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Hansen, R. T.

Publications and source records attributed to Hansen, R. T..

14 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Coronal streamers in the solar wind at 1 AU

Virtually all solar wind observing groups have reported substantial variations in the solar wind helium-hydrogen abundance ratio (A(He)). A study of Los Alamos Imp solar wind data has revealed an association between low A(He) and high proton density that occurs at low flow speeds and that is correlated with polarity reversals of the interplanetary magnetic field. The current investigation has the objective to present further examples of the low A(He), high proton density, low speed, magnetic field polarity association, and to document the common occurrence of multiple events lasting approximately 3-7 days. The results are presented of attempts to relate these events directly to maps or isophotes of solar coronal brightness at 1.5 solar radii. The results of the investigation suggest that a substantial fraction of the low-speed solar wind originates in coronal streamers, particularly near solar minimum.

Gosling, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Dynamics of flare sprays

During solar cycle No. 20 new insight into the flare-spray phenomenon has been attained due to several innovations in solar optical-observing techniques (higher spatial resolution cinema-photography, tunable passband filters, multislit spectroscopy and extended angular field coronagraphs). From combined analysis of 13 well-observed sprays which occurred between 1969-1974 it is concluded that (1) the spray material originates from a preexisting active region filament which undergoes increased absorption some tens of minutes prior to the abrupt chromospheric brightening at the 'flare-start', and (2) the spray material is confined within a steadily expanding, loop-shaped (presumable magnetically controlled) envelope with part of the materials draining back down along one or both legs of the loop.

Tandberg-Hanssen, E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar coronal holes and cosmic ray intensity variations

A relationship between the (North-South) asymmetry in the areas of the solar polar coronal holes and the (North-South) anisotropy in the cosmic ray intensity is examined. The investigation was extended over a period of two years, using ground based observations of coronal brightness obtained by the K-Coronameter. Periods for study of cosmic ray variations were chosen maximizing the asymmetry of the polar coronal holes. The importance of the role played by coronal holes in the solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays is emphasized.

Venkatesan, D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The preflare state

The accumulation, storage and irreversible release of the free energy necessary for a solar flare are discussed on the basis of data obtained from the Apollo Telescope Mount on Skylab and other pertinent sources. Skylab and OSO 7 observations of possible flare precursors and flare evolution are presented, and the evolution of the flare of Sept. 5, 1973, the most completely observed flare of the Skylab program, is described in detail, with account given to magnetic structures and H alpha radiation. Theories of the preflare state are then reviewed, with attention given to the force-free fields and coronal arcades, thermal and magnetic structures and the MHD stability of coronal loops.

Van Hoven, G.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Mass ejections

Observations and model simulations of solar mass ejection phenomena are examined in an investigation of flare processes. Consideration is given to Skylab and other observations of flare-associated sprays, eruptive prominences, surges and coronal transients, and to MHD, gas dynamic and magnetic loop models developed to account for them. Magnetic forces are found to confine spray material, which originates in preexisting active-region filaments, within steadily expanding loops, while surges follow unmoving, preexisting magnetic field lines. Simulations of effects of a sudden pressure pulse at the bottom of the corona are found to exhibit many characteristics of coronal transients associated with flares, and impulsive heating low in the chromosphere is found to be able to account for surges. The importance of the magnetic field as the ultimate source of energy which drives eruptive phenomena as well as flares is pointed out.

Rust, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Time delay occultation data of the Helios spacecraft for probing the electron density distribution in the solar corona

S-band time delay measurements were collected from the spacecraft Helios A and B during three solar occultations in 1975/76 within heliocentric distances of about 3 and 215 earth radius in terms of range, Doppler frequency shift, and electron content. Characteristic features of measurement and data processing are described. Typical data sets are discussed to probe the electron density distribution near the sun (west and east limb as well) including the outer and extended corona. Steady-state and dynamical aspects of the solar corona are presented and compared with earth-bound-K-coronagraph measurements. Using a weighted least squares estimation, parameters of an average coronal electron density profile are derived in a preliminary analysis to yield electron densities at r = 3, 65, 215 earth radius. Transient phenomena are discussed and a velocity of propagation v is nearly equal to 900 km/s is determined for plasma ejecta from a solar flare observed during an extraordinary set of Helios B electron content measurements.

Edenhofer, P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Direct observation of the latitudinal extent of a high-speed stream in the solar wind

The latitudinal boundaries of stationary fast solar wind streams emerging from equatorward extensions of the sun's polar coronal holes are studied. Simultaneous data from the Helios 1 and Imp spacecraft at different heliographic latitudes are compared. The measured latitudinal speed gradient of 30 km/s/deg shows that large angular speed gradients occur at the leading edges of fast streams and also with respect to latitude. The data indicate that longitudinal speed gradients are steeper near 0.3 AU than at 1.0 AU. Generally, regions with large angular speed gradients are observed to separate fast streams from the surrounding slower plasma. This suggests the existence of mechanisms which diminish longitudinal speed gradients as the plasma travels toward 1.0 AU. It also seems that the distribution of solar wind speeds on a near-sun spherical surface has large mesalike high-speed regions. Comparisons of Helios 1 and Imp data with corona observations supports the hypothesis that high-speed solar wind streams emerge from coronal holes.

Schwenn, R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Time delay occultation data of the Helios spacecrafts and preliminary analysis for probing the solar corona

S-band time delay measurements were collected from the spacecrafts Helios A and B during three solar occultations in 1975/76 within heliocentric distances of about 3 and 215 solar radii in terms of range, Doppler frequency shift, and electron content. A description is given concerning some characteristic features of the methods of measurement and data processing. Typical data sets are discussed to probe the electron density distribution near the sun (west and east limb as well) including the outer and extended corona. Steady-state and dynamical aspects of the solar corona are presented and compared with earth-bound K-coronagraph measurements. Using a weighted least squares estimation 3 parameters of an average coronal electron density profile are derived in a preliminary analysis to yield electron densities of about 130 billion; 100 million; 7 million/cu m at r?3; 65; 215 solar radii. Transient phenomena are discussed and a velocity of propagation v approximately 900 km/s for plasma ejecta from a solar flare is determined from an extraordinary set of Helios B electron content measurements on April 30/May 1, 1976.

Edenhofer, P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar-cycle dependence of galactic cosmic ray flux. II - The correlation between the nucleonic flux and solar indices

To investigate the relationship between solar activity and cosmic-ray modulation, time series of the nucleonic flux and of solar plages, sunspots, centimeter radio noise, and the brightness of the white-light corona at 1.1 and 1.5 solar radii from the center of sun are cross-correlated. Data pertain to the years 1964-1967 during the ascending phase of the current solar cycle. The amplitudes and phases of correlation functions for filtered and unfiltered indices are discussed. The existence of a superior solar index for relating solar activity to long-term modulation is not yet demonstrated conclusively, and the time lag of modulation is too poorly determined to permit its use in estimating the radius of the modulation region.

Parker, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The sources of material comprising a mass ejection coronal transient

The origin of the material ejected during a white-light coronal transient on August 26 and 27, 1973, is investigated using simultaneous observations of a slowly ascending prominence and the more rapid accompanying coronal transient. Nearly identical simultaneous images of the prominence were obtained over a six-hour period in the H-alpha and He II (304 A) emission lines; contemporaneous Skylab coronograph observations over approximately 1.5 hours showed that the mass-ejection coronal transient rose above the ascending prominence. Based on analysis of these observations, it is concluded that: (1) the bulk of the ejected material originated in the lower corona, despite the lack of an observed depletion there; (2) the material in the transient was at coronal temperature and was visible in polarized radiation due to Thomson scattering of photospheric light by free electrons; and (3) the total event was far larger, more energetic, and longer lasting than would have been inferred from the prominence observations alone.

Hildner, E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A distinctive type of ascending prominence - 'Fountain'

Cinematographic observations of solar prominences made at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, during the past few years suggest that there is a well-defined subclass of ascending prominences characterized by closed-system transference of chromospheric material along an arch or loop (up one leg and down the other). While this occurs, the entire prominence envelope steadily rises upward and expands through the corona. These prominences are denoted as 'fountains'. Several examples are described. Fountains appear to be well contained by coronal magnetic fields. Their total kinetic energy is of the order of 10 to the 30th power erg, but dissipation is typically quite slow (over time periods of 100 min or so), so that the correlative disturbances (radio bursts, coronal transients, chromospheric brightenings) are generally not spectacular or nonexistent.

Tandberg-Hanssen, E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Observations of coronal disturbances from 1 to 9 solar radii. I - First event of 1973 January 11

H alpha, white-light and radio observations of a coronal disturbance on Jan. 11, 1973, commencing at about 0036 hr UT show that a piston-driven shock wave propagated outward through the corona to heights of at least 9 solar radii. Probably most of the expelled coronal gas originated in a coronal enhancement in the lower corona. An estimate of the kinetic energy and the mass of the expelled gas is obtained which is compatible with observations of piston-driven shock waves near the earth. Shock-wave parameters are evaluated, and a model of the disturbance is outlined.

Stewart, R. T.↗