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At least 775 records · Page 43
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NASA NTRS1984

Characteristics of flares producing metric type II bursts and coronal mass ejections

An attempt is made to study the origin of coronal shocks by comparing several flare characteristics for two groups of flares: those with associated metric type II bursts and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and those with associated metric type II bursts but no CMEs. CMEs accompany about 60 percent of all flares with type II bursts for solar longitudes greater than 30 deg, where CMEs are well observed with the NRL Solwind coronagraph. H-alpha flare areas, 1-8 A X-ray fluxes, and impulsive 3-cm fluxes are all statistically smaller for events with no CMEs than for events with CMEs. It appears that both compact and large mass ejection flares are associated with type II bursts. The events with no CMEs imply that at least many type II shocks are not piston-driven, but the large number of events of both groups with small 3 cm bursts does not support the usual assumption that type II shocks are produced by large energy releases in flare impulsive phases. The poor correlation between 3 cm burst fluxes and the occurrence of type II bursts may be due to large variations in the coronal Alfven velocity.

Kahler, S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spartan - Space at low-cost

Mission profiles and objectives of the Spartan Shuttle payload are described. Spartan was designed to provide extended observations normally carried out for only a few minutes using sounding rockets. The payload will be placed in co-orbit with the Orbiter by the RMS arm and controlled by a ground-based researcher or by an on-board program. Spartan features minimal battery power, batteries, and control systems and no redundancy. Thermal control is added because the flights last 100-1000 times as long as those on sounding rockets. Data are recorded by an on-board tape recorder and operations are controlled by an on-board microprocessor. Spartan 1 will carry a star-pointer and X-ray detectors for high energy astrophysics experiments. Spartan 2 will gather solar physics data in the form of temperatures of hydrogen gas and ions and electrons. Particle densities will also be monitored and a 43 cm solar telescope will produce UV and white light solar coronagraphs. UV spectroscopy of stars, clouds and galaxies will be performed by the Spartan 3 payload.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

Observation of a coronal transient from 1.2 to 6 solar radii

The paper describes in detail the eruptive prominence associated coronal mas ejection of August 5, 1980, as seen in both the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) coronagraph polarimeter and the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) K coronameter and prominence monitor. This event gives the first detailed look at the propagation of a 'depletion' transient into the outer corona. The event begins in the MLO K coronameter as a rising depletion of material, but appears later in the SMM coronograph as an ordinary coronal mass ejection with a three-part structure: a bright core within a dark lunette surrounded by a bright featureles 'loop'. A joint time-height plot of the major structures of the eruption seen by both instruments suggests that the three-part structure in the outer corona can be associated with features in the low corona (prominence, prominence cavity, outer bright front). It is argued from its observed mass that the leading loop in the SMM field of view is probably material that was in the background corona before the event. It is suggested that this material has been displaced and set into motion by the rising 'cavity.'

Illing, R. M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The correlation of coronal mass ejections with energetic flare proton events

Proton events of energies of at least 4 MeV presumed due to solar flares are compared with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed with an orbiting coronagraph. H alpha flares are associated with 27 of the 50 flare proton events of the study. Each of these 27 flares is then associated temporally and spatially with a CME, confirming the earlier conclusion, based on Skylab data, that a CME may be a necessary condition for a flare proton event. Peak 4-22 MeV proton fluxes correlate with both the speeds and the angular sizes of the associated CMEs. CMEs of larger angular sizes are more likely to be loops or fans rather than jets or spikes and are more likely to intersect the ecliptic.

Kahler, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Soft X-ray telescope (SXRT)

The soft X-ray telescope (SXRT) will provide direct images of the solar corona with spatial resolution of about 1 arcsecond. These images will show the global structure of the corona, the location and area of coronal holes, and the presence of even the smallest active regions and flares. The good spatial resolution will show the fine scale magnetic structure and changes in these phenomena. These observations are essential for monitoring, predicting, and understanding the solar magnetic cycle, coronal heating, solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and the solar wind. These observations complement those of the White Light Coronagraph and Ultra-Violet Coronal Spectrometer; the SXRT will detect active regions and coronal holes near the east limb, thereby giving a week or more of advanced warning for disturbed geomagnetic conditions at Earth. The instrument consists of a grazing incidence collecting mirror with a full-disk film camera at the primary focus, and a secondary relay optic that feeds a CCD camera with a field of view about the size of an average active region.

Moore, R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Interpretation of coronal synoptic observations

Three-dimensional reconstruction techniques used to determine coronal density distributions from synoptic data are complicated and time consuming to employ. Current techniques also assume time invariant structures and thus mix both temporal and spatial variations present in the coronal data. The observed distribution of polarized brightness, pB, and brightness, B, of coronal features observed either at eclipses or with coronagraphs depends upon both the three-dimensional distribution of electron density within the structure and the location of the feature with respect to the plane-of-the-sky. By theoretically studying the signature of various coronal structures as they would appear during a limb transit, it is possible to recognize these patterns in real synoptic data as well as estimate temporal evolutionary effects.

Munro, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Direct detection of extra-solar planetary systems from the ground and space

This paper discusses recent work in the development of instrumentation used for the direct detection of planetary systems from ground-based and space-based observatories. Direct methods such as CCD coronagraphic imaging of nearby stars must overcome the large contrast differences between parent star and the circumstellar material. However, these methods have the advantage over indirect methods in that more advanced space-based direct detection instrumentation can lead to a significantly greater science return.

Terrile, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

White-light and radio sounding observations of coronal transients

A concerted search for coronal transients was conducted with the 'Solwind' coronagraph during the solar occultations of the two Helios spacecraft in October/November 1979. The polarization angle and bandwidth of the linearly polarized S-band downlink signal were monitored at the three 64-m tracking stations of the NASA Deep Space Network to determine coronal Faraday rotation and spectral broadening. A one-to-one correspondence could be established between abrupt disturbances in the two signal parameters and the passage of a white-light transient through the signal ray path from spacecraft to earth. The white-light morphology and the additional information provided by the radio sounding coverage are presented for each of the five distinct events recorded. Although no specific example could be observed in sufficient detail in both white light and Faraday rotation to derive the small-scale magnetic structure, some qualitative descriptions of the orientation and rough estimates of the magnitude of the transient magnetic field could be made.

Bird, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Solar filament eruptions and energetic particle events

The 1981 December 5 solar filament eruption that is associated with an energetic (E greater than 50 MeV) particle event observed at 1 AU. The eruption was photographed in H-alpha and was observed by the Solwind whitelight coronagraph on P78-1. It occurred well away from any solar active region and was not associated with an impulsive microwave burst, indicating that magnetic complexity and a detectable impulsive phase are not required for the production of a solar energetic particle (SEP) event. No metric type II or IV emission was observed, but an associated interplanetary type II burst was detected by the low-frequency radio experiment on ISEE 3. The December 5 and two other SEP events lacking evidence for low coronal shocks had unusually steep energy spectra (gamma greater than 3.5). In terms of shock acceleration, this suggests that shocks formed relatively high in the corona may produce steeper energy spectra than those formed at lower altitudes. It is noted that the filament itself maybe one source of the ions accelerated to high energies, since it is the only plausible coronal source of the He(+) ions observed in SEP events.

Kahler, S. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Solar gradual hard X-ray bursts and associated phenomena

White-light coronagraph, H-alpha and radio data are presented as well as hard X-ray data for a sample of 10 gradual hard X-ray bursts (GHBs) in an attempt to better understand the nature of these events. It is found that: (1) the hard X-ray photon energy spectrum began to harden near the onset of the GHBs and continued in this fashion during the decay phase; (2) a coronal mass ejection (CME) occurred in association with at least nine of the GHBs; (3) the GHBs occurred in the late phase of major flares; (4) the centimeter wavelength bursts associated with the GHBs had relatively low frequency spectral maxima, and in relation to the observed hard X-ray emission, they were microwave-rich; (5) the associated decimetric bursts showed significant intensity variations on time scales ranging from 0.1 to approximately greater than 1 minute; and (6) the GHBs were most strongly associated with type IV events. It is concluded that the acceleration and trapping of radiating electrons occurs in the postflare loop systems following CMEs.

Cliver, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Three-dimensional magnetostatic models of the large-scale corona

A special class of magnetostatic equilibria is described, which are mathematically simple and yet sufficiently versatile so as to fit any arbitrary normal magnetic flux prescribed at the photosphere. With these solutions, the corona can be modeled with precisely the same mathematically simple procedure as has previously been done with potential fields. The magnetostatic model predicts, in addition to the coronal magnetic field, the three dimensional coronal density which can be compared with coronagraph observations.

Bogdan, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Origins of the solar wind in the corona

The coronal origins of the solar wind are considered. Potential sources of low-speed wind which are consistent with current data, including streamers and the interfaces between them and other coronal regions, await mass flow measurements for confirmation. A Doppler-dimming technique utilizing a white-light coronagraph and UV coronal spectrometer is to be employed aboard the Space Shuttle SPARTAN program, and its usage on Ulysses may provide information on mass flows in streamers and their surroundings.

Withbroe, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Disruption of a coronal streamer by an eruptive prominence and coronal mass ejection

The coronal mass ejection of August 18, 1980 is analyzed using images from the coronagraph on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite. The event occurred at the site of a large coronal helmet streamer and evolved into the three-part structure of a bright frontal shell, followed by a relatively dark space surrounding a bright filamentary core as seen in many mass ejections of the SMM epoch. The bright core can be identified as material from a prominence whose eruption was observed from the ground. The mass of the frontal shell is equal to that of the coronal helmet streamer, indicating that the shell is the coronal material previously in the helmet streamer, displaced and set into motion by the erupting prominence and surrounding cavity. The mass ejected in the bright core (or prominences) is estimated to be 50 percent larger than the 'coronal' material in the front loop.

Illing, R. M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The coronal mass ejection of July 6, 1980 - A candidate for interpretation as a coronal shock wave

The July 6, 1980 looplike coronal mass ejection observed with the Solar Maximum Mission coronagraph is described and analyzed. Two observations are given special consideration: (1) the sides of the loop moved laterally while they were visible and did not form stationary bright columns, or 'legs', in the late stage, and (2) raylike features initially outside the mass ejection loop were not pushed aside or bent until the laterally moving loop sides passed over them. These observations, as well as the results of quantitative analysis of the motion of the bright loop, are consistent with the identification of the bright loop as a shock front. The loop top moved outward faster (at about 1000 km/s) than most mass ejections studied previously, and possibly faster than the Alfven speed in the corona, while the loop sides moved laterally at a speed of about 800 km/s and showed no evidence of deceleration. The excess mass in the bright loop is estimated to be less than about 2 x 10 to the 14th g, well below the value found to be typical of coronal mass ejections.

Sime, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The velocity field of a coronal mass ejection - The event of September 1, 1980

The velocity field of a mass ejection that was observed by the coronagraph of the SMM satellite over the northwest limb of the sun at about 0600 UT on September 1, 1980 is studied in detail. A descriptive account of the event is given, concentrating on qualitative features of the mass motion and suggesting a possible origin of the unusual two-loop structure. The velocity field is analyzed quantitatively, and the implications of the results for the mass ejection theory are considered. It is concluded that a self-similar description of the velocity field is a gross oversimplification and that although some evidence of wave propagation can be found, the bright features in the mass ejection are plasma structures moving with frozen-in magnetic fields, rather than waves propagating through plasmas and magnetic fields.

Low, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Activity associated with the solar origin of coronal mass ejections

Solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed in 1980 with the HAO Coronagraph/Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite are compared with other forms of solar activity that might be physically related to the ejections. The solar phenomena checked and the method of association used were intentionally patterned after those of Munro et al.'s (1979) analysis of mass ejections observed with the Skylab coronagraph to facilitate comparison of the two epochs. Comparison of the results reveals that the types and degree of CME associations are similar near solar activity minimum and at maximum. For both epochs, most CMEs with associations had associated eruptive prominences, and the proportions of association of all types of activity were similar. A high percentage of association between SMM CMEs and X-ray long duration events is also found, in agreement with Skylab results. It is concluded that most CMEs are the result of the destabilization and eruption of a prominence and its overlying coronal structure, or of a magnetic structure capable of supporting a prominence.

Webb, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Energetic interplanetary shocks, radio emission, and coronal mass ejections

The interplanetary shocks which generate detectable low-frequency radio emission, represent as a group, the most energetic shocks produced by the sun. For all interplanetary (IP) shocks which generated so-called IP type II events, the associated solar events involved fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs). In comparison with the set of all CMEs detected by the Solwind coronagraph, the CMEs associated with IP type II events are the most massive and energetic. The majority belong to the structural classes described by the Solwind researchers as 'curved front' or 'halo'.

Cane, H. V.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Solar origins of coronal mass ejections

The large scale properties of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), such as morphology, leading edge speed, and angular width and position, have been cataloged for many events observed with coronagraphs on the Skylab, P-78, and SMM spacecraft. While considerable study has been devoted to the characteristics of the SMEs, their solar origins are still only poorly understood. Recent observational work has involved statistical associations of CMEs with flares and filament eruptions, and some evidence exists that the flare and eruptive-filament associated CMEs define two classes of events, with the former being generally more energetic. Nevertheless, it is found that eruptive-filament CMEs can at times be very energetic, giving rise to interplanetary shocks and energetic particle events. The size of the impulsive phase in a flare-associated CME seems to play no significant role in the size or speed of the CME, but the angular sizes of CMEs may correlate with the scale sizes of the 1-8 angstrom x-ray flares. At the present time, He 10830 angstrom observations should be useful in studying the late development of double-ribbon flares and transient coronal holes to yield insights into the CME aftermath. The recently available white-light synoptic maps may also prove fruitful in defining the coronal conditions giving rise to CMEs.

Kahler, Stephen↗