A recalibration of the quiet Sun millimeter spectrum based on the Moon as an absolute radiometric standard

The solar millimeter continuum between 1 and 20 mm is recalibrated using observations of the average lunar brightness temperature at the center of lunar disk and new Moon brightness temperatures. The solar data are placed on a common scale according to the average lunar brightness temperature distribution proposed by Linsky. A least-squares parabolic regression curve is proposed for the solar millimeter continuum. A small departure from this regression curve near 8 mm may indicate the existence of an absorption feature.Staff member, Laboratory Astrophysics Division, National Bureau of Standards.     

Brightness temperatures of the quiet sun and new moon at the 6 mm wavelength

Absolute brightness temperatures and brightness temperature ratios of a quiet region near the center of the solar disk and the central region of the new moon were measured simultaneously at the 6 mm wavelength. The measured quiet sun/new moon brightness temperature ratios and reported central brightness temperatures of the new moon confirm the measured brightness temperature of the quiet sun at the 6 mm wavelength.Reported central brightness temperatures of the new moon are tabulated and graphed as a function of frequency and wavelength. The equation of a linear regression line for the reported measurements is given for estimating the brightness temperature of the new moon at any millimeter wavelength. Estimated brightness temperatures of the new moon and measured quiet sun/new moon ratios are used to estimate solar brightness temperatures at several millimeter wavelengths. The solar brightness temperatures, the regression line, and the Van de Hulst theoretical model are presented graphically as a function of frequency and wavelength. The regression line equation is given for estimating solar brightness temperatures at any wavelength in the 6 to 1 mm wavelength interval and is solved for the wavelength of the measured ratios.Reported solar brightness temperatures in the millimeter wavelength region are tabulated. The measured temperatures in the 6 to 1 mm wavelength interval and a linear regression line are presented graphically as a function of frequency and wavelength. The regression line equation is given and solved for the solar brightness temperatures at the 6 mm wavelength.This work supported by the U.S. Air Force under Contract No. F04701-69-C-0066.     

The Brightness Temperature of the Quiet Solar Chromosphere at 2.6 mm

The absolute brightness temperature of the Sun at millimeter wavelengths is an important diagnostic of the solar chromosphere. Because the Sun is so bright, measurement of this property usually involves the operation of telescopes under extreme conditions and requires a rigorous performance assessment of the telescope. In this study, we establish solar observation and calibration techniques at 2.6 mm wavelength for the Nobeyama 45 m telescope and accurately derive the absolute solar brightness temperature. We tune the superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) receiver by inducing different bias voltages onto the SIS mixer to prevent saturation. Then, we examine the linearity of the receiver system by comparing outputs derived from different tuning conditions. Furthermore, we measure the lunar filled beam efficiency of the telescope using the New Moon, and then derive the absolute brightness temperature of the Sun. The derived solar brightness temperature is \(7700 \pm 310~\mbox{K}\) at 115 GHz. The telescope beam pattern is modeled as a summation of three Gaussian functions and derived using the solar limb. The real shape of the Sun is determined via deconvolution of the beam pattern from the observed map. Such well-calibrated single-dish observations are important for high-resolution chromospheric studies because they provide the absolute temperature scale that is lacking from interferometer observations.     

The coarse structure of the solar atmosphere

Observations of the quiet sun at wavelengths from 3 Å to 75 cm show (with two exceptions: the Ovi line at 1032 Å and possibly the continuum at 1.2 mm) either no limb brightening or less than had been supposed. On the other hand, the brightness temperature is observed to increase with wavelength in the millimeter and centimeter range. If this increase is due to greater visibility of hot overlying material, that material ought to be evident at the limb at shorter wavelengths, resulting in limb brightening. The only possible explanation for the absence of limb brightening at almost all wavelengths is that the emitting surface is rough at all wavelengths, with a scale of roughness approximately equal to the scale height at each temperature. Contradictions with existing models, along with the additional observations required for an improved model are discussed.     

ALMA as the ideal probe of the solar chromosphere

The very nature of the solar chromosphere, its structuring and dynamics, remains far from being properly understood, in spite of intensive research. Here we point out the potential of chromospheric observations at millimeter wavelengths to resolve this long-standing problem. Computations carried out with a sophisticated dynamic model of the solar chromosphere due to Carlsson and Stein demonstrate that millimeter emission is extremely sensitive to dynamic processes in the chromosphere and the appropriate wavelengths to look for dynamic signatures are in the range 0.8–5.0 mm. The model also suggests that high resolution observations at mm wavelengths, as will be provided by ALMA, will have the unique property of reacting to both the hot and the cool gas, and thus will have the potential of distinguishing between rival models of the solar atmosphere. Thus, initial results obtained from the observations of the quiet Sun at 3.5 mm with the BIMA array (resolution of 12″) reveal significant oscillations with amplitudes of 50–150 K and frequencies of 1.5–8 mHz with a tendency toward short-period oscillations in internetwork and longer periods in network regions. However higher spatial resolution, such as that provided by ALMA, is required for a clean separation between the features within the solar atmosphere and for an adequate comparison with the output of the comprehensive dynamic simulations.     

Planetary brightness temperature measurements at 8.6 mm and 3.1 mm wavelengths

New measurements of the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn at 3.1 and 8.6 mm wavelengths are given. The temperatures reported for the planets at 3.1 mm wavelength are higher than previous measurements in this wavelength range and change the interpretation of some planetary spectra. For Mercury, it is found that the mean brightness temperature is independent of wavelength and that a temperature dependent thermal conductivity is not required to match the observations. In the case of Mars, the spectrum is shown to rise in the millimeter region as simple models predict. For Jupiter, the need to recalculate the spectrum with recent models is demonstrated. The flux density scale proposed by Dent (1972) has been revised according to a more accurate determination of the millimeter brightness temperature of Jupiter.     

Microwave solar limb brightening

Previous models of microwave limb brightening have omitted the alignment of spicules along supergranule boundaries, have neglected the high temperature sheath around spicules, and have assumed an interspicular medium which was averaged over chromospheric network and non-network regions. We present a model which includes these factors. By constraining the model to conform to results from earlier UV and optical studies we are effectively left with two free parameters: the temperature at the core of the spicules, T _core, and (at solar minimum), the interspicular chromospheric network density model of the lower transition zone. The absence of limb brightening at the short millimeter wavelengths implies T _core 6000 k. Differences between the model and certain deconvolved observations near 9 mm are expected as a consequence of an extension of emission beyond the optical limb, predicted by the model, which affects the accuracy of the deconvolution technique. Unlike models which assume homogeneous spicules in a random distribution, ours does not require an abnormally high spicule area.     

Observations of the 7 March, 1970 total solar eclipse at wavelengths of 3.2 and 8.3 mm

The 7 March, 1970 total solar eclipse was observed at wavelengths of 3.2 and 8.3 mm; the object being to use the knife edge of the Moon as it passed across the Sun to improve angular resolution on the Sun. This in turn would provide a radial brightness distribution of the Sun with an angular resolution of a few seconds of arc.Excellent eclipse curves were obtained at 3 mm; however, some external interference marred the 8 mm record near totality.The 8 mm brightness distribution is subject to some uncertainty, but tends to show limb brightening. The 3 mm brightness distribution shows a well defined complex limb brightening within about 1 arc min of the optical limb. The maximum brightening is approximately 30% above the average disc temperature.     

Solar Prominence Modelling and Plasma Diagnostics at ALMA Wavelengths

Our aim is to test potential solar prominence plasma diagnostics as obtained with the new solar capability of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). We investigate the thermal and plasma diagnostic potential of ALMA for solar prominences through the computation of brightness temperatures at ALMA wavelengths. The brightness temperature, for a chosen line of sight, is calculated using the densities of electrons, hydrogen, and helium obtained from a radiative transfer code under non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) conditions, as well as the input internal parameters of the prominence model in consideration. Two distinct sets of prominence models were used: isothermal-isobaric fine-structure threads, and large-scale structures with radially increasing temperature distributions representing the prominence-to-corona transition region. We compute brightness temperatures over the range of wavelengths in which ALMA is capable of observing (0.32?–?9.6 mm), however, we particularly focus on the bands available to solar observers in ALMA cycles 4 and 5, namely 2.6?–?3.6 mm (Band 3) and 1.1?–?1.4 mm (Band 6). We show how the computed brightness temperatures and optical thicknesses in our models vary with the plasma parameters (temperature and pressure) and the wavelength of observation. We then study how ALMA observables such as the ratio of brightness temperatures at two frequencies can be used to estimate the optical thickness and the emission measure for isothermal and non-isothermal prominences. From this study we conclude that for both sets of models, ALMA presents a strong thermal diagnostic capability, provided that the interpretation of observations is supported by the use of non-LTE simulation results.     

An Interpretation of the Coronal Holes’ Visibility in the Millimeter Wavelength Range

Various observations indicate that coronal holes generally appear as low brightness temperature regions (LTRs) in the centimeter and millimeter wavelength ranges. However, within their borders local enhancements of radiation, that is, high brightness temperature regions (HTRs), often occur. The theory behind the described behavior is not fully understood and therefore we analyze full-disk solar images obtained at a wavelength of 8 mm at Metsähovi Radio Observatory and compare them with data simultaneously taken in other wavelength ranges. The observational finding that the average brightness temperature of coronal holes is not much different from the quiet-Sun level (with localized deviations toward higher and lower intensities on the order of a few percent) is compared with theoretical models of the thermal bremsstrahlung radiation originating in the solar chromosphere, transition region, and corona. Special attention is devoted to the interpretation of the localized enhancements of radiation observed inside coronal holes at millimeter wavelengths. The main conclusion is that the most important contribution to the brightness temperature comes from an increased density in the transition region and low corona (i.e., at the heights where the temperature is below 10⁶ K). This can explain both the LTRs and HTRs associated with coronal holes.     

Further evidence for a complex limb structure in the solar radial brightness distribution at mm wavelengths

A computer program to convolve numerically any azimuthally symmetric, solar radial brightness distribution with standard antenna patterns of small half power beamwidths has been used to find a solar brightness distribution which is a good fit to the eclipse curve obtained during the 7 March 1970 partial solar eclipse with the NRAO 36-ft antenna at 3.5 mm. This brightness distribution is compared with the brightness distribution at 3.2 mm determined by the Pennsylvania State University Radio Astronomy Observatory group during the same eclipse but observed from Mexico where totality occurred. The two brightness distributions are very similar in shape, showing a double peak near the limb, but differing slightly in the positions of the peaks.     

The Relation Between the Radial Temperature Profile in the Chromosphere and the Solar Spectrum at Centimeter,Millimeter, Submillimeter,and Infrared Wavelengths

Solar observations from millimeter to ultraviolet wavelengths show that there is a temperature minimum between photosphere and chromosphere. Analyses based on semi-empirical models locate this point at about 500 km above the photosphere. The consistency of these models has been tested by means of millimeter to infrared observations. We show that variations of the theoretical radial temperature profile near the temperature minimum impact the brightness temperature at centimeter, submillimeter, and infrared wavelengths, but the millimeter wavelength emission remains unchanged. We found a region between 500 and 1000 km above the photosphere that remains hidden to observations at the frequencies that we studied here.     

Solar active regions at millimeter wavelengths

Some properties of solar active regions at 9, 3.5 and 1.2 mm wavelengths are discussed. The regions have excess brightness temperatures of up to 1000, 700 and 150 K at 9, 3.5 and 1.2 mm wavelengths. The background radiation at 3.5 mm is often seen to be absorbed in regions closely coincident with H dark filaments on the disk. Interpretation of this absorption as due to the large optical thickness of the overlying filamentary material leads to an estimate of electron density in the filaments. The 9 and 3.5 mm- regions show almost one-to-one correspondence with the Ca-plage regions as well as with the regions on magnetograms. The latter relationship suggests the possibility of measuring chromospheric magnetic fields from the measurement of polarization at millimeter wavelengths.     

Measurements of the Quiet-Sun Level Brightness Temperature at 8 mm

Defining the solar brightness temperature accurately at millimeter wavelengths has always been challenging. One of the main reasons has been the lack of a proper calibration source. New Moon was used earlier as a calibration source. We carried out a new extensive set of observations at 8 mm using the New Moon for calibration. The solar and Moon observations were made using the 14-meter radiotelescope operated by the Aalto University Metsähovi Radio Observatory in Finland. In this article, we present our method for defining the brightness temperature of the quiet-Sun level (QSL). Based on these observations, we found \(8100~\mbox{K} \pm 300~\mbox{K}\) to be the mean value for the QSL temperature. This value is between the values that were reported in earlier studies.     

Thermal cyclotron radiation from hot coronal loops and peculiarities of the polarization structure of solar microwave emission sources: I. Brightness temperature

We discuss the possible contribution of the thermal cyclotron radiation from hot coronal magnetic loops to the observed characteristics of the microwave emission from solar active regions. Based on the simplest three-dimensional model of a loop in the shape of a hot torus, we have calculated the expected peculiarities of the frequency and polarization structures of microwave emission sources associated with sunspots and containing coronal loops. Our model calculations of the two-dimensional brightness temperature distributions at various wavelengths for the ordinary and extraordinary modes and the wavelength dependences of the brightness temperatures are presented in the first part of the work. The loop size, the electron density, and the source position on the disk have been found to affect these characteristics. Our numerical calculations of the brightness temperature distributions and spectra have confirmed the well-known assumption that under certain conditions the spectrum of a hot filament can contain cyclotron lines and the sense of the polarization can change over the range. The results obtained here refer to the brightness temperature along the line of sight that crosses the photosphere at a point with given coordinates, i.e., these are the emission characteristics at a fixed point of the source. Integrated characteristics (the flux from the entire source and its polarization) and a discussion of the hot loop model will be given in the second part of the work.     

The 1-mm brightness temperature of titan

Titan has been observed with the 5-m Hale telescope at an effective wavelength of 1 mm. Adopting a value of 2700 km for the radius of Titan, we find a brightness temperature of 86±12°K at 1 mm. Comparing our results with previous measurements at longer wavelengths, we conclude that the satellite surface is the source of the 1-mm radiation. Since our measured brightness temperature is close to the equilibrium temperature of a blackbody at the distance of Saturn, we believe there is no significant greenhouse effect on Titan.     

Radio observation of the solar eclipse of May 20, 1966

The eclipse of May 20, 1966 was observed at the wavelengths of 3.2 and 9.1 cm by three Arcetri expeditions. The curves obtained by deriving the occultation curves have been filtered by digital techniques to cut off high frequency noise; by them, many characteristics of three sources of the S-component present on the disk have been studied: temperature, dimensions, emitted flux and brightness distribution. Isophotes of the latter are compared with isophotes of the corresponding H plages for two sources: a close similarity results for one of them. Moreover it is shown that: (a) the height above the photosphere of the sources at = 9.1 cm is greater than that of the sources at = 3.2 cm; (b) the maximum of the radio emission is not always placed exactly above a sunspot or above the sunspot group barycentre.Fitting the observed brightness temperatures, as frequency functions, by a power law and using a temperature model of an active region, the electron density distribution can be deduced. The obtained electron density distributions are compared with various models of active regions.     

Determination and analysis of coronal hole radio spectra

Solar radio maps obtained by our group and others over a wide wavelength range (millimeter to meter) and over a considerable time span (1973–1978) have allowed us to compute the radio spectrum of an average coronal hole, i.e., the brightness temperature inside a coronal hole normalized by the brightness temperature of the quiet Sun outside the coronal hole measured at several different radio wavelengths. This radio spectrum can be used to obtain the changes of the quiet Sun atmosphere inside coronal holes and also as an additional check for coronal hole profiles obtained by other methods. Using a standard solar atmosphere and a computer program which included ray tracing, we have tried to reproduce the observed radio spectrum by computing brightness temperatures at many different wavelengths for a long series of modifications in the electron density, neutral particle density and temperature profiles of the standard solar atmosphere. This analysis indicates that inside an average coronal hole the following changes occur: the upper chromosphere expands by about 20% and its electron density and temperature decrease by about 10%. The transition zone experiences the largest change, expanding by a factor of about 6, its electron density decreases by a similar factor, and its temperature decreases by about 50%. Finally in the corona the electron density decreases by about 20% and the temperature by about 15%.     

Interpretation of the solar continuum from 1680 to 600 Å. Model of the transition region photosphere-chromosphere and of the chromosphere

An interpretation is given of the observations of the continuous solar radiation in the spectral range 600–1700 Å. The model allows for deviations from LTE of H, C, Si and S, and is in hydrostatic equilibrium. The predicted intensity from 1680 to 1520 Å has virtually no dependence on the electron temperature variation in the optical depth range 10^–3–4 × 10^–5, at 5000 Å; the brightness temperature is compatible with a low electronic temperature minimum near the optical depth 10^–4. The model of the low chromosphere is characterized by a steep temperature gradient. The model satisfies observations at millimeter wavelengths.