SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “solar activity”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 415 records · Page 23

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1989

Design of the polarimeter for the Solar Activity Measurements Experiments (SAMEX) vector magnetograph

A design concept developed for a polarimeter on the vector magnetograph of the SAMEX satellite that would be very sensitive to solar vector magnetic fields is described. A description of the Poincare sphere is presented, along with the instrument scientific requirements, to provide an understanding of how the polarimeter design has been selected. It is shown that the design goal of a polarimetric sensitivity of 0.0001 can be achieved in the linear measurements using a hybrid analyzer. It is also noted that the systematic errors that produce linear crosstalk into the circular measurement will require the use of the redundant polarization measurements for in-flight calibrations and corrections of the data.

West, E. A.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Seismic Study of the Solar Interior: Inferences from SOI/MDI Observations During Solar Activity

We have continued in collaboration with Dr. Eff-Darwich (University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain) the study of the structure, asphericity and dynamics of the solar interior from p-mode frequencies and frequency splittings. In March 2001, Dr. Eff-Darwich came for 3 weeks visit to CfA. During this visit we completed our work on the inversion of the internal solar rotation rate, and submitted a paper describing this work to the Astrophysical Journal. This paper has been recently revised in response to the referee comments and I expect that it will be accepted for publication very soon. We also have analyzed helioseismic data looking for temporal variations of the solar stratification near the base of the convection zone. We have expanded on the initial work that was presented at the SOHO-10/GONG-2000 meeting (October 2000, Tenerife), and are in the process of writing this up. Substantial progress towards the characterization of high-degree p-modes has been achieved. Indeed, in collaboration Dr. Rabello-Soares (Stanford University), we have gained a clear conceptual understanding of the various elements that affect the leakage matrix of the SOI/MDI instrument. This was presented in an invited talk at the SOHO-10/GONG-2000 meeting (October 2000, Tenerife). Once we will have successfully migrated from a qualitative to a quantitative assessment of these effects, we should be able to generate high-degree p-modes frequencies so crucial in the diagnostic of the layers just below solar surface.

Korzennik, Sylvain G.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Photospheric models of solar active regions and the network based on the Mg II h and k line wings

From a comparison between observed and computed wings of the Mg II resonance lines, distributions of temperature versus mass column density for solar photospheric layers in plages and in the chromospheric network are derived. The theoretical profiles are computed assuming partial coherent scattering. In the active regions, temperatures exceed those in the quiet sun by up to 200 K near the temperature minimum and up to 400 K in deeper layers. In the observed network structure, the temperature is enhanced by 200 K at the temperature minimum but is the same as that in the quiet sun at greater depths. The difference in the slope of the temperature distribution between the network and plages is real, but may refer only to long elements of the network rather than to the brightest portions. Adjacent to the network is a region in which the temperatures are similar to those in the quiet sun, except immediately below the temperature minimum, where the temperatures are depressed by 150 K.

Morrison, N. D.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A comment on the suspected solar neutrino -- solar activity connection

Recently, it has been proposed that there exists a highly statistically significant (at greater than or equal to 98% level of confidence) relationship between Ar-37 production rate (namely, solar neutrinos) and the Ap geomagnetic index (namely, solar particles), based on the chi-square goodness-of-fit test and correlation analysis, for the interval 1970-1990. While a relationship between the two parameters, indeed, seems to be discernible, the strength of the relationship has been overstated. Instead of being significant at the afore-mentioned level of confidence, the relationship is found to be significant at only greater than or equal to 95% level of confidence, based on Yates' modification to the chi-square test for 2 x 2 contingency tables. Likewise, while correlation analysis yields a value of r = 0.2691, it is important to note that such a value suggests that only about 7% of the variance can be 'explained' by the inferred correlation and that the remaining 93% of the variance must be attributed to other sources.

Wilson, Robert M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A Comment on the Suspected Solar Neutrino-Solar Activity Connection

Recently, it has been proposed that there exists a highly statistically significant (at greater than or equal to 98% level of confidence) relationship between Ar-37 production rate (viz., solar neutrinos) and the Ap geomagnetic index (viz., solar particles), based on the (chi)-square goodness-of-fit test and correlation analysis, for the interval 1970-1990. While a relationship between the two parameters, indeed, seems to be discernible, the strength of the relationship has been overstated. Instead of being significant at the afore-mentioned level of confidence, the relationship is found to be significant at only greater than or equal to 95% level of confidence, based on Yates' modification to the (chi)-square test for 2 x 2 contingency tables. Likewise, while correlation analysis yields a value of r = 0.2691, it is important to note that such a value suggests that only about 7% of the variance can be 'explained' by the inferred correlation and that the remaining 93% of the variance must be attributed to other sources.

Wilson, Robert M.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Automated recognition and characterization of solar active regions based on the SOHO/MDI images

The first results of a new method to identify and characterize the various surface structures on the sun, which may contribute to the changes in solar total and spectral irradiance, are shown. The full disk magnetograms (1024 x 1024 pixels) of the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) experiment onboard SOHO are analyzed. Use of a Bayesian inference scheme allows objective, uniform, automated processing of a long sequence of images. The main goal is to identify the solar magnetic features causing irradiance changes. The results presented are based on a pilot time interval of August 1996.

Pap, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Solar activity and coronal mass ejections on the western hemisphere of the Sun in mid-August 1989: Association with interplanetary observations at the ICE and IMP 8 spacecraft

During the 10-day period from August 12 to 21, 1989, a sequence of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) was observed above the west limb of the Sun by the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) coronagraph. Most of these CMEs apparently originated in the vicinity of one particularly active region during its passage from near central meridian to behind the west limb of the Sun. We present observations made at 1 AU during this period by the International Cometary Explorer (ICE) (formerly International Sun Earth Explorer-3 (ISEE 3)) and Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP 8) spacecraft which were separated by approximately 75 deg in heliolongitude. Following CMEs on August 12 associated with solar events at approximately W40 deg, IMP 8 (in Earth orbit) detected a strong shock followed by signatures in magnetic field, solar wind plasma, and energetic ion data which suggest that CME-related material ('ejecta') forming the shock driver engulfed the spacecraft. This spacecraft only observed weak shocks, and no ejecta, from later CMEs originating further west of the spacecraft. In contrast ICE, off the west limb at approximately W75 deg, observed the shock from the W40 deg event but failed to encounter the shock driver, whereas clear ejecta signatures were observed following events further west, closer to the spacecraft heliolongitude. The disappearance of these signatures (which include bidirectional energetic ion flows, bidirectional solar wind heat fluxes, quiet, enhanced magnetic fields and anomalously cool plasma) at IMP 8 and their emergence at ICE as the solar source region moved westward supports the association of such signatures with ejecta related to CMEs. The dual-spacecraft observations are also consistent with the conclusion of Richardson and Cane (1993) that ejecta at 1 AU typically extend approximately 50 degs in longitude from the solar source. Some plausible associations between particular intervals of ejecta signatures at ICE and individual CMEs are made. However, these associations are complicated by the large number of CMEs present, by intermittent ICE data coverage, and by uncertainties in the ejecta propagation speeds to the spacecraft.

Richardson, I. G.↗

NASA NTRS2023

Deciphering Solar Magnetic Activity: The (Solar) Hale Cycle Terminator of 2021

McIntosh and colleagues identified an event in the solar timeline that appeared to play a role in how Sunspot Cycle 23 (SC23) transitioned into Sunspot Cycle 24 (SC24). The timeframe for this transition was rapid, taking place in as short as time as a solar rotation. M2014 inferred that the transition observed was a critical episode for the Sun’s global-scale magnetic field that was being manifest in the spatially and temporally overlapping and magnetic systems belonging to the Sun’s 22-year (Hale) magnetic cycle. These events have been dubbed as Hale Cycle terminations, or ‘terminators’ for short. Further exploration revealed a relationship between terminator separation (as a measure of overlap in the Hale Cycles) and the upcoming sunspot cycle amplitude. McIntosh and colleagues extrapolated upon this relationship to identify the termination of the SC24 carrying Hale Cycle band in Mid-2020 and inferred that this would result in a very large Sunspot Cycle 25 (SC25). This paper presents observational analysis of the end of SC24 and the initial months of SC25 growth following a terminator that occurred in mid-December 2021 (approximately 12/13/2021). We use the December 2021 terminator to finalize the forecast of SC25 amplitude 184 (±17 with 95% confidence, and ±63 with 68% confidence). Finally, we use other terminator-related superposed epoch analyses to project the timing of SC25 maxima in late 2023 to mid 2024.

Sun↗

NASA NTRS1985

A simulation study of distortion of the heliospheric sheet caused by solar activity

During major geomagnetic storms, the interplanetary magnetic field angle, phi, changes often abruptly, either from 135 to 315 or 315 to 135 deg, suggesting that the heliospheric current sheet is pushed upward or downward by disturbed solar wind. The distortion of the heliospheric current sheet by three successive solar flares is simulated to show that such a flapping motion can occur.

Fry, C. D.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Global exospheric temperatures and densities under active solar conditions

Temperatures measured by the OGO-6 satellite using the 6300 A airglow spectrum are compared with temperatures derived from total densities and N2 densities. It is shown that while the variation of the total densities with latitude and magnetic activity agree well with values used for CIRA (1972), the temperature behavior is very different. While the temperatures derived from the N2 density were in much better agreement there were several important differences which radically affect the pressure gradients. The variation of temperature with magnetic activity indicated a seasonal and local time effect and also a latitude and delay time variation different from previous density derived temperatures. A new magnetic index is proposed that is better correlated with the observed temperatures. The temperature variations at high latitudes were examined for three levels of magnetic activity for both solstices and equinox conditions. A temperature maximum in the pre-midnight sector and a minimum in the noon sector were noted and seasonal and geomagnetic time and latitude effects discussed. Neutral temperature, density, pressure and boundary oxygen variations for the great storm of March 8, 1970 are presented.

Wydra, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Global exospheric temperatures and densities under active solar conditions

Nisbet, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Effects of solar activity in the middle atmosphere dynamical regime over Eastern Siberia, USSR

Lower thermospheric (90 to 120 km) wind data was acquired by ground based spaced-receiver method (HF, LF) near Irkutsk (52 deg N, 104 deg E). There is interrelated solar and meteorological control of lower thermosphere dynamics. Some features of solar control effects on the wind parameters are discussed.

Gaidukov, V. A.↗

NASA NTRS2012

VHF Radio Response of the near Earth Space During Solar Activity Growth in October, 2003

The analysis of observations of very high frequency radio noise intensity at the middle latitude on a frequency f = 500 MHz from 14th till 26th of October, 2003 is presented. These data are compared with the solar radio bursts in the range of frequencies 1-14 MHz registered by RAD2 receiver of the WAVES device installed on board the WIND spacecraft. The sporadic enhancement of near Earth very high frequency radio noise were observed with the help of ground radio telescope preferably either in pre mid night hours or at daytime. In many cases between October 17 and 22 short-term increases of the fluxes of low energy electrons, protons and ions in the interplanetary space by hundreds of times, corresponded to VHF radio bursts. At the same time slow increasing of solar cosmic rays streams at Lagrange point L1 and on geostationary orbit during October, 21 and 22, did not affect the usual radio noise level. A strong solar flare of 1B/X5.5 class on October 23 contributed to a prolonged rise of the intensity level of spectral radio emission, including the night sector of magnetosphere. It is assumed that very high frequency radio bursts in the near Earth space may appear when the processes of penetration of interplanetary low energy charge particles into Earth plasmasphere take place.

Dudnik, O. V.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Comparison of activity in solar cycles 18, 19, and 20

Although solar activity cycles are in general remarkably similar, cycles 18, 19, and 20, with maximums in 1947.5, 1958.2, and 1968.9, respectively, differed in the heights of their maximums, in the patterns of their development, and to a certain extent in the character of their manifestations of solar activity. Of the 20 solar cycles since 1755, the maximums in sunspot numbers for cycles 18, 19, and 20 rank as 3, 1, and 10, respectively. Cycle 18, with a maximum smoothed monthly sunspot number of 151.8, was the cycle of 'giant' spots. Cycle 19, with the highest recorded maximum, 201.3, included many large spots but failed to produce spots with areas equal to those of cycle 18. The highest known daily 2800-MHz flux occurred in cycle 18, not in cycle 19. Cycle 20, with a sunspot maximum of only 110.6, appears to have been close to the average cycle of the last 220 years. An attempt is made to compare the general levels of flare production in the three cycles. Cycle 19 is estimated to have been more flare-rich than cycle 18 by a much smaller factor than the original data implied. In cycle 20, general flare production drops conspicuously.

Dodson, H. W.↗

NASA NTRS1975

The X-ray line and continuum emission from a solar active region

The X-ray spectrum of the quiet sun in the energy range 2.3 - 6.9 keV was observed from an Aerobee rocket using an uncollimated graphite crystal spectrometer. These results and spatial measurements made with an onboard modulation collimator are analyzed using solar models.

Landecker, P. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The MSFC/J70 orbital atmosphere model and the data bases for the MSFC solar activity prediction technique

The MSFC/J70 Orbital Atmospheric Density Model, a modified version of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Jacchia 1970 model is explained. The algorithms describing the MSFC/J70 model are included as well as listing of the computer program. The 13-month smoothed values of solar flux (F sub 10.7) and geomagnetic index (S sub p), which are required as inputs for the MSFC/J70 model, are also included and discussed.

Johnson, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1975

The X-ray line and continuum emission from a solar active region

The X-ray spectrum of the quiet sun in the energy range of 2.3-6.9 keV was observed from an Aerobee rocket using an uncollimated graphite crystal spectrometer. These results and spatial measurements made with an onboard modulation collimator are analyzed using solar models. Several methods of estimating coronal temperatures are used in the analysis and all yield results within the range of (4 plus or minus 1) million K.

Landecker, P. B.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Volcanic eruptions and solar activity

The historical record of large volcanic eruptions from 1500 to 1980 is subjected to detailed time series analysis. In two weak but probably statistically significant periodicities of about 11 and 80 yr, the frequency of volcanic eruptions increases (decreases) slightly around the times of solar minimum (maximum). Time series analysis of the volcanogenic acidities in a deep ice core from Greenland reveals several very long periods ranging from about 80 to about 350 yr which are similar to the very slow solar cycles previously detected in auroral and C-14 records. Solar flares may cause changes in atmospheric circulation patterns that abruptly alter the earth's spin. The resulting jolt probably triggers small earthquakes which affect volcanism.

Stothers, Richard B.↗