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Ulrich, R. K.

Publications and source records attributed to Ulrich, R. K..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Modeling of integrated sunlight velocity measurements: The effect of surface darkening by magnetic fields

It has been known since the work by Claverie et al. (1982) that integrated-sunlight velocities measured with the resonance scattering technique show variations with time scales of weeks to months. The cause can be understood in terms of the effects of solar activity as was pointed out by Edmunds & Gough (1983) and Andersen & Maltby (1983). The latter authors included a model calculation based on sunspot areas which showed good promise of being able to quantitatively reproduce the observed velocity shifts. We discuss in this paper a new modeling effort based on daily magnetograms obtained at the 150-ft tower on Mt. Wilson. This type of database is more quantitative than sunspot area. Similar maps of magnetically sensitive quantities will be measured on a continuous time base as part of several planned helioseismology experiments (from space with the Solar Oscillations Imagery/Michelson Doppler Imager (SOI/MDI) experiment on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), see Scherrer et al. (1991) or with ground-based networks, see Hill & Leibacher (1991)). We discuss the correlations between various magnetically sensitive quantities and develop a new model for the effects of magnetic field on line profiles and surface brightness. From these correlations we integrate the line profile changes over the solar surface using observed magnetic field strengths measured at lambda 5250.2. The final output is a new model for the effects of magnetic fields on integrated sunlight velocities which we compare with daily offset velocities derived from the International Research on the Interior of the Sun (IRIS)-T instrument at the Observatorio del Teide.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Can binary stars test solar models?

The position in the H-R diagram of the approximately solar-mass component of the Hyades eclipsing binary, HD 27130, is compared with the predictions of stellar structure theory. The stellar models are calibrated by matching a model with the solar heavy element composition and age to the solar radius and luminosity. The comparison to the Hyades binary then is a test of the prediction that the initial solar luminosity was only about 0.7 times the present solar luminosity. The agreement is satisfactory, lending a measure of confidence to the solar model employed, provided that the initial helium abundance of the Hyades stars is not greater than that of the sun and is not less by more than about 0.03 in Y. Unless the model is grossly incorrect, the inference of Stromgren, Olsen, and Gustafsson (1982) from the 'Hyades anomaly' in intermediate-band photometry that Y(Hyades) is less than Y(solar) by 0.1 or 0.15 is rejected by the observed properties of HD 27130.

Popper, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Determination of stellar ages from asteroseismology

This Letter shows that measurements of the stellar analog of the solar five minute oscillations can permit the determination of the radius and age of isolated stars. The key frequencies of oscillation correspond to pairs of modes differing by two in the degree of the spherical harmonic describing the angular dependence of the motion and by one in the overtone order of the modes. The frequency pairs are very nearly degenerate, and adequate frequency resolution will require a nearly unbroken time sequence extending over 15 days.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The Effects of Seeing on Noise

The effect of the supergranulation velocity field combined with seeing smearing of the solar image on the measurement of solar oscillations is discussed. Depending on the nature of the observational velocity determination scheme, the image motions can shift the background velocity pattern and produce a source of noise that reduces the quality of the observations. The magnitude of this effect is estimated and observational results which are consistent with this estimate are presented.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The 1984 solar oscillation program of the Mount Wilson 60-foot tower

The instrumentation, data, and preliminary results from the summer, 1984, solar oscillation observing program which was carried out using the 60-foot tower telescope of the Mt. Wilson Observatory are described. This program was carried out with a dedicated solar oscillation observing system and obtained full-disk Dopplergrams every 40 seconds for up to 11 hours per day. Between June and September, 1984, observations were obtained with a Na magneto-optical filter on 90 different days. The data analysis has progressed to the point that spherical harmonic filter functions were employed to generate a few one-dimensional power spectra from a single day's observations.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Solar Seismology from Space. a Conference at Snowmass, Colorado

The quality of the ground based observing environment suffers from several degrading factors: diurnal interruptions and thermal variations, atmospheric seeing and transparency fluctuations and adverse weather interruptions are among the chief difficulties. The limited fraction of the solar surface observable from only one vantage point is also a potential limitation to the quality of the data available without going to space. Primary conference goals were to discuss in depth the scientific return from current observations and analyses of solar oscillations, to discuss the instrumental and site requirements for realizing the full potential of the seismic analysis method, and to help bring new workers into the field by collecting and summarizing the key background theory. At the conclusion of the conference there was a clear consensus that ground based observation would not be able to provide data of the quality required to permit a substantial analysis of the solar convection zone dynamics or to permit a full deduction of the solar interior structure.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Evaluation of a Magneto-optical Filter and a Fabry-perot Interferometer for the Measurement of Solar Velocity Fields from Space

A program was developed to evaluate the performance of three different devices as possible space-borne solar velocity field imagers. Two of these three devices, a magneto-optical filter and a molecular adherence Fabry-Perot interferometer were installed in a newly-constructed observing system located at the 60-foot tower telescope at the Mt. Wilson Observatory. Time series of solar filtergrams and Dopplergrams lasting up to 10 hours per day were obtained with the filter while shorter runs were obtained with the Fabry-Perot. Two-dimensional k (sub h)-omega power spectra which show clearly the well-known p-mode ridges were computed from the time series obtained with the magneto-optical filter. These power spectra were compared with similar power spectra obtained recently with the 13.7-m McMath spectrograph at Kitt Peak.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The Sensitivity of Solar Eigenfrequencies to the Treatment of the Equation of State

The principal uncertainties in the equation of state involve the treatment of pressure ionization, the Debye-Huckel coulomb corrections, and the treatment of many-particle interaction effects. It is found that, for the lowest degree modes (l between 0 and 3), the terms and procedures used in the equation of state which deal with these uncertainties introduce changes in the frequencies which are less than 4 micro Hz. Recently, Shibahashi, Noels and Gabriel (1983) published solar eigenfrequencies using a theory with an equation of state improved with respect to the theory used earlier by Shibahashi and Osaki (1981). Their comparison between the two sets of results suggested that uncertainties in the frequencies as large as 10 micro Hz could be caused by the equation of state. It is felt that since the entire effect of the uncertain terms is only 4 micro Hz and since the uncertainties are only a fraction of each term, the 10 micro Hz changes found by Shibahashi et al must be a consequence of differences between the earlier and later calculations in areas other than the equation of state.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A compact Dopplergraph/magnetograph suitable for space-based measurements of solar oscillations and magnetic fields

A compact Dopplergraph/magnetograph placed in a continuous solar-viewing orbit will allow us to make major advancements in our understanding of solar internal structure and dynamics. An international program is currently being conducted at JPL and Mt. Wilson to develop such an instrument. By combining a unique magneto-optical resonance filter with CID and CCD cameras we have been able to obtain full- and partial-disk Dopplergrams and magnetograms. Time series of the velocity images are converted into k-omega power spectra which show clear- the solar nonradial p-mode oscilations. Magnetograms suitable for studying the long-term evolution of solar active regions have also been obtained with this instrument. A flight instrument based on this concept is being studied for possible inclusion in the SOHO mission.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The analysis of solar models: Neutrinos and oscillations

Tests of solar neutrino flux and solar oscillation frequencies were used to assess standard stellar structure theory. Standard and non-standard solar models are enumerated and discussed. The field of solar seismology, wherein the solar interior is studied from the measurement of solar oscillations, is introduced.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Testing solar models with global solar oscillations in the 5-minute band

Frequencies of solar oscillation for normal modes described by spherical harmonics with l-values between 0 and 4 are computed. The method of computation is discussed and some of the theoretical uncertainties are examined. It is shown that the standard solar model has eigenfrequencies which do not agree with the frequencies observed for the low l-modes to within the estimated accuracy of either the observed or theoretical frequencies. Four non-standard models are considered: (1) the interior Z abundance is lower than the surface abundance; (2) the interior Z abundance is higher than the surface abundance; (3) the interior Z abundance is altered by mixing; and (4) a large primordial magnetic field remains in the solar core. The effect of all these models on the solar neutrino flux is considered, with the result that the high-Z model is rejected. The conclusions of Bahcall and Ulrich (1971) that a primordial magnetic field increases the neutrino flux are disputed.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A new system for observing solar oscillations at the Mount Wilson Observatory. I - System design and installation

An observation system designed to obtain daily measurements of solar photospheric and subphotospheric rotational velocities, from the frequency splitting of nonradial solar p-mode oscillations of degree greater than 150, is nearing completion of the Mount Wilson Observatory. The system will combine a 244 x 248 pixel CID camera with a high speed floating point array processor, a 32-bit minicomputer, and a large capacity disk storage system. These components will be integrated into the spectrograph of the 60-foot solar tower telescope at Mount Wilson.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The acceleration and propagation of solar flare energetic particles

Observations and theories of particle acceleration in solar flares are reviewed. The most direct signatures of particle acceleration in flares are gamma rays, X-rays and radio emissions produced by the energetic particles in the solar atmosphere and energetic particles detected in interplanetary space and in the Earth's atmosphere. The implication of these observations are discussed. Stochastic and shock acceleration as well as acceleration in direct electric fields are considered. Interplanetary particle propagation is discussed and an overview of the highlights of both current and promising future research is presented.

Forman, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The five-minute oscillations: What's left to be done

Current observational methods for studying these oscillations at large horizontal wavenumbers are discussed in detail and several two dimensional power spectra obtained with a CID camera on the main spectrograph of the McMath telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory are described. The best-resolved observations of the p-mode obtained at chromospheric elevations are also presented. Recent progress in studies of the p-modes at low wavenumbers with full-disk velocity detection schemes is summarized. These full-disk observations of radial and low-degree non-radial modes were shown to place severe constraints on the theoretical calculation of solar interior structure. Progress in making fully-consistent solar models which fit both the high- and low-wave number observations is described. Finally, the observational and theoretical improvements that are necessary for further progress in solar seismology are summarized.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The solar gravitational figure: J2 and J4

The theory of the solar gravitational figure is derived including the effects of differential rotation. It is shown that J sub 4 is smaller than J sub 2 by a factor of about 10 rather than being of order J sub 2 squared as would be expected for rigid rotation. The dependence of both J sub 2 and J sub 4 on envelope mass is given. High order p-mode oscillation frequencies provide a constraint on solar structure which limits the range in envelope mass to the range 0.01 M sub E/solar mass 0.04. For an assumed rotation law in which the surface pattern of differential rotation extends uniformly throughout the convective envelope, this structural constraint limits the ranges of J sub 2 and J sub 4 in units of 10 to the -8th power to 10 J sub 2 15 and 0.6 -J sub 4 1.5. Deviations from these ranges would imply that the rotation law is not constant with depth and would provide a measure of this rotation law.

Ulrich, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The bizarre spectrum of SS 433

Results are reported for extensive spectrophotometric observations, over the wavelength range from 3800 to 7800 A, of the peculiar 14th-mag emission-line object Stephenson-Sanduleak (SS) 433, which has been identified with a variable nonthermal radio source and is positionally coincident with the X-ray source A1909+04. It is found that the spectrum is dominated by intense variable Balmer and He I emission, that three of the He I lines have very prominent P Cygni profiles, and that virtually all the emission features undergo changes in equivalent width on a time scale of days. Anomalous emission features are described which consist of three previously unreported, very strong, broad emission lines at unfamiliar wavelengths in the green, red, and IR, and which vary nightly in intensity, profile, and wavelength. SS 433 is inferred to be a luminous object with an absolute visual magnitude of -3.1 or brighter.

Margon, B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Solar p-mode oscillations as a tracer of radial differential rotation

Photoelectric observations of solar p-modes obtained with improved wavenumber and frequency resolution are presented. The observations are compared with model calculations of the p-modes, and the degree of spatial and temporal coherence of the observed wave pattern is investigated. It is found that the p-mode oscillations pervade the visible surface of the sun with a high degree of coherence in space and time, so that the whole complex pattern of standing waves with its nodes and antinodes can be regarded as a fixed pattern corotating with the solar surface layers. The p-modes are introduced as a tracer of solar rotational flow velocities. The equatorial differential rotation is estimated as a function of effective depth on the basis of the theoretical contribution functions for the p-modes recently derived by Ulrich et al. (1978). The results strongly indicate that the angular speed of rotation is not uniform even in the relatively shallow layer extending about 20,000 km below the photosphere.

Deubner, F.-L.↗