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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.

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NASA NTRS1984

The new MSFC Solar vector magnetograph. Center director's discretionary fund

The unique MSFC solar vector magnetograph allows measurements of all three components of the Sun's photospheric magnetic field over a wide field-of-view with spatial resolution determined by a 2.7 x 2.7 arc second pixel size. This system underwent extensive modifications to improve its sensitivity and temporal response. The modifications included replacing an SEC vidicon detector with a solid-state CCD camera; replacing the original digital logic circuitry with an electronic controller and a computer to provide complete, programmable control over the entire operation of the magnetograph; and installing a new polarimeter which consists of a single electro-optical modulator coupled with interchangeable waveplates mounted on a rotating assembly. The system is described and results of calibrations and tests are presented. Initial observations of solar magnetic fields with the new magnetograph are presented.

Hagyard, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Fiber optic sensors

A survey of the developments in the field of fiber optics sensor technology is presented along with a discussion of the advantages of optical measuring instruments as compared with electronic sensors. The two primary types of fiber optics sensors, specifically those with multiwave fibers and those with monowave fibers, are described. Examples of each major sensor type are presented and discussed. Multiwave detectors include external and internal fiber optics sensors. Among the monowave detectors are Mach-Zender interferometers, Michelson interferometers, Sagnac interferometers (optical gyroscopes), waveguide resonators, and polarimeter sensors. Integrated optical sensors and their application in spectroscopy are briefly discussed.

Hesse, J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A search for X-ray polarization in cosmic X-ray sources

Fifteen strong X-ray sources were observed by the X-ray polarimeters on board the OSO-8 satellite from 1975 to 1978. The final results of this search for X-ray polarization in cosmic sources are presented in the form of upper limits for the ten sources which are discussed elsewhere. These limits in all cases are consistent with a thermal origin for the X-ray emission.

Hughes, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Equatorial ozone profiles from the Solar Maximum Mission - A comparison with theory

The UV spectrometer polarimeter on the Solar Maximum Mission has been utilized to measure mesospheric O3 altitude profiles by the technique of solar occultation. Sunset data are presented for 1980, during the fall equinoctal period within + or - 20 deg of the geographic equator. Mean O3 concentrations are (40, 16, 5.5, and 1.5) x 10 to the 9th/cu cm at 50, 55, 60, and 65 km, respectively. Some profiles exhibit altitude structure which is wavelike. The mean O3 profile is fit best with the results of a time-dependent model if the assumed water-vapor mixing ratio employed varies from 6 ppm at 65 km.

Aikin, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Morphology and movements of polarization features on Venus as seen in the Pioneer Orbiter Cloud Photopolarimeter data

The regional structure of Venus seen in polarization data acquired during the first 600 orbits of the Orbiter Cloud Polarimeter are described. Local organized features are seen whose morphology is similar to that of the ultraviolet clouds. No obvious correlation between the observed amount of polarization and the relative brightness is found, suggesting that the polarization features are not due to variations in the unpolarized intensity alone. Substantial variations in the structure and visibility of the polarization features suggest that the amount of haze in and above the main cloud layer is not constant. These features show movements similar to those of the ultraviolet clouds in both direction and speed.

Limaye, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A search for X-ray polarization in cosmic X-ray sources

Fifteen strong X-ray sources were observed by the X-ray polarimeters on board the OSO 8 satellite from 1975 to 1978. The final results of this search for X-ray polarization in cosmic sources are presented in the form of upper limits for the 10 sources which have not been discussed elsewhere. These limits in all cases are consistent with a thermal origin for the X-ray emission.

Hughes, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Photospheric electric current and transition region brightness within an active region

Distributions of vertical electrical current density J(z) calculated from vector measurements of the photospheric magnetic field are compared with ultraviolet spectroheliograms to investigate whether resistive heating is an important source of enhanced emission in the transition region. The photospheric magnetic fields in Active Region 2372 were measured on April 6 and 7, 1980 with the Marshall Space Flight Center vector magnetograph; ultraviolet wavelength spectroheliograms (L-alpha and N V 1239 A) were obtained with the UV Spectrometer and Polarimeter experiment aboard the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. Spatial registration of the J(z) (5 arcsec resolution) and UV (3 arcsec resolution) maps indicates that the maximum current density is cospatial with a minor but persistent UV enhancement, but there is little detected current associated with other nearby bright areas. It is concluded that, although resistive heating may be important in the transition region, the currents responsible for the heating are largely unresolved in the present measurements and have no simple correlation with the residual current measured on 5-arcsec scales.

Deloach, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dynamics of solar filaments. III - Analysis of steady flows in H-alpha and C IV lines

A statistical analysis of intensities and radial velocities of several solar plage filaments (i.e. prominences seen on the solar disk) observed at disk center is presented. Intensity and radial (= vertical) velocity maps were derived from simultaneous 2D measurements of the H-alpha chromospheric line with the Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph operating on the Meudon solar tower, and also obtained from 2D recordings of the C IV transition-zone line (1548 A) with the UV Spectrometer and Polarimeter aboard the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. A good correlation (around 0.5) is found between intensities in both lines, as well as between velocities. Persistent upflows are measured in both lines at the filament location. The mean vertical velocities are respectively 0.5 km/s in H-alpha and 5.6 km/s in C IV. The analysis of mass fluxes suggests that C IV upflows occur in the transition region around prominences rather than below, in the chromosphere-corona transition zone.

Schmieder, B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Measurements of vector fields with diode array

A polarimeter was designed for high spatial and spectral resolution. It consists of a quarter-wave plate alternately operating in two positions for Stoke-V measurements and an additional quarter-wave plate for Stokes-U and -Q measurements. The spatial range covers 75 arcsec, the spectral window of about 1.8 a allows the simultaneous observations of neighboring lines. The block diagram of the data processing and acquisition system consists of five memories each one having a capacity of 10 to the 4th power 16-bit words. The total time to acquire profiles of Stokes parameters can be chosen by selecting the number of successive measurements added in the memories, each individual measurement corresponding to an integration time of 0.5 sec. Typical values range between 2 and 60 sec depending on the brightness of the structure, the amount of polarization and a compromise between desired signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution.

Wiehr, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Effect of polarized radiative transfer on the Hanle magnetic field determination in prominences: Analysis of hydrogen H alpha line observations at Pic-du-Midi

The linear polarization of the Hydrogen H alpha line of prominences has been computed, taking into account the effect of a magnetic field (Hanle effect), of the radiative transfer in the prominence, and of the depolarization due to collisions with the surrounding electrons and protons. The corresponding formalisms are developed in a forthcoming series of papers. In this paper, the main features of the computation method are summarized. The results of computation have been used for interpretation in terms of magnetic field vector measurements from H alpha polarimetric observations in prominences performed at Pic-du-Midi coronagraph-polarimeter. Simultaneous observations in one optically thin line (He I D(3)) and one optically thick line (H alpha) give an opportunity for solving the ambiguity on the field vector determination.

Bommier, V.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Observation of a coronal transient from 1.2 to 6 solar radii

The paper describes in detail the eruptive prominence associated coronal mas ejection of August 5, 1980, as seen in both the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) coronagraph polarimeter and the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) K coronameter and prominence monitor. This event gives the first detailed look at the propagation of a 'depletion' transient into the outer corona. The event begins in the MLO K coronameter as a rising depletion of material, but appears later in the SMM coronograph as an ordinary coronal mass ejection with a three-part structure: a bright core within a dark lunette surrounded by a bright featureles 'loop'. A joint time-height plot of the major structures of the eruption seen by both instruments suggests that the three-part structure in the outer corona can be associated with features in the low corona (prominence, prominence cavity, outer bright front). It is argued from its observed mass that the leading loop in the SMM field of view is probably material that was in the background corona before the event. It is suggested that this material has been displaced and set into motion by the rising 'cavity.'

Illing, R. M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Dynamic evolution of recurrent mass ejections observed in H-alpha and C IV lines

The mass ejections of 1 September, 1980 are studied from observations obtained with the MSDP spectrograph and with the Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter aboard the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. The analysis is focused on observations in the chromospheric H-alpha line and the transition region C IV 1548 A line. It is noted that cold and hot material had the same projection, although the upward C IV velocity structure was more extended than the H-alpha one. It is shown that the observed contrast of the H-alpha absorbing structure can be interpreted in terms of a dynamic cloud model overlying the chromosphere. Radial velocities of 25-30 km/s and -40 km/s are estimated for the first and second phases of ejection, respectively.

Schmieder, B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A study of flare buildup from simultaneous observations in microwave, H-alpha, and UV wavelengths

The results of high-resolution observations of the solar preflare activity of June 25, 1980 are analyzed. The observations were carried out simultaneously in the UV microwave, and H-alpha wavelengths using the VLA, the Ottawa River photoheliograph, and the Solar Max spectrometer and polarimeter instruments. Increases were observed in the intensitiy and polarization of compact sources at a wavelength of 6-cm during the preflare hour. The increases were associated with rising and twisting motions in the magnetic loops near the sight of the subsequent flare. Consistent with this process, analysis of the transverse and Doppler motions observed in the H-alpha filament before disruption showed that the filament was activated internally by the motions of evolving magnetic flux patterns. Ultraviolet data for C IV brightenings and upflows at the first appearance of the H-alpha filament indicated the presence of rising magnetic loops and material rising within the loops. The complete VLA, microwave and H-alpha data sets are given.

Kundu, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Evidence for systematic flows in the transition region around prominences

The solar transition region in the neighborhood of prominences has been studied from observations with the Ultraviolet Spectrometer and Polarimeter of NASA's Solar Maximum Mission satellite. Dopplergrams from observations of the transition-region lines C IV 1548 A and Si IV 1393 A, which are formed at about 100,000 K, give velocity amplitudes typically in the range + or - 15 km/s. Prominences are found to be located very close to dividing lines between areas of up- and down-drafts in the transition-region. The observed pattern suggests that the 100,000 K gas flows take place within arcades of magnetic loops, which most likely are part of the supporting magnetic structure for the prominence matter. An additional band of blue-ward Doppler shifts is frequently seen close to quiescent prominences. This may be the source of outward flowing matter along the helmet streamers above filament channels.

Engvold, O.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Ultraviolet observations of solar flares from the Solar Maximum Mission

The results of observations of solar flares, obtained by means of the UV Spectrophotometer and Polarimeter (UVSP) instrument on board the Solar Maximum Mission satellite are summarized and discussed. The results are grouped into three main topics: (1) plasma diagnostics in the flare transition zone plasmas, (2) spatial and temporal evolutions of the UV and hard X-ray bursts, and (3) energy release processes in the impulsive phase. The methods of spectral UV analysis, comparison with the hard X-ray burst results, and the interpretation of the results are summarized. It is concluded that the energy release processes in the flare phase can be best interpreted in terms of multiple large and small interloops interacting with each other either mechanically or inductively. Furthermore, the majority of impulsive UV and hard X-ray bursts occurs in small compact loops with high densities and transition-zone temperatures. The impulsive hard X-ray and UV bursts are emitted by nonthermal particles, accelerated by the loop interactions and impinging on the footpoints of these loops.

Cheng, C.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

On the viability of exploiting L-shell fluorescence for X-ray polarimetry

It has been suggested that one may build an X-ray polarimeter by exploiting the polarization dependence of the angular distribution of L-shell fluorescence photons. In this paper the sensitivity of this approach to polarimetry is examined theoretically. The calculations are applied to several detection schemes using imaging proportional counters that would have direct application in X-ray astronomy. It is found, however, that the sensitivity of this method for measuring X-ray polarization is too low to be of use for other than laboratory applications.

Weisskopf, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

AXAF - A major spaceborne X-ray observatory

Attention is given to the design configuration and performance requirements of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, as established by Phase A study results, noting the conceptual apprach to instrument accommodation by means of a focal plane assembly. Conceptually, the various instruments incorporated are modular in design, so that they may be replaced in orbit using standard interfaces. The instruments in question are high and moderate resolution imagers, a high resolution dispersive spectrometer, a moderate resolution spectrometer, and a focal plane polarimeter.

Wyman, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility instrument interface requirements

A variety of instruments will be placed at the focus of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) telescope, either by moving them into focus through the use of an instrument carousel or by moving the telescope assembly. Focal plane instrument categories under consideration for AXAF encompass high and moderate resolution X-ray cameras, X-ray spectrometers, and polarimeters; some of these instruments may require such consumables as a cryogen, in the case of solid state device cooling, or a gas, as in the case of proportional counters. Attention is presently given to interface requirements impacting on the maintenance that must be conducted over the 15-year service life of AXAF, and, especially, on the 'aspect solution' criteria that must be met to minimize stiffness stability criteria.

Weisskopf, M. C.↗