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Ramsey, H. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Ramsey, H. E..

On the size, structure, and strength of the small-scale solar magnetic field

High-resolution magnetograms place an upper limit of 0.33 arcsec on the smallest magnetic-field structures. These magnetograms show that the active-region field is organized into roughly cellular patterns 2-3 arcsec in diameter and that the field structures occur in the centers of 'abnormal' granules. Comparison of these data and other magnetograms with high signal-to-noise ratio indicates that there exists another component of the field that is diffuse on the scale of an arc second and has a maximum strength of less than 500 gauss.

Ramsey, H. E.↗

The dark component of the photospheric network

We examine a high quality Zeeman-analyzed lambda-scan through Ca I 6103, using a 0.1 A filter. We find that filter shifts of 0.01 A produce substantial changes in the contrast seen in the photospheric network in the core of the line, implying that the Doppler velocity in the network is constant to within 0.25 km/sec or less. Relative line profiles constructed from the lambda-scan indicate that the bright network points have smaller equivalent widths than does the background photosphere and are systematically Doppler shifted toward the red. However, we also find numerous small dark points within the magnetic network which exhibit increased equivalent widths. We infer these to be due to magnetic flux tubes which are highly inclined through the photosphere.

Schoolman, S. A.↗

Development of birefringent filters for spaceflight

The critical problem for flight of a birefringent filter is the shock mounting of the calcite. The design presented here bonds the calcite block with silicon rubbers to the calcite holder. The calcite together with its all necessary polarizers and rotating achromatic plates are mounted together in units called a filter module. By using a set of modules containing calcite crystals of differing lengths, a filter can be produced. A description of the modules is given. Also described is a container for the filter modules, which can be used both to hermetically seal the system or contain an index matching oil. The response of a filter element while being controlled by the Lockheed Temperature Control is described and the determination of the wavelength sensitivity to temperature of calcite is explained. Operation of the filter using a software control algorithm instead of a hardware temperature controller is shown. Some radiation considerations of filter systems are given.

Title, A. M.↗

Multi-slit spectrograph and H alpha Doppler system

Description of the design and operation of a multiple-entrance-slit spectrograph, built for time-lapse photography of the spectra of flares and other transient solar phenomena. This spectrograph employs narrow-band filters to limit the wavelength range of the spectrograph to a few angstroms centered at H-alpha or other spectral lines. A polarizing beamsplitter, prior to the slits, provides a prefiltered second solar image to a narrow band H-alpha Doppler filter for simultaneous photography in the wings of the H-alpha line. The spectrograph and the H-alpha Doppler system constitute a flexible instrument in which components may be substituted to achieve different passband widths, image scales, dispersions, and corresponding numbers and spacings of adjacent spectra at a selected wavelength.

Martin, S. F.↗

Early recognition of major solar flares in H-alpha.

Study of 297 major flares for changes occurring within a 2-hr interval prior to the start of flares, by means of photography through a 0.5A passband birefringent filter centered at H-alpha. The results indicate a definite statistical pattern in these changes. The pattern begins with the gradual ascension of a filament within 1 hr prior to flare start, followed by the rapid outward ejection of the filament near the beginning of the flare and the infall of some of the ejected mass during the flare. A discussion of flares observed through a broader-band filter is included for comparison.

Martin, S. F.↗

Spatial and spectral studies of solar phenomena

Work proceeded simultaneously in four different areas of solar research. These were: (1) assembly and testing of the components of a multiple-slit H alpha spectrograph, (2) simultaneous observations of the wings of the H alpha line with a newly modified filter, (3) analysis of H alpha high resolution observations in conjunction with magnetic field observations obtained at Kitt Peak, and (4) theoretical analysis of the D3 line HeI.

Harvey, K. L.↗