Engineering topics

Henze, W., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Henze, W., Jr..

12 records

NASA NTRS1984

Research in solar physics: Some techniques for analyzing data from the ultraviolet spectrometer and polarimeter

Useful information for certain aspects of the analysis of data obtained by the Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter (UVSP) on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) are contained. The meaning of the UVSPCO-ordinate system and the SMM roll, pitch, and yaw are described and the process for overlaying UVSP images is explained. The various computer programs that calculate the line of sight component of the SMM spacecraft velocity from the spacecraft to the Sun is described. The spacecraft velocity is used to correct or interpret the signal observed in USVP dopplergrams. A method of using the spacecraft velocity to calibrate UVSP dopplergrams and magnetograms, i.e., determine the width of the observed emission line is applied. The UVSP polarization analysis procedures are described and the expressions for the statistical uncertainties in various quantities obtained from UVSP measurements are given.

Henze, W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Results from the Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter Non-flare investigations

A brief review is given of non-flare investigations using data obtained by the Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission. The major topics described are sunspot research including magnetic field measurements, oscillations, and models; mass motions in quiet and active regions including steady flows and acoustic waves; and prominence research including physical conditions, dynamics, and mass motions around prominences. Also discussed are studies of UV bursts, the formation of the Cl I line at 1351 A, ozone in the terrestrial atmosphere, and active regions using correlated observations from other instruments on the spacecraft or on the ground.

Tandberg-Hanssen, E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Vertical gradients of sunspot magnetic fields

The results of a Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) guest investigation to determine the vertical gradients of sunspot magnetic fields for the first time from coordinated observations of photospheric and transition-region fields are described. Descriptions are given of both the photospheric vector field of a sunspot, derived from observations using the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center vector magnetograph, and of the line-of-sight component in the transition region, obtained from the SMM Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter instrument. On the basis of these data, vertical gradients of the line-of-sight magnetic field component are calculated using three methods. It is found that the vertical gradient of Bz is lower than values from previous studies and that the transition-region field occurs at a height of approximately 4000-6000 km above the photosphere.

Hagyard, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Observations of the longitudinal magnetic field in the transition region and photosphere of a sunspot

The Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission spacraft has observed for the first time the longitudinal component of the magnetic field by means of the Zeeman effect in the transition region above a sunspot. The data presented here were obtained on three days in one sunspot, have spatial resolutions of 10 arcsec and 3 arcsec, and yield maximum field strengths greater than 1000 G above the umbrae in the spot. The method of analysis, including a line-width calibration feature used during some of the observations, is described in some detail in an appendix; the line width is required for the determination of the longitudinal magnetic field from the observed circular polarization. The transition region data for one day are compared with photospheric magnetograms from the Marshall Space Flight Center. Vertical gradients of the magnetic field are compared from the two sets of data; the maximum gradients of 0.41 to 0.62 G/km occur above the umbra and agree with or are smaller than values observed previously in the photosphere and low chromosphere.

Henze, W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The photospheric vector magnetic field of a sunspot and its vertical gradient

The results of direct comparisons of photospheric and transition region line-of-sight field observations of sunspots using the SMM UV spectrometer and polarimeter are reported. The analysis accompanying the data is concentrated on demonstrating that the sunspot concentrated magnetic field extends into the transition region. An observation of a sunspot on Oct. 23, 1980 at the S 18 E 03 location is used as an example. Maximum field strengths ranged from 2030-2240 gauss for large and small umbrae viewed and inclination of the field to the line-of-sight was determined for the photosphere and transition region. The distribution of the magnetic field over the sunspot and variation of the line-of-sight gradient are discussed, as are the magnitudes and gradients of the photospheric field across the penumbral-photospheric boundaries.

Hagyard, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Time-varying oscillations in the solar soft X-ray flux as observed from Skylab

Observations obtained by the Skylab/Apollo telescope S-056 X-ray experiment were used to study the time-varying oscillations in the solar soft X-ray flux during a flare. The observations consisted of count rates measured every 2.5 s by sealed, gas-filled counters operating over the 2.5-7.25-A and 6.1-20.0-A wavelength ranges. The power spectra for two other intervals were computed to determine whether the observed oscillations were flare-associated or instrumental in origin. The data indicate that the oscillations in the flare-associated X-ray flux are caused by waves which are generated during the flare and which periodically increase the electron density. No oscillations were observed during quiet periods.

Teuber, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Analysis of X-ray observations of the 15 June 1973 flare in active region NOAA 131

Observations and analyses of the 1B/M3 flare of 15 June, 1973 in active region NOAA 131 (McMath 12379) are presented. The X-ray observations, consisting of broadband photographs and proportional counter data from the Skylab/ATM NASA-MSFC/Aerospace S-056 experiment, are used to infer temperatures, emission measures, and densities for the flaring plasma. The peak temperature from the spatially resolved photographs is 25,000,000 K, while the temperature from the full-disk proportional counter data is approximately 15,000,000 K. The density is 3 times 10 to the 10th/cu cm. The X-ray flare emission appears to come primarily from two low-lying curvilinear features lying perpendicular to and centered on the line where the photospheric longitudinal magnetic field is zero. Similarities in the preflare and postflare X-ray emission patterns indicate that no large-scale relaxation of the coronal magnetic configuration was observed. Also discussed are H-alpha and magnetic field observations of the flare and the active region. Finally, results of numerical calculations, including thermal conduction, radiative loss, and chromospheric evaporation, are in qualitative agreement with the decay phase observations.

Krall, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Research in Solar Physics: Analysis of Skylab/ATM S-056 X-Ray Data

Data obtained by the X-ray event analyzer are described as well as methods used for film calibration. Topics discussed include analyses of the 15 June 1973 flare, oscillations in the solar soft X-ray flux, and deconvolution of X-ray images of the 5 September 1973 flare.

Henze, W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Morphology and physical parameters of a solar flare

The chromospheric and coronal morphology of the flare of June 15, 1973, (1B/M3) in NOAA active region 131 (McMath 12379) is discussed, and results of quantitative analysis of Skylab soft X-ray observations of the event are presented. H-alpha and white-light observations reveal evidence of emerging flux near the site of the H-alpha flare onset. Preflare and early flare filament activity and its spatial and temporal correlation with the flare are discussed. Spatially resolved soft X-rays are compared with H-alpha and magnetic-field measurements. Full-disk high-temporal-resolution soft X-ray flux measurements and time profiles of the resultant temperature and density calculations are also presented which yield a peak temperature of about 14.2 million K and a peak electron density of approximately 3.5 deg 10 to the -10th power per cu cm and show a preflash-phase temperature rise to about 9 million K. The peak values should be compared with the respective values of approximately 25 million K and 4.5 by 10 to the -10th power per cu cm deduced from the spatially resolved data.

Smith, J. B., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Film calibration for the Skylab/ATM S-056 X-ray telescope

The sensitometry and film calibration effort for the Skylab/ATM S-056 X-ray telescope is summarized. The apparatus and procedures used are described together with the two types of flight film used, Kodak SO-212 and SO-242. The sensitometry and processing of the flight film are discussed, and the results are presented in the form of the characteristic curves and related data. The use of copy films is also discussed.

Henze, W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Solar rotation in the chromosphere and corona

Extreme ultraviolet spectroheliograms in Mg X (625 A) and the Lyman continuum (897 A) obtained from OSO-6 are used to determine the differential rotation rate in the solar chromosphere and corona. The equatorial rotation rate agrees with spectroscopic measurements of the photospheric plasma velocity; the variation of rate with latitude is less pronounced than in most other determinations. We cannot discern a variation in the rotation rate between the chromosphere and corona.

Henze, W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Solar rotation as determined from OSO-4 EUV spectroheliograms.

Spectroheliograms obtained in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lines and the Lyman continuum are used to determine the rotation rate of the solar chromosphere, transition region, and corona. A cross-correlation analysis of the observations indicates the presence of differential rotation through the chromosphere and transition region. The rotation rate does not vary with height. The average sidereal rotation rate is given by omega (deg/day) = 13.46-2.99 sin squared B where B is the solar latitude. This rate agrees with spectroscopic determinations of the photospheric rotation rate, but is slower by about 1 deg/day than rates determined from the apparent motion of photospheric magnetic fields and from the brightest points of active regions observed in the EUV. The corona does not clearly show differential rotation as do the chromosphere and transition region.

Dupree, A. K.↗