection on the global redistribution of water deposited in the earth's upper atmosphere by repeated launches of large rockets are investigated. Measurable environmental effects of the injected water are found to occur when the mesospheric water vapor mixing ratio exceeds 100 ppmv, which occurs over areas of order 20,000 sq km in connection with possible future Satellite Power System activities. These effects include (1) a 50% reduction in D-region ionization due to screening of L alpha radiation by water; (2) a 50% reduction of D-region ionization as a result of converting NO(+) to water cluster ions which possess more rapid recombination rates; (3) a doubling of OH concentrations below 100 km; and (4) a global doubling of nighttime E-region ionization due to L alpha and L beta radiations geocoronally scattered by atomic hydrogen released by photolysis of H2O. Mixing ratios of 1,000 ppmv necessary for the maintenance of clouds at the mesopause are reached only over areas of order 200 sq km.
Forbes, J. M.↗
Lyman-alpha observations of Comet West /1975n/
The rate of hydrogen production of Comet West is studied through rocket observation of solar Lyman-alpha radiation resonantly scattered by the escaping hydrogen atoms. Two sets of Lyman-alpha exposure sequences are used to obtain computer-smoothed brightness contour (isophote) maps covering a density range of 100:1. A simple radial outflow model is applied to the contour maps to determine the rate of hydrogen production (3.2 by 10 to the 30th power atoms/sec.) Discrepancies between the observed shape of the outer isophotes and predicted models may be explained by optical depth effects, or by the presence of small pieces of the comet's nucleus distributed along the orbit. Hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen production for Comet West and Comet Kohoutek are compared; differences may be accounted for by variations in the composition or evolution of the two comets.
Opal, C. B.↗
Ionospheric Absorption on 1539 Khz in Relation to Solar Ionizing Radiation
Radio wave absorption data on 1539 kHz for the summer period of 1978 to 1980 are considered in relation to variations of solar X-ray and L-alpha radiation. It is shown that under non-flare conditions L-alpha dominates in controlling absorption and that X-rays contribute about 10% to the total absorption. Optimum regression equations show that absorption is proportional to the m-th power of ionizing flux where m 1. The role of correcting L-alpha values, measured by the AE-E satellite, is discussed.
Boska, J.↗
The solar Ly-alpha line profile
Solar Ly-alpha irradiance measurements from the SOLar STellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) have been made since 1991 October with a spectral resolution of 0.1 nm. The uniqueness of the small molecular oxygen cross section near Ly-alpha permits the Ly-alpha radiation to penetrate much deeper into the atmosphere than the other emissions near Ly-alpha. We have taken advantage of this phenomenon by performing solar occultation experiments near the Ly-alpha to evaluate precisely the instrument scattered light contribution. After correcting for scattered light, the broad wings of the solar Ly-alpha line can be extracted out to 5 nm from line center with a typical accuracy of +/-20%. The variability in the Ly-alpha wings near 2 nm from line center is about one-half that of the Ly-alpha core emission, defined within 0.1 nm from line center. These Ly-alpha profile measurements are found to be consistent with the Skylab radiance measurements and theoretical models of the Ly-alpha line profiles computed using partial redistribution of photons in the source function.
Woods, Thomas N.↗