Engineering topics

Scherrer, Philip H.

Publications and source records attributed to Scherrer, Philip H..

6 records

NASA NTRS1989

Solar activity, the QBO, and tropospheric responses

The suggestion that galactic cosmic rays (GCR) as modulated by the solar wind are the carriers of the component of solar variability that affects weather and climate has been discussed in the literature for 30 years, and there is now a considerable body of evidence that supports it. Variations of GCR occur with the 11 year solar cycle, matching the time scale of recent results for atmospheric variations, as modulated by the quasibiennial oscillation of equatorial stratospheric winds (the QBO). Variations in GCR occur on the time scale of centuries with a well defined peak in the coldest decade of the little ice age. New evidence is presented on the meteorological responses to GCR variations on the time scale of a few days. These responses include changes in the vertical temperature profile in the troposphere and lower stratosphere in the two days following solar flare related high speed plasma streams and associated GCR decreases, and in decreases in Vorticity Area Index (VAI) following Forbush decreases of GCR. The occurrence of correlations of GCR and meteorological responses on all three time scales strengthens the hypothesis of GCR as carriers of solar variability to the lower atmosphere. Both short and long term tropospheric responses are understandable as changes in the intensity of cyclonic storms initiated by mechanisms involving cloud microphysical and cloud electrification processes, due to changes in local ion production from changes in GCR fluxes and other high energy particles in the MeV to low GeV range. The nature of these mechanisms remains undetermined. Possible stratospheric wind (particularly QBO) effects on the transport of HNO3 and other constituents incorporated in cluster ions and possible condensation and freezing nuclei are considered as relevant to the long term variations.

Tinsley, Brian A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Solar g-mode oscillations: Comparison of SMM-ACRIM and ground-based observations

Progress was made in access to data and in developing programs for its analysis. The difficulties in completing the work in the planned time can be traced to several factors. The correction of the Stanford oscillation using gridded intensity data was not successful. It was concluded that due to poor continuity of the 1985 and 1986 data due to clouds, that a joint analysis with the ACRIM data (best solar oscillation data to date) on the summer 1987 observations should be performed. The 1988 Stanford oscillation data are being examined and the cross comparison of the ACRIM spectrum with the Standford spectrum for 1987 in the g-mode regime will shortly begin.

Scherrer, Philip H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The search for solar gravity modes

A solar oscillations observing program of more than 13 yr is reviewed. The observations are most sensitive to low degree solar modes and were used for the study of long period p-mode and g-mode oscillations. At the start of the 1987 observing season (summer) long-standing problems with the instrument were corrected which (along with good weather) allowed the cleanest set of data to date. The search for evidence of g-modes in this data is described. Analysis of this data shows good evidence for g-modes. Various methods were used for mode identification with a statistical search for a simple pattern of even spacing in period selected as the most robust. Using this method, a possible g-mode identification was made with an asymptotic period separation T0 = 37.1 min. This identification is consistent with a rotation splitting of 1.6 MicroHz. Tests with randomly generated spectral peaks find as significant a possible set of modes in only 2 out of 100 cases.

Henning, Harald M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Observations of low-degree p-mode oscillations in 1984

Analysis of Stanford differential velocity observations has been extended through the 1984 observing season. Excellent quality observations were obtained in 1984 on 38 days in a 49 day interval from June 20th through August 7th. The power spectrum of this data has been examined and improved frequency determinations have been made for p-modes of degree 2 through 5 and order 5 through 34. Of special interest are the modes of the lower orders, n ranging from 5 to 10, which have not been identified previously.

Henning, Harald M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The detection of global convective wave flows on the sun

Global convective flows in the solar convection zone have been predicted by theoretical interpretations of the global-scale ordering of magnetic fields and activity centers and by theoretical analyses of rotating convection zones. Direct evidence of these flows in the photosphere has not previously been found despite several long-term efforts. The signatures of such flows have now been detected by analyzing the daily series of low-resolution Dopplergrams obtained at the Wilcox Solar Observatory at Stanford University. The signatures are patterns of alternating east and west flows with amplitudes on the order of 25 m/s and longitudinal extent of about 30 degrees. The patterns move across the disc at approximately the solar rotation rate and have lifetimes of at least several rotations. Boundaries of the fast and slow flows are often associated with large magnetic active regions.

Scherrer, Philip H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Comments on techniques for spectral deconvolution

Current observational questions in asteroseismology require high spectral resolution that can only be obtained with observations spanning many days or months. The primary constraint in the full utilization of single mid-latitude observing sites is the presence of diurnal data gaps. Several methods for removing the effect of these gaps in the spectral obtained from velocity observations have been suggested. In the case of data coverage of less than 50 percent, none of the methods considered has been successful at unambiguously recovering the true spectrum from test spectra with realistic complexity. The limitations of these methods and their applicability to the helioseismology problem is discussed.

Scherrer, Philip H.↗