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Dittmer, P. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Dittmer, P. H..

An observational search for solar pulsations at periods from 7 to 70 minutes

Results are reported for measurements of the large-scale solar velocity field performed by comparing Doppler shifts from the disk center and limb with the aid of the magnetically insensitive Fe I line at 5123.730 A. Average power spectra are plotted, but no statistically significant periodicities are found at periods between 7 and 70 min. The sensitivities of the present observations and those of Hill et al. (1976) are compared, and the temperature change for an oscillation in the sun's atmosphere is calculated using the HSRA. It is concluded that the statistical significance and solar origin of the peaks in the SCLERA power spectrum are not well established and that the reality of the solar pulsations reported by Hill et al. is questionable.

Dittmer, P. H.↗

An observational search for large-scale organization of five-minute oscillations on the sun

The large-scale solar velocity field has been measured over an aperture of radius 0.8 solar radii on 121 days between April and September, 1976. Measurements are made in the line Fe I 5123.730 A, employing a velocity subtraction technique similar to that of Severny et al. (1976). Comparisons of the amplitude and frequency of the five-minute resonant oscillation with the geomagnetic C9 index and magnetic sector boundaries show no evidence of any relationship between the oscillations and coronal holes or sector structure.

Dittmer, P. H.↗

The mean magnetic field of the sun - Observations at Stanford

A solar telescope has been built to study the organization and evolution of large-scale solar magnetic fields and velocities. The observations are made using a Babcock-type magnetograph connected to a 22.9-m vertical Littrow spectrograph. Sun-as-a-star integrated-light measurements of the mean solar magnetic field have been made daily since May 1975. The typical mean-field magnitude has been about 0.15 G, with a typical measurement error of less than 0.05 G. The mean-field polarity pattern is essentially identical to the interplanetary-magnetic-field sector structure (seen near earth with a four-day lag). The differences in the observed structures can be understood in terms of a 'warped current sheet' model.

Scherrer, P. H.↗

The mean magnetic field of the sun: Observations at Stanford

A solar telescope was built at Stanford University to study the organization and evolution of large-scale solar magnetic fields and velocities. The observations are made using a Babcock-type magnetograph which is connected to a 22.9 m vertical Littrow spectrograph. Sun-as-a-star integrated light measurements of the mean solar magnetic field were made daily since May 1975. The typical mean field magnitude is about 0.15 gauss with typical measurement error less than 0.05 gauss. The mean field polarity pattern is essentially identical to the interplanetary magnetic field sector structure (seen near the earth with a 4 day lag). The differences in the observed structures can be understood in terms of a warped current sheet model.

Scherrer, P. H.↗

Large-Scale periodic solar velocities: An observational study

Observations of large-scale solar velocities were made using the mean field telescope and Babcock magnetograph of the Stanford Solar Observatory. Observations were made in the magnetically insensitive ion line at 5124 A, with light from the center (limb) of the disk right (left) circularly polarized, so that the magnetograph measures the difference in wavelength between center and limb. Computer calculations are made of the wavelength difference produced by global pulsations for spherical harmonics up to second order and of the signal produced by displacing the solar image relative to polarizing optics or diffraction grating.

Dittmer, P. H.↗

The relationship between solar flares and solar sector boundaries

A superposed epoch analysis of 1964-1970 solar flares shows a marked increase in flare occurrence within a day of (-+) solar sector boundaries, as well as a local minimum in flare occurrence near (+-) sector boundaries. This perference for (-+) boundaries is more noticeable for Northern Hemisphere flares, where these polarities match the Hale polarity law, but is not reversed in the south. Plage regions do not show such a perference.

Dittmer, P. H.↗