On some flare-sensitive high photospheric and low chromospheric lines

During a stay at the Kitt Peak National Observatory the writer has tried to find an influence of flare radiation on the high photospheric and low chromospheric lines of the area occupied by the flare. Observations have been made in the H region and in the region of the H and K lines. When flare emission is present in sunspots some of the faint (molecular) lines seem to be weakened. When a flare appears near the solar limb some of the Evershed-type (chromospheric) lines are strongly influenced.Kitt Peak National Observatory Contribution No. 481.Visiting Astronomer to the Solar Division, Kitt Peak National Observatory, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Magnetic fields in small and young sunspots

Preliminary results of magnetic field measurements in small sunspots from spectrograms obtained with the aid of the McMath Solar Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory are presented. The measured intensities are greater than or equal to about 1200 Gauss. Furthermore, a broadening of the Fei line 6302.508 Å was found in some places of intergranular space. The importance of intergranular space as a possible potential earliest stage of sunspot development is mentioned.Kitt Peak National Observatory, Contribution No. 222.Visiting Astronomer, 1964, Kitt Peak National Observatory.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the Nat. Science Foundation.     

Comparison of Solar Magnetic Fields Measured at Different Observatories: Peculiar Strength Ratio Distributions Across the Disk

In this paper we analyze the distribution of magnetic strength ratios (MSR) across the solar disk using magnetograms in different spectral lines from the same observatory (Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) and Sayan Observatory (SO)), magnetograms in the same line from different observatories (MWO, SO, Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO)), and in different spectral lines from different observatories (the three observatories mentioned above, the National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak (KP) and Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on board Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO)). We find peculiarities in some combinations of data sets. Besides the expected MSR center-to-limb variations, there is an equator-to-pole asymmetry, especially in the near-limb areas. Therefore, it is generally necessary to use 2D matrices of correction coefficients to reduce one kind of observation into another one.     

Properties of the magnetic fields of coronal holes with active regions

We determine the structure of the magnetic fields of coronal holes (CHs) and investigate its change in connection with the emergence of active regions (ARs) in CHs. Based on our observations in the HeI 1083 nm line performed with the CrAO TST-2 telescope, we have selected CHs of two types: without (15 CHs) and with (28 CHs) ARs. Magnetograms obtained at the Kitt Peak National Solar Observatory have been used to calculate the magnetic fields of the same objects.     

Oscillations of a loop prominence preceding a limb flare

Observations of a limb flare and an associated loop prominence were obtained in H with the 512 channel magnetograph of the Kitt Peak National Observatory. Simultaneous radial and torsional oscillations with a period near 75 s, wavelength of 37 000 km, and amplitude of 1–2 km s^–1 were detected in the loop approximately 90 min before the onset of the flare. We interpret these coupled oscillations in terms of a kink instability of a current carrying flux tube. The magnitude of the steady-state component of current is estimated to be 6 × 10¹⁰ ampères.Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory, operated by Aura, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.Visiting Student, Kitt Peak National Observatory.     

The evolution of isolated active regions

The decay of several active regions which emerged early in cycle 22 has been studied using daily magnetograms and synoptic plots obtained at the Vacuum Telescope at the National Solar Observatory, Kitt Peak. The observed patterns are compared with simulations using the flux transport equation and some discrepancies are noted. For one region it is shown that, by including the emergence of a non-random pattern of small magnetic bipoles during the decay, the correspondence between the observed and simulated patterns may be improved.     

Spectrophotometry of Jupiter

Spectrophotometric maps of Jupiter were made between 24 and 27(UT) November 1974 on the McMath Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. We report a comparison between observed scaled reflectivities of the Jovian North Tropical Zone and the North Equatorial Belt at System II longitudes between 195 and 205 degrees. The belt/zone reflectivity ratios between 430 and 740nm are related to the optical transmission curves of the organic and/or sulfur polymers synthesized by Khare and Sagan in a simulated Jovian atmosphere.     

The time behavior of temperature and emission measure in X-ray flares

X-ray observations from Vela-5 spacecraft of five flares occurring in November and December 1969 were leduced to temperatures and emission measures as a function of time. This reduction was done assuming a thermal spectrum including free-free and free-bound emission. A phenomenological model is proposed to explain the nature of the time behavior of the temperature and emission measure.Solar Division, Kitt Peak National Observatory, P. O. Box 4130, Tucson, Arizona 85717.Major USAF, AFWL/SAY, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico.     

Height stratification of solar magnetic fields in cycle 23

The radial component Br of magnetic field was calculated in the potential approximation and the synoptic maps of Br for several heights in the Solar atmosphere were constructed based on observations of the photospheric magnetic field made on the old magnetograph at the US Kitt Peak National Observatory and on the new SOLIS magnetograph at the US National Solar Observatory for cycle 23 (the years 1997–2009). Parameters of large-scale structures of magnetic field with positive and negative polarities were determined at seven heights in the Sun’s atmosphere—from the photosphere (H = Ro) to H = 2.5 Ro (Ro is the Solar radius). The processes of polar reversal for polar fields and changing of the sector structure of the field at middle latitudes were observed. Characteristic lifespans and rotations were ascertained. The general picture of variations of the large-scale solar magnetic field during cycle 23 was put forward. Two types of boundaries of large magnetic structures at various heights were identified.     

Characteristics of the Ca ii K-line profiles in the quiet Sun

Feature-to-feature identification is made on simultaneous Ca ii K-line spectrograms (SG) and K_2v spectroheliograms (SHG). The line profiles in plages and in the network boundary nearly always have double-peaked reversal in the core, while those inside the cells present all possibilities: double-peaked, single-peaked on violet side, single-peaked on red side, and unreversed absorption. Statistics of the profiles in the quiet chromosphere show that 50% are K₂₃₂ double-peaked, 20% are K_2v single-peaked, 10% are K_2r single-peaked, and 20% show only incipient reversal or even totally lack any reversal. We call attention to the nontrivial contribution of these absorption profiles which are formed in dark regions shown on SHG's.The physical conditions inferred from different kinds of profiles are briefly discussed.In part to be included in a dissertation to be submitted to the Graduate School, University of Maryland, by S. Y. Liu in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph. D. degree in Astronomy.Visiting Graduate Student, Solar Division, Kitt Peak National Observatory.Visiting Astronomer, Solar Division, Kitt Peak National Observatory.     

The diatomic molecules BH,BN, and BO in sunspots and the solar abundance of boron

Absorption band spectra of BH and BO have been searched for and not found in spectra of sunspots.Electronic oscillator strengths are available only for the A ¹ -X ^{1 +} system of the BH molecule. The absence of the (0,0) band of BH at 4332 Å reflects a solar abundance of boron logA _B<2.5.The band spectra of BN are several orders of magnitude weaker in sunspots than those of BH and BO.Kitt Peak National Observatory Contribution No. 488.Visiting Astronomer, Solar Division, Kitt Peak National Observatory - Operated by The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

The NASA/NSO Spectromagnetograph

The NASA/NSO Spectromagnetograph is a new focal plane instrument for the National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak Vacuum Telescope which features real-time digital analysis of long-slit spectra formed on a two-dimensional CCD detector. The instrument is placed at an exit port of a Littrow spectrograph and uses an existing modulator of circular polarization. The new instrument replaces the 512-channel Diode Array Magnetograph first used in 1973. Commercial video processing boards are used to digitize the spectral images at video rates and to separate, accumulate, and buffer the spectra in the two polarization states. An attached processor removes fixed-pattern bias and gain from the spectra in cadence with spatial scanning of the image across the entrance slit. The data control computer performs position and width analysis of the line profiles as they are acquired and records line-of-sight magnetic field, Doppler shift, and other computed parameters. The observer controls the instrument through windowed processes on a data control console using a keyboard and mouse. Early observations made with the spectromagnetograph are presented and plans for future development are discussed.The National Solar Observatory is a Division of the National Optical Astronomy Observatories which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

Observations of the center-to-limb variation of the solar brightness in the far infrared (10 to 25 microns)

Existing models of the solar atmosphere predict a limb brightening in the far infrared wavelengths. At shorter wavelengths this effect is confined to the extreme limb but at 25 it extends inward from the limb to cos = 0.3. Observations of I()/I(1.0) were made with the McMath Solar Telescope through atmospheric windows at 10.4, 17.9, 20.4, and 24.2 microns, respectively. The measurements, after having been smoothed, are compared with the theoretical predictions taking into account the diffraction pattern of the telescope. The expected brightening does not appear.Kitt Peak National Observatory Contribution No. 260. - Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.Presently at Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, Ariz., U.S.A.     

Ephemeral active regions during solar minimum

Ephemeral active regions (ER) identified on Kitt Peak daily full-disk magnetograms from April through November 1975 were analyzed and compared with larger active regions during the same interval. The 1975 ER were also compared with ER data from 1970, 1973, 1976, and 1977. ER were found to vary approximately with the sunspot cycle. However, a minimum in the number of ER occurred at least one year prior to sunspot minimum. All evidence to date indicates that the early ER minimum was due to the rise of solar cycle 21 primarily in the form of ER. ER were statistically identified as belonging to both outgoing solar cycle 20 and incoming cycle 21 by maxima in their distribution in latitude and by their statistically dominant orientation as a function of latitude. From the identification of ER with specific solar cycles and the persistent presence of high latitude ER maxima since 1970, it is suggested that the outgoing and incoming solar cycles may co-exist on the sun longer than the 0–3 year period of overlap between successive cycles already known from the properties of large sunspot-producing active regions.Presently associated with Solar Physics Research Corporation, Tucson, Arizona and Visiting Astronomer at Kitt Peak National Observatory, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Identification of CrH and CrD Molecular Lines in the Sunspot Umbral Spectrum

High-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer sunspot umbral spectra obtained at the National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak were used to identify molecular rotational lines arising from the infrared band systems of CrH and CrD molecules. Measurement of the equivalent width used the Gaussian-profile approximation method, which is suitable especially for faint lines. Equivalent widths are measured for an adequate number of best lines of the A – X (0,0) band of CrH and the A – X (0,0;1,0) bands of CrD and, thereby, the effective rotational temperatures are estimated.     

Line strengths for yellow supergiants and cepheids

Line strengths are presented for 15 yellow supergiants and 6 Cepheids. These line strengths are compared with those obtained previously by other investigators. Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Multi-channel magnetograph observations

A new technique for displaying magnetograph observations is presented and applied to the 12-channel magnetograph at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Using the data from a raster scan, a digital spectroheliogram is constructed on the face of a cathode ray tube and photographed. This enables one to recognize patterns in magnetograph data as easily as with conventional photographs. Comparisons with simultaneous spectroheliograms show no qualitative differences and indicate that the magnetograph is quite capable of studying morphology of individual solar features.Kitt Peak National Observatory Contribution No. 499.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Helium 10830 Å measurements of the Sun

Measurements of the Sun in the near-infrared He i 10830 Å absorption line were performed using the echelle spectrograph with a dispersion of 6.71 mÅ per pixel at the Vacuum Tower Telescope (German Solar Telescopes, Teide Observatory, Izaña, Tenerife, Spain) on May 26, 1993. These measurements were compared with full-disc soft X-ray images of the Sun (Japanese solar satellite Yohkoh), full-disc solar images in H (Big Bear Solar Observatory), full-disc solar images in the He i 10830 Å line (National Solar Observatory, Kitt Peak) and with full-disc microwave solar maps at 37 GHz (Metsähovi Radio Research Station). In the He 10830 Å line the Sun displays a limb darkening similar to that in the visible part of the spectrum. Active regions and H filaments show a strong absorption in the He 10830 Å line, whereas the absorption is weak in coronal holes.     

Remark on rotational motions in flares and prominences

From material secured with the McMath Solar Telescope of the Kitt Peak National Observatory rotational (orbital) motion has been found in a prominence ejected from a rotating flare. A period of rotation of 32 min has been derived from the study of a periodic asymmetry of the AL i 3961 absorption line.Presented at the Physics of Prominences-colloquium at Anacapri, September 29, 1971.     

Absolute spectroscopic determination of solar rotation

We have made absolute measurements at Kitt Peak of the dependence of solar rotation rate upon latitude during the period 17–20 June 1977. We observed the solar potassium line at 7699 Å using an atomic-beam resonance scattering apparatus. The measured sidereal equatorial rotation rate is 13.5±0.5 deg day^–1. Our results are in agreement with those of Howard and Harvey from 1966–68. We intend to use this technique in a long-term program at Oberlin to monitor the equatorial rotation rate.Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.