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Keenan, F. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Keenan, F. P..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Observations and Simulations of the Na I D-1 Line profiles in an M-Class Solar Flare

We study the temporal evolution of the Na I D1 line profiles in the M3.9 flare SOL2014-06-11T21:03UT, using observations at high spectral resolution obtained with the Interferometric Bidimensional Spectrometer instrumentation the Dunn Solar Telescope combined with radiative hydrodynamic simulations. Our results show a significant increase in the intensities of the line core and wings during the flare. The analysis of the line profiles from the flare ribbons reveals that the Na I D1 line has a central reversal with excess emission in the blue wing (blue asymmetry).We combine RADYN and RH simulations to synthesize Na I D1 line profiles of the flaring atmosphere and find good agreement with the observations. Heating with a beam of electrons modifies the radiation field in the flaring atmosphere and excites electrons from the ground state 3s 2S to the first excited state 3p 2P, which in turn modifies the relative population of the two states. The change in temperature and the population density of the energy states make the sodium line profile revert from absorption into emission. Furthermore, the rapid changes in temperature break the pressure balance between the different layers of the lower atmosphere, generating upflow/downflow patterns. Analysis of the simulated spectra reveals that the asymmetries of the Na I D1 flare profile are produced by the velocity gradients in the lower solar atmosphere.

methods: numerical↗
NASA NTRS2003

Search for 1-10 Hz Modulations in Coronal Emission with SECIS During the August 11, 1999 Eclipse

Results of the search of the periodic changes of the 530.3 nm line intensity emitted by selected structures of the solar corona in the frequency range 1-10 Hz are presented. A set of 12728 images of the section of the solar corona extending from near the north pole to the south-west were taken simultaneously in the 530.3 nm ('green') line and white-light with the Solar Eclipse Coronal Imaging System (SECIS) during the 143-seconds-long totality of the 1999 August 11 solar eclipse observed in Shabla, Bulgaria. The time resolution of the collected data is better than 0.05-s and the pixel size is approximately 4 arcsecs. Using classical Fourier spectral analysis tools, we investigated temporal changes of the local 530.3 nm coronal line brightness in the frequency range 1-10 Hz of thousands of points within the field of view. The various photometric and instrumental effects have been extensively considered. We did not find any indisputable, statistically significant evidence of periodicities in any of the investigated points (at significance level alpha = 0.05 or better).

Rudawy, P.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Emission Lines of O III in The Optical and Ultraviolet Spectra of Planetary Nebulae

Recent R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in 0 III are used to calculate electron temperature and density-dependent emission line ratios R (sub 1) = I(4363 Angstroms)/ I(4960 Angstroms + 5007 Angstroms), R (sub 2) = I(1661 Angstroms + 1667 Angstroms)/ I(4960 Angstroms + 5007 Angstroms) and R (sub 3)= I(2322 Angstroms)/ I(1661 Angstroms + 1667 Angstroms), for a range of electron temperatures (7500 less than or equal to Te less than or equal to 30 000 K) and densities (10 (exp 4) less than or equal to N (sub e) less than or equal to 10 (exp 7) per cubic centimeters) applicable to gaseous nebulae. The ratio-ratio diagrams (R (sub 1), R (sub 2)) and (R (sub 1), R (sub 3)) should, in principle, allow the simultaneous determination of T (sub e) and N (sub e) from measurements of the 0 III features in a spectrum. Plasma parameters derived for a sample of high-excitation planetary nebulae from (R (sub 1), R (sub 2)) and (R (sub 1), R (sub 3)) measurements, produced using a combination of ultraviolet spectra obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) and optical data from a number of observing runs, are found to show excellent internal consistency. They also show, in general, good agreement with the values of Te and Ne estimated from other line ratios in the nebulae, therefore providing observational support for the accuracy of the theoretical ratios and hence the atomic data adopted in their derivation.

Crawford, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

An Improved Optical Spectral Line List for RR Telescopii

The symbiotic nova RR Telescopli has been observed with the 3.9m telescope of the Anglo-Australian Observatory (AAO), using the University College London Echelle Spectrograph in conjunction with a Tek CCD. It displays a rich emission line spectrum, ranging in excitation from N I to [Ni VIII]. We present a list of 824 measured lines, with their suggested identifications and absolute line intensities, covering a wavelength range from 3180 A to 9455 A. The absolute line intensities have been derived by comparing the high resolution data with a flux-calibrated low resolution spectrum taken with the Australian National University 2.3 m telescope. All of the lines have been successfully identified. Comparing our results with those of previous studies indicates that the RR Tel system is advancing towards higher degrees of ionization.

Crawford, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The O IV and S IV intercombination lines in solar and stellar ultraviolet spectra

New calculations of O IV electron density diagnostic emission-line ratios involving the 1399.8, 1401.2, 1404.8, and 14076.4 A transitions are presented. A comparison of these calculations with observational data from a quiet solar region, a sunspot, and an active region obtained with the High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS), two flares observed with the SO82B spectrograph on board Skylab, and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations by the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) of Capella, gives good results using the ratio R(sub 1) = I(1407.4 A)/I(1401.2 A). However, the electron density obtained using the ratio R(sub 2) = I(1407.4 A)/I(1404.8 A) is often an order of magnitude smaller. The O IV 1404.8 A line is blended with the S IV 1404.8 A line, and we investigate whether this ratio may still be used as a density diagnostic if the S IV 1406.1 A line intensity is used to correct for the presence of S IV 1404.8 A, using previous S IV calculations by Dufton et al. We still find systematic differences compared to density determinations from line ratios that do not involve the O IV 1404.8 A line, which we suggest are due to errors in earlier theoretical calculations of the S IV atomic data, and also possibly to previously unconsidered fluorescent pumping of the upper level of the S IV 1404.8 A transition.

Cook, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

N IV emission lines in the ultraviolet spectra of gaseous nebulae

Theoretical electron density sensitive emission-line ratios, determined using electron impact excitation rates calculated with the R-matrix code, are presented for R = I(2s(sup 2) (1)S-2s2p 3P(sub 2))/I(2s(sup 2) (1)S-2s2p 3P(sub 1) = 1(1483 A)/I(1486 A) in N IV. These are found to be up to an order of magnitude different from those deduced by previous authors, principally due to the inclusion of excitation rates for transitions among the 2s2p (3)p fine-structure levels. The observed values of R for several planetary nebulae, symbiotic stars and the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant, measured from spectra obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite and the Hopkins Ultraviolet Explorer (HUT), lead to electron densities which are in excellent agreement with those deduced from line ratios in other species. This provides observational support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the present calculations.

Keenan, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Relative emission-line strengths for the 146 and 63 micron transitions in O I and a comparison with far-infrared observations of photodissociation regions

Theoretical O I density-sensitive emission-line ratios R = I(2s(sup 2))(2p(sup 4))((sup 3)P(sub 0))-((2s(sup 2))(2p(sup 4))((sup 3)P(sub 1)))/I((2s(sup 2))(2p(sup 4))((sup 3)P(sub 1))-(2s(sup 2))(2p(sup 4))((sup 3)P(sub 2))) = I(146 micrometers)/I(63 micrometers) are presented for a range of temperatures (T = 100-10,000 K), neutral hydrogen densities (N(sub H) = 10(exp -2) to 10(exp 7)/cu cm) and radiation fields (G(sub 0) = 1-10(exp 6)) applicable to both photodissociation regions (PDRs) and H II regions and the diffuse ionized medium (DIM). The observed values of R for several PDRs, measured from far-infrared spectra obtained with the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), imply hydrogen densities which are in good agreement with those determined using other methods. This provides observational support for the validity of the theoretical O I line ratios, and hence the atomic data used in their derivation.

Keenan, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The determination of electron densities in the solar atmosphere from the 1718.56 A/1486.51 A emission-line ratio in N IV

The theoretical electron density sensitive emission-line ratio R = I(1718.56 a)/I(1486.51 A) in N IV is presented for a range of N(sub e)(approximately equals 10(exp 10) - 10(exp 12)/cu cm) applicable to higher density solar plasmas, such as active regions. A comparison of these calculations with the observed values of R of several solar features obtained with the Naval Research Laboratory's S082B spectrograph on board Skylab reveals general agreement between theory and observation at pointings just above the limb, where line blends with N IV 1718.56 A should be insignificant, which provides experimental support for the accuracy of the line ratio calculations.

Keenan, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Coronal electron density diagnostic from Fe XII

We present observations of the forbidden coronal lines Fe XII 1242 A and 1349 A from active regions and from two flares, obtained by the SO82B slit spectrograph onboard Skylab. The line intensity ratio R = I(1242 A)/I(1349 A) is sensitive to electron density. We have calculated this ratio using recent atomic data, and obtained coronal electron densities at T = 1.5 x 10(exp 6) K for our observations. We find a range in N(sub e) of (0.5 to 7.2) x 10(exp 9)/cm(exp -3) for active regions, which is in good agreement with previous results from other diagnostic ratios in this temperature range, and of approximately (0.9 to 12) x 10(exp 9)/cm(exp -3) (or higher) for flares, which is generally low compared to previous flare results. The flare values employ particularly weak 1349 A observations and may not be reliable. From an observation of an active region just inside the solar limb, giving the best coverage in our data of both line profiles, we find a line width (FWHM) for both lines of 0.20 A, which corresponds to a nonthermal velocity of 18 km/sec.

Cook, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The Fe XIV spectrum: Predicted line intensities and solar identifications

Level populations and line intensities have been calculated in a 40-level model of Fe XIV which includes the configuations 3p(exp 3) and 3s3p3d. The results have been compared against intensities of weaker, unidentified, or tentatively classified lines in published solar line lists including a recent Goddard Space Flight Center/Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Telescope and Spectrograph (GSFC/SERTS) high-resolution list, and in presently measured archival Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)/S082A active region spectra. Seven new lines are identified as Fe XIV transitions; five other observed, unidentified lines are considered to be Fe XIV transitions on the basis of wavelength coincidence, but require further observations to obtain photometric intensities for verification; one line at 216.93 A is shown to be due to some other ion than Fe XIV. In addition, a unique forbidden infrared (approx. equal to 1.25 micrometer(s)) line originating in the high metastable level 3s3p3d(F(sub 9/2)-4) is found to have an unusual intensity dependence on electron density.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The allowed lines of O IV near 1340 A in high electron density solar flares

Intersystem lines of O IV near 1400 A have long been used as electron density diagnostics for solar plasmas at temperatures of around 160,000 K. In addition, however, several allowed lines of O IV near 1340 A should become visible in conditions of high plasma electron number density (greater than 10(exp 12)/cu cm), such as during a solar flare. We present observations of the 1340 A and 1400 A regions of the solar spectrum for two solar flares, obtained by the SO82B spectrograph on board Skylab. We examine three candidate lines for allowed O IV in the flare spectra which occur at the correct wavelengths, but show that two of these are actually blends dominated by resonantly excited molecular lines of H2. The third candidate line, at 1343.51 A, we identify as the O IV allowd line. We present the density and temperature sensitivity of the ratio of allowed and intersystem O IV lines R = I(1343.51 A)/I(1407.39 A). The 1343.51 A line is clearly present in the first solar flare spectrum, and the ratio value implies an electron density of log N(sub e) = 12.6. The second flare has a much weaker 1343.51 A profile, but again the ratio value implies a high electron density. Both these electron density values are in good agreement with estimates for each flare from independent diagnostic ratios. The simple presence alone of a clearly observed O IV 1343.51 A emission line implies an electron density greater than 10(exp 12)/cu cm.

Cook, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Mg IX emission lines in an active region spectrum obtained with the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)

Theoretical electron-temperature-sensitive Mg IX emission line ratios are presented for R(sub 1) = I(443.96 A)/I(368.06 A), R(sub 2) = I(439.17 A)/I(368.06 A), R(sub 3) = I(443.37 A)/I(368.06 A), R(sub 4) = I(441.22 A)/I(368.06 A), and R(sub 5) = I(448.28 A)/I(368.06 A). A comparison of these with observational data for a solar active region, obtained during a rocket flight by the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS), reveals excellent agreement between theory and observation for R(sub 1) through R(sub 4), with discrepancies that average only 9%. This provides experimental support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the line ratio calculations, and also resolves discrepancies found previously when the theoretical results were compared with solar data from the S082A instrument on board Skylab. However in the case of R(sub 5), the theoretical and observed ratios differ by almost a factor of 2. This may be due to the measured intensity of the 448.28 A line being seriously affected by instrumental effects, as it lies very close to the long wavelength edge of the SERTS spectral coverage (235.46-448.76 A).

Keenan, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A comparison of theoretical CIV emission line strengths with active region observations obtained with the solar EUV rocket telescope and spectrograph (SERTS)

Theoretical line ratios involving 2s 2S - 3p 2P, 2p 2p - 3s 2S, and 2p 2S - 3d 2D transitions in C IV between 312 and 420 A are presented. A comparison of these with solar active region observational data obtained during a rocket flight by the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) reveals good agreement between theory and experiment, with discrepancies that average only 22 percent. This provides experimental support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the line ratio calculations, and also resolves discrepancies found previously when the theoretical results were compared with solar data from the S082A instrument on board Skylab. The potential usefulness of the C IV line ratios as electron temperature diagnostics for the solar transition region is briefly discussed.

Keenan, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Electron density diagnostics for gaseous nebulae involving the O 4 intercombination lines near 1400 A

Theoretical O IV electron density sensitive emission line ratios, determined using electron impact excitation rates calculated with the R-matrix code, are presented for R(sub 1) = I(1407.4 A)/I(1401.2 A), R(sub 2) = I(1404.8 A)/I(1401.2A), R(sub 3) = I(1399.8 A)/(1401.2 A), and R(sub 4) = I(1397.2 A)/I(1401.2 A). The observed values of R(sub 1)-R(sub 4), measured from high resolution spectra obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite, lead to electron densities that are compatible, and which are also in good agreement with those deduced from line ratios in other species. This provides observational support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the present calculations.

Keenan, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Improved calculations for the C III 1907,1909 and Si III 1883,1892 electron density sensitive emission-line ratios, and a comparison with IUE observations

Atomic data are used in conjunction with the statistical equilibrium code of Dufton (1977) to calculate relative C III and Si III level populations, and hence emission-line strengths for a range of electron temperatures and densities. It is assumed that photoexcitation and deexcitaton rates are negligible in comparison with the corresponding collisional rates, that ionization to and recombination from other ionic levels are slow compared with bound-bound rates, and that all transitions are optically thin. The observed values of R1 and R2 for several planetary nebulae and a symbiotic star, measured from high-resolution spectra obtained with the IUE satellite, lead to electron densities that are compatible, and are also in good agreement with those deduced from line ratios in other species.

Keenan, F. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Solar Si II line ratios from the high-resolution telescope and spectrograph

Theoretical emission-line ratios involving multiplets near 1262, 1306, and 1530 A are derived on the basis of new calculations of electron-impact excitation rates for allowed transition in Si II. A comparison of these line ratios with observational data from a quiet solar region, a sunspot, and an active region, obtained with the HIRTS on board a sounding rocket flight reveals that the 1530-A multiplet is optically thick, which is consistent with a calculation of the optical depth of these lines through a model atmosphere. The 1262- and 1306-A multiplets appear to be effectively optically thin. The average discrepancy between the theoretical and observed ratios is about 40 percent, which may not be significant, since the estimated uncertainties in both the calculated and experimental data are approximately 30 percent.

Keenan, F. P.↗