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At least 271 records · Page 15

Analysis of the emission line spectra of a solar flare observed from Skylab

Skylab observations in the EUV spectra made with the NRL split spectrograph during the Sept. 5, 1973 flare have revealed that chromospheric and transition zone lines were enhanced, especially the allowed lines. Greatest enhancement was noted in the Ni II and P II lines (by a factor of 800). The chromospheric lines maintain their sharp and Gaussian profiles and are not appreciably broadened. The transition zone lines, however, show a red shifted component during the initial phase of the flare. Turbulent downward mass motions are observed, probably due to the imbalance between hot flare plasma (13 x 10 to the 6th K) and cooler plasma (10 to the 5th K). High density is recorded in the transition zone, whose thickness, therefore, is deduced to be small.

Cheng, C.-C.↗

Dead-time effects in microchannel-plate imaging detectors

The observed counting rates of microchannel plate (MCP) based detectors for high resolution observations of celestial EUV and X-ray sources vary over many orders of magnitude; the counting capability of an individual channel, however, is not high, and is associated with dead-times ranging from 0.1 msec to 1 sec. The dead-time increases with the area illuminated; attention is presently given to laboratory determinations of the count rate characteristics of a MCP detector as a function of illuminated area, and a model is developed for these results' use in the interpretation of space observations.

Zombeck, Martin V.↗

Properties of the Io plasma torus inferred from Voyager EUV data

A physical model for the Io plasma torus is constructed to explain the EUV radiative emission observed by the Voyager UV spectrometer. Electron impact excitation rate coefficients for electronic transitions of S III, S IV, O II and O III are calculated by the method of distorted waves (Davis, Kepple, and Blaha, 1976); these coefficients account for the asymmetric shape of the 686 A feature. It is concluded that the electron gas must have a distribution function with a non-Maxwellian tail. An approximate representation of the distribution function as two temperature components requires a cold component of 3.5-4 eV and density of 2000 per cu cm and a hot component of about 100 eV and density of 50-100 per cu cm to satisfy observational constraints.

Strobel, D. F.↗

Plasma diagnostics for the outer solar corona - UV and XUV Fe XII lines

The formation of the UV and XUV spectral lines of Fe XII in the outer corona was investigated. The results indicate that these lines can be an important tool for probing the physical conditions in the coronal regions where the solar wind is generated. The Fe XII lines can be particularly useful for determining outflow velocities of heavy ions in the solar wind and for providing critical empirical constraints on energy transport and dissipation mechanisms in the solar wind acceleration region. Application of the theoretical calculations to existing UV, EUV, and XUV observations of the low corona provide evidence that: (1) the inclusion of the effects of resonances in the collision strengths for the low-lying levels of Fe XII is important, (2) that the contributions of resonances for these levels are even larger than the estimates given in the present paper, and (3) that the collision strengths used here yield populations for these levels which are accurate to a factor of 2. These results have implications concerning the accuracy of abundances and densities derived from observations of the Fe XII lines in the low corona.

Withbroe, G. L.↗

The Jovian aurora: Electron or ion precipitation

High signal-to-noise spectra of the Jovian aurora at UV wavelengths obtained using the International Ultraviolet Explorer Observatory (including the brightest Jovian aurora observed to date) set strigent upper limits for sulfur and oxygen emissions, which would be associated with the precipitation of energetic heavy ions in the upper Jovian atmosphere if they were solely responsible for Jovian auroral processes. Model calculations of heavy ion precipitation and corresponding estimates of the associated sulfur and oxygen UV emissions previously carried out suggest emission values for 1304 A OI emission that are at least 30 times larger than the upper limit values set by the IUE observations reported. On the other hand the observed (feature of SII at 1256 A of 2 kR) is quite comparable to the theoretically predicted emission intensity. Taken together these observations and calculations suggest that electron as well as ion precipitation play a role in Jovian auroral processes. In light of earlier X-ray observations and in-situ plasma observations that suggest energetic heavy ion precipitation in the Jovian auroral zone, a scenario is suggested where heavy ion auroral energy deposition is concentrated at altitudes below the homopause. Electrons with energies of 10 to 30 keV are responsible for the bulk of the observable UV and EUV emissions since they deposit their energy above the methane absorbing layer defined by the homopause.

Waite, J. H., Jr.↗

On the energy crisis in the Io plasma torus

Recent calculations of the energy balance of the Io plasma torus show that the observed UV and EUV radiation cannot be maintained solely via energy input by the ion pickup mechanism. Current theoretical models of the torus must be modified to include non-local energy input. It is argued that the required energy may be supplied by inward diffusion of energetic heavy ions with energies less than about 20 keV.

Smith, Robert A.↗

The Jovian Aurora - Electron or ion precipitation?

High signal-to-noise spectra of the Jovian aurora obtained at 1200 to 1500 A by the IUE Observatory were examined for the existence of sulfur and oxygen emissions that would be expected if the UV emissions were produced by precipitating heavy ions. The results of these measurements and subsequent spectral modeling, using a model of heavy aurora constructed by Horanyi et al. (1988), showed mixed evidence of the oxygen and sulfur emissions. It was noted that only the UV emissions which are produced above the UV absorbing hydrocarbon layer were observed by the IUE and Voyager UV spectrometers. This fact, combined with the recent observations of the longitudinal distribution of the Jovian UV aurora, indicates that electrons as well as ions play a role in Jovian auroral processes. Based on the observations, it is suggested that heavy-ion auroral energy deposition is concentrated at altitudes below the homopause, while electrons with energies of 10 to 30 keV are responsible for the bulk of the observable UV and EUV emissions.

Waite, J. H., Jr.↗

The constitution of the atmospheric layers and the extreme ultraviolet spectrum of hot hydrogen-rich white dwarfs

An analysis is presented of the atmospheric properties of hot, H-rich, DA white dwarfs that is based on optical, UV, and X-ray observations aimed at predicting detailed spectral properties of these stars in the range 80-800 A. The divergences between observations from a sample of 15 hot DA white dwarfs emitting in the EUV/soft X-ray range and pure H synthetic spectra calculated from a grid of model atmospheres characterized by Teff and g are examined. Seven out of 15 DA stars are found to consistently exhibit pure hydrogen atmospheres, the remaining seven stars showing inconsistency between FUV and EUV/soft X-ray data that can be explained by the presence of trace EUV/soft X-ray absorbers. Synthetic data are computed assuming two other possible chemical structures: photospheric traces of radiatively levitated heavy elements and a stratified hydrogen/helium distribution. Predictions about forthcoming medium-resolution observations of the EUV spectrum of selected hot H-rich white dwarfs are made.

Vennes, Stephane↗

A coronal mass ejection model for the 1992 July 15 flare on AU Microscopii observed by the extreme ultraviolet explorer

The dM1e flare star AU Microscopii (AU Mic) was observed by the EUVE Deep Survey Instrument on 1992 July 14-18. A large flare was detected in the Deep Survey Lexan/Boron (DS Lex/B)(65-190 A) band and the SW (70-190 A) and MW (140-380 A) spectrometers. The flare consisted of a sharp impulsive peak lasting approximately 2 hours followed by a decaying tail lasting about a day. We present a simple, single temperature, dynamic model for the flare decay which is consistent with the DS Lex/B light curve and reproduces the strongest, high-temperature spectral lines in the released EUVE spectra. In this model, we assume the long decay time is due to an ejected, magnetically confined, low beta plasmoid expanding self similarly in the ambient medium in a manner reminiscent of solar coronal mass ejections. We demonstrate that the long tail of the DS Lex/B light curve can be explained by rapid expansion, causing the plasma to become tenuous sufficiently quickly that it avoids catastrophic radiative cooling. From this model, we estimate the mass of the plasmoid to be approximately = 10(exp 20) g and the total energy of the event to be approximately = 10(exp 36) ergs. These values are approximately 10(exp 4) times as large as those seen during the largest solar coronal mass ejection (CME) events. We argue that the results of our model are consistent with other measurements of stellar flare parameters. We also estimate a mass-loss rate of a few times 10(exp -13) Solar mass/yr and discuss the role of mass loss from dMe stars in the mass balance of the interstellar medium. We estimate the rotational braking timescale from these events to be less than 500 million years and suggest that CME's may be an important source of angular momentum loss from late-type stars.

Cully, Scott L.↗

Insensitivity of Line-Ratio Diagnostics to Steady-State Non-Maxwellian Electron Distributions in Solar Corona

We examine the idea that the corona is heated by a population of nonthermal particles. An upper limit on the size of the nonthermal population is derived by assuming that all of the radiation and conduction losses in the corona are provided by the nonthermal tail of the particle distribution. Only a very small percentage of nonthermal particles are allowed. These particles have a negligable effect on temperature sensitive line ratios typically observed in the EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation).

Falconer, D. A.↗

Atomic Data and Spectral Line Intensities for S XI

Electron impact collision strengths, energy levels, oscillator strengths and spontaneous radiative decay rates are calculated for S XI. The configurations included are 2s(sup 2)2psup 2), 2s2p(sup 3), 2p(sup 4), 2s(sup 2)2p3l and 2s(sup 2)2p4l (I = s , p , d) giving rise to 72 fine-structure levels in intermediate coupling. Collision strengths are calculated at five incident energies, 32, 60, 90, 120, and 150 Ry. Excitation rate coefficients are calculated as a function of electron temperature by assuming a Maxwellian electron velocity distribution. Using the excitation rate coefficients and the radiative transition rates, statistical equilibrium equations for level populations are solved: The effects of resonances, proton rates, photoexcitation and cascades on level populations have been investigate. The predicted S XI line intensities are compared with EUV and UV observations of the quiet and active Sun.

Landi, E.↗

Hinode Observations of the Onset Stage of a Solar Filament Eruption

We use Hinode X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) filtergraph (FG) Stokes-V magnetogram observations, to study the early onset of a solar eruption that includes an erupting filament that we observe in TRACE EUV images. The filament undergoes a slow rise for about 20 min prior to its fast eruption and strong soft X-ray flaring, and the new Hinode data elucidate the physical processes occurring during the slow-rise period. Magnetic flux cancellation occurs along the neutral line of the filament, beginning several hours before eruption. During the slow-rise phase, a soft X-ray (SXR) sigmoid forms from apparent reconnection low in the sheared core field traced by the filament, and there is a low-level intensity peak in both EUV and SXRs at the start of the slow rise.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

Early Hinode Observations of a Solar Filament Eruption

We use Hinode X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) filtergraph (FG) Stokes-V magnetogram observations to study the early onset of a solar eruption that includes an erupting filament that we observe in TRACE EUV images; this is one of the first filament eruptions seen with Hinode. The filament undergoes a slow rise for at least 30 min prior to its fast eruption and strong soft X-ray flaring, and the new Hinode data elucidate the physical processes occurring during the slow-rise period: During the slow-rise phase, a soft X-ray (SXR) sigmoid forms from apparent reconnection low in the sheared core field traced by the filament, and there is a low-level intensity peak in both EUV and SXRs during the slow rise. The SOT data show that magnetic flux cancellation occurs along the neutral line of the filament in the hours before eruption, and this likely caused the low-lying reconnection that produced the microflaring and the slow rise leading up to the eruption.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

Hinode Observations of the Onset Stage of a Solar Filament Eruption

We used Hinode X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) filtergraph (FG) Stokes-V magnetogram observations, to study the early onset of a solar eruption that includes an erupting filament that we observe in TRACE EUV images. The filament undergoes a slow rise for at least 20min prior to its fast eruption and strong soft X-ray (SXR) flaring; such slow rises have been previously reported, and the new Hinode data elucidate the physical processes occurring during this period. XRT images show that during the slow-rise phase, an SXR sigmoid forms from apparent reconnection low in the sheared core field traced by the filament, and there is a low-level intensity peak in both EUV and SXRs during the slow rise. MDI and SOT FG Stokes-V magnetograms show that the pre-emption filament is along a neutral line between opposing-polarity enhanced network cells, and the SOT magnetograms show that these opposing fields are flowing together and canceling for at least six hours prior to eruption. From the MDI data we measured the canceling network fields to be approx. 40 G, and we estimated that approx. 10(exp 19)Mx of flux canceled during the five hours prior to eruption; this is only approx.5% of the total flux spanned by the eruption and flare, but apparently its tether-cutting cancellation was enough to destabilize the sigmoid field holding the filament and resulted in that field's eruption.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

Hinode Observations of the Onset Stage of a Solar Filament Eruption

We use Hinode X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) filtergraph (FG) Stokes-V magnetogram observations, to study the early onset of a solar eruption that includes an erupting filament that we observe in TRACE EUV images. The filament undergoes a slow rise for at least 20 min prior to its fast eruption and strong soft X-ray flaring; such slow rises have been previously reported, and the new Hinode data elucidate the physical processes occurring during this period. XRT images show that during the slow-rise phase, a soft X-ray (SXR) sigmoid forms from apparent reconnection low in the sheared core field traced by the filament, and there is a low-level intensity peak in both EUV and SXRs during the slow rise. MDI and SOT FG/V magnetograms show that the pre-eruption filament is along a neutral line between opposing-polarity enhanced network cells, and the SOT magnetograms show that these opposing fields are flowing together and canceling for at least six hours prior to eruption. From the MDI data we measure the canceling network fields to be approx. 40 G, and we estimate that approx. 10(exp 19) Mx of flux canceled during the five hours prior to eruption; this is only approx. 5% of the total flux spanned by the eruption and flare, but apparently its tether-cutting cancellation was enough to destabilize the sigmoid field holding the filament and resulted in that field's eruption.

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

Correlation of Coronal Plasma Properties and Solar Magnetic Field in a Decaying Active Region

We present the analysis of a decaying active region observed by the EUV Imaging Spectrometer on Hinode during 2009 December 7-11. We investigated the temporal evolution of its structure exhibited by plasma at temperatures from 300,000 to 2.8 million degrees, and derived the electron density, differential emission measure, effective electron temperature, and elemental abundance ratios of Si/S and Fe/S (as a measure of the First Ionization Potential (FIP) Effect). We compared these coronal properties to the temporal evolution of the photospheric magnetic field strength obtained from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Michelson Doppler Imager magnetograms. We find that, while these coronal properties all decreased with time during this decay phase, the largest change was at plasma above 1.5 million degrees. The photospheric magnetic field strength also decreased with time but mainly for field strengths lower than about 70 Gauss. The effective electron temperature and the FIP bias seem to reach a basal state (at 1.5 x 10(exp 6) K and 1.5, respectively) into the quiet Sun when the mean photospheric magnetic field (excluding all areas <10 G) weakened to below 35 G, while the electron density continued to decrease with the weakening field. These physical properties are all positively correlated with each other and the correlation is the strongest in the high-temperature plasma. Such correlation properties should be considered in the quest for our understanding of how the corona is heated. The variations in the elemental abundance should especially be considered together with the electron temperature and density.

Sun: abundances↗

IRIS and SDO Observations of Solar Jetlets Resulting from Flux Cancelation

Jets of all sizes are frequent magnetically channeled narrow eruptions. They occur in various solar environments: quiet regions, coronal holes and active regions. All coronal jets observed in UV, EUV and X-ray images show a bright spire with a base brightening, also known as jet bright point (JBP). Recent studies show that coronal jets are driven by small-scale filament eruptions. We found in on disk quiet regions and coronal holes that coronal jets originate at a neutral line between dominant-polarity flux and a patch of canceling minority-polarity flux.

Panesar, Navdeep K.↗

Variable EUV emission in the quiet sun and coronal heating

We review the characteristics of the variable emission from the small scale structure in the quiet sun, in view of the recent theoretical proposals that microflares are responsible for the heating of the corona and the solar wind. We consider the observational properties of the variable emission in quiet regions and coronal holes. Our results are based primarily on simultaneous multiwavelength EUV observations, supplemented by combinations of simultaneous cm radio, He I 10830 A, X-ray and line of sight photospheric magnetic field measurements. We show that the variable emission from the small-scale structure has surprisingly well-defined properties. Yet, within the limit of the temporal and spatial resolution of data currently available, the radiative losses, from this component of the emission, are a factor of ten smaller than that in the quiet sun. Hence, the theory of microflare heating cannot rely on these observations for support.

Habbal, S. R.↗