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NASA NTRS1978

The LPSP instrument on OSO 8. II - In-flight performance and preliminary results

The paper describes the in-flight performance for the first 18 months of operation of the LPSP (Laboratoire de Physique Stellaire et Planetaire) instrument incorporated in the OSO 8 launched June 1975. By means of the instrument, an absolute pointing accuracy of nearly one second was achieved in orbit during real-time operations. The instrument uses a Cassegrain telescope and a spectrometer simultaneously observing six wavelengths. In-flight performance is discussed with attention to angular resolution, spectral resolution, dispersion and grating mechanism (spectral scanner) stability, scattered light background and dark current, photometric standardization, and absolute calibration. Real-time operation and problems are considered with reference to pointing system problems, target acquisition, and L-alpha modulation. Preliminary results involving the observational program, quiet sun and chromospheric studies, quiet chromospheric oscillation and transients, sunspots and active regions, prominences, and aeronomy investigations are reported.

Bonnet, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

The association of nonthermal electrons with non-flaring coronal transients

A close temporal and spatial association has been found between erupting filaments/coronal transients and radio noise storm continua. The three transients studied occurred away from active regions and are members of a class not usually accompanied by chromospheric emission. The data analyzed were from the S-054 soft X-ray telescope on Skylab and from one- and two-dimensional interferometers at meter and decameter wavelengths at Nancay and Clark Lake observatories. Calculations confirmed that observed microwave radiation from the transients is due to thermal bremsstrahlung. The results are consistent with an interpretation of heating of an increased amount of coronal plasma by nonthermal, 10-100 keV electrons. Three possibilities for the source of the material are described: (1) the filament material; (2) evaporation from the chromosphere or transition region; and (3) via a long-lived reconnection process.

Webb, D. F.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Flux measurements of CA II H and K emission

A four-channel photon-counting spectrophotometer (designated HKP-2) is described which is designed for measuring stellar chromospheric calcium emission. The HKP-2 is calibrated, and its performance and accuracy evaluated, by observing 63 of Wilson's (1968) program stars on the same nights with both the HKP-2 and a coude scanner designated HKP-1. The results of the observations are discussed in terms of the calibration of mean H-K flux indices, variations in individual stellar fluxes, the flux ratio for H and K, and the instrument color index. It is shown that the HKP-2 provides satisfactory performance in the measurement of stellar chromospheric emission in a manner closely analogous to the method of Wilson and that a single observation yields a color index as well as flux indices for H and K that can be calibrated and transferred unambiguously to Wilson's system of measurement.

Vaughan, A. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Analysis of time dependent phenomena observed with the LPSP OSO-8 instrument

The dynamics of the solar photosphere and chromosphere are studied. Observations obtained by the Laboratorie de Physique Stellaire et Planetaire's (LPSP) ultraviolet spectrometer onboard the OSO-8 spacecraft are analyzed, and dynamic models of the chromosphere and the emitted resonance line spectrum are calculated. Some of the unpublished data analysis and theoretical modeling which are being prepared for publication are discussed. A discussion of the state of the theory of velocity fields in the solar atmosphere is also presented. An invited review presented at the OSO-8 Workshop on the topic of oscillatory motions in the quiet sun is included. The results of the OSO-8 data analysis prepared in close collaboration with LPSP scientists are presented. Material for two articles is also presented.

Leibacher, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Emission lines of H2 in the extreme-ultraviolet solar spectrum

A sunspot EUV spectrum covering the wavelength range from 1175 to 1714 A with high spatial and spectral resolution is examined which contains about 200 lines not previously reported in solar spectra. Many of the lines are identified as transitions in the Lyman bands of H2. It is shown that the H2 lines are photoexcited not only by H L-alpha, as reported previously, but also by the strong transition-region lines of C II, Si IV, and O IV. The line intensities are analyzed as far as is possible at present, and differences between the quiet chromosphere and the sunspot chromosphere are deduced. The polarization of the observed lines is briefly discussed, the importance of the H L-alpha fluorescence mechanism for the excitation of the H2 Lyman bands is demonstrated, and it is concluded that the H2 lines could also be observable in stars of spectral type later than the sun.

Jordan, C.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The site, size, spatial stability, and energetics of an X-ray flare kernel

The site, size evolution, and energetics of an X-ray kernel that dominated a solar flare during its rise and somewhat during its peak are investigated. The position of the kernel remained stationary to within about 3 arc sec over the 30-min interval of observations, despite pulsations in the kernel X-ray brightness in excess of a factor of 10. This suggests a tightly bound, deeply rooted magnetic structure, more plausibly associated with the near chromosphere or low corona rather than with the high corona. The H-alpha flare onset coincided with the appearance of the kernel, again suggesting a close spatial and temporal coupling between the chromospheric H-alpha event and the X-ray kernel. At the first kernel brightness peak its size was no larger than about 2 arc sec, when it accounted for about 40% of the total flare flux. In the second rise phase of the kernel, a source power input of order 2 times 10 to the 24th ergs/sec is minimally required.

Petrasso, R.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Hydrodynamic simulations of flare/surge events

A one-dimensional, hydrodynamic, time-dependent model which simulates the major observed dynamics of flare associated surges was developed. The thermodynamics, the surge mass, the time scales, the physical dimensions, and the velocities of typical surge events are reproduced. The surge is created by a sudden pressure increase at the top of the chromosphere, and this pressure pulse produces a disturbance which is followed, with a time-dependent numerical solution, as it propagates upward through the transition region and into the corona. The leading edge of the disturbance is a weak shock which has only a slight effect on the original transition region and coronal thermodynamics. The major effect occurs behind the shock where the temperature is decreased and the density is increased, and this cool, dense region moves upward then falls downward. After the material begins returning to the chromosphere, a second shock is formed which propagates upward, brings the infalling material to rest, and returns the atmosphere to hydrostatic equilibrium.

Steinolfson, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Empirical studies of solar flares: Comparison of X-ray and H alpha filtergrams and analysis of the energy balance of the X-ray plasma

The physics of solar flares was investigated through a combined analysis of X-ray filtergrams of the high temperature coronal component of flares and H alpha filtergrams of the low temperature chromospheric component. The data were used to study the magnetic field configuration and its changes in solar flares, and to examine the chromospheric location and structure of X-ray bright points (XPB) and XPB flares. Each topic and the germane data are discussed. The energy balance of the thermal X-ray plasma in flares, while not studied, is addressed.

Moore, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The High Altitude Observatory Coronagraph/Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission

The paper examines the High Altitude Observatory Coronagraph/Polarimeter designed to produce images of the solar corona in 7 wavelength bands in the visible spectral range, and to be flown on the NASA Solar Maximum Mission satellite. The spectral bands were chosen to exclude or include 'chromospheric' spectral lines, so as to allow discrimination between ejecta at coronal and chromospheric temperatures. The major goals of the instrument include: (1) observation of the corona in the flare process and of the ejecta from the flare site and the overlying corona, and (2) examination of the evolution of the solar corona near the period of solar maximum activity.

Macqueen, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Hybrid atmospheres and winds in supergiant stars

Ultraviolet spectra showing evidence for hybrid chromospheres and winds are found in the supergiant Alpha Aqr (G2 Ib) and Beta Aqr (G0 Ib). Characteristics of both solar-type transition regions and the cool chromospheric regions typical of later supergiants such as Lambda Vel (K5 Ib) are present. This suggests a gradual transition between activity and winds analogous to solar conditions and the cool, massive winds of luminous late-type stars.

Hartmann, L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The ultraviolet spectrum of the T Tauri star RW Aurigae

Ultraviolet spectra of the T Tauri star RW Aurigae have been obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Emission lines include Mg II, Fe II, Cr II, Si I, Si II, Si III, Si IV, C II, C IV, and L alpha. The spectrum roughly resembles the solar chromospheric spectrum, but the surface fluxes are 200 times greater. N V and He II appear to be absent, a possible indication of either an extended chromosphere cooled by mass loss or an optically thick, hot shocked region. The ultraviolet excess in RW Aur is strong, consistent with Balmer continuum emission. The observed continuum may be used to set limits on the type and amount of extinction affecting the star.

Imhoff, C. L.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Theoretical studies of the RS cannum venaticorum stars

Four areas of research were investigated: chromospheric modelling; starspot modelling; supersonic transition locus (STL) crossing; and STL crossing and T Tauri phenomena. Relationships among these areas of research are presented. Stellar structure and mass ejection for these stars were examined along with chromospheric analysis.

Mullan, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

IUE spectra of F and late A stars

The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spectra of alpha CMi (F5 IV-V), beta Cas (F2 IV), alpha Car (F0 Ib), and gamma Boo (A7 III) in the context of the question as to whether chromospheres disappear in the early F late A portions of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Both alpha CMi (Procyon) and beta Cas show bright emission line spectra indicative of chromospheres and transition regions, but neither alpha Car (Canopus) nor gamma Boo show any evidence of emission in their SWP spectra or at the Mg II lines, despite very deep exposures. Alpha CMi has emission line fluxes roughly 6 times those of the quiet Sun, but the rapidly rotating delta Scuti type variable beta Cas has surface fluxes 10 to 50 times those of the quiet Sun. Upper limits on emission line fluxes for alpha Car are 4 to 20 and for gamma Boo 15 to 80 times the quiet Sun. It is concluded that the apparent absence of emission lines in the spectra of alpha Car and gamma Boo should not be interpreted as due to the absence of nonradiatively heated outer atmospheres in stars hotter than spectral type F0, but rather to the inability to see emission lines with IUE against a background of scattered light and a bright photospheric absorption line spectrum either in low or high dispersion.

Linsky, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Solar magnetic structure and the solar activity cycle review of observational data

Data on solar magnetism that may offer clues for understanding stellar magnetism in general were reviewed. Magnetic phenomena in the photosphere and low chromosphere, where the magnetic structure can be studied in detail, are discussed. Properties of the discrete magnetic elements and their extensions through the chromosphere and transition zone up to the corona are described. The structure and evolution of active regions and other structured aggregates of magnetic elements are considered.

Zwaan, C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Microwave solar limb brightening

Previous models of microwave limb brightening have omitted the alignment of spicules along supergranule boundaries, have neglected the high temperature sheath around spicules, and have assumed an interspicular medium which was averaged over chromospheric network and nonnetwork regions. A model is presented here which includes these factors. Constraining the model to conform to results from earlier UV and optical studies in effect leaves two free parameters: the temperature at the core of the spicules and (at solar minimum) the interspicular chromospheric network density model of the lower transition zone. The absence of limb brightening at the short millimeter wavelengths implies a temperature at the core of the spicules less than approximately 6000 K. Differences between the model and certain deconvolved observations near 9 mm are expected as a consequence of an extension of emission beyond the optical limb, predicted by the model, which affects the accuracy of the deconvolution technique. Unlike models which assume homogeneous spicules in a random distribution, the model presented here does not require an abnormally high spicule area.

Ahmad, I. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

What produces the high densities observed in solar flare plasmas

Attention is drawn to the implications of the high densities observed in flare plasmas in the wide temperature range from 10 to the 4th K to more than 10 to the 7th K. The chromospheric evaporation theory for the decay phase is discussed, and it is found that it is not consistent with the observations. It is pointed out that all the flare mechanisms proposed so far, e.g., magnetic field reconnection in various geometries, have entirely ignored the fundamental problem of how the high densities arise in the first place, and, in fact, they are unable to answer this question. It is suggested that compressional heatings of a flaring loop might be responsible for the density and emission measure (EM) increases observed in flare plasmas. Chromospheric evaporation associated with local heating in the initial rising phase of the flare, in distinction to the existing evaporation theory which assumes a coronal heating source, is also discussed. Possible observational tests, utilizing the newly launched Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite, are presented.

Cheng, C.-C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Umbral oscillations as resonant modes of magneto-atmospheric waves

Umbral oscillations in sunspots are identified as a resonant response of the umbral atmosphere to forcing by oscillatory convection in the subphotosphere. The full, linearized equations for magnetoatmospheric waves are solved numerically for a detailed model of the umbral atmosphere, for both forced and free oscillations. Resonant 'fast' modes are found, the lowest mode having a period of 153 s, typical of umbral oscillations. A comparison is made with a similar analysis by Uchida and Sakurai (1975), who calculated resonant modes using an approximate ('quasi-Alfven') form of the wave equations. Whereas both analyses give an appropriate value for the period of oscillation, several new features of the motion follow from the full equations. The resonant modes are due to upward reflection in the subphotosphere (due to increasing sound speed) and downward reflection in the photosphere and low chromosphere (due to increasing Alfven speed); downward reflection at the chromosphere-corona transition is unimportant for these modes.

Scheuer, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A mechanism for solar ultraviolet flux variability

Following an examination of solar UV emission observed by a filter photometer on Nimbus IV from 1969 to 1973 in an attempt to understand the 27-day and secular variability, two models are proposed to account for the variations: (1) a calcium plage model and (2) a chromospheric network faculae and spicule structure model. An association between UV brightenings and the large scale magnetic field has been found to be consistent with the network model. An increase in the UV emittance can be achieved by raising the effective chromospheric temperature closer to a photospheric level. If the sun's luminosity is constant on these time intervals, the enhanced UV radiation could be partially offset by an overall decrease in photospheric temperature such as that measured by Livingston (1978) in visible photospheric profiles.

Schatten, K. H.↗