Unified theory of the interplanetary magnetic field

A simple model is used to present a unified picture of the polarity pattern of the interplanetary magnetic field observed during the solar cycle. Emphasis in this paper is on the field near solar maximum. The heliographic latitude dependence of the dominant polarity of the interplanetary magnetic field is explained in terms of weak poloidal (dipolar) field sources in the sun's photosphere. Unlike the Babcock theory, the author hypothesizes that the dipolar field exists at equatorial latitudes (0–20°), too, (as well as in polar regions) and that the major source of the interplanetary magnetic field observed near the ecliptic plane is the dipolar field from equatorial latitudes. The polarity of the interplanetary field data taken in 1968 and in the first half of 1969 near solar maximum may possibly be explained in terms of a depression of the dipolar field boundary in space. The effect on the solar wind of the greater activity in the northern hemisphere of the sun that existed in 1968 and in the first half of 1969 is believed responsible for this hypothesized depression, especially near solar maximum, of the plane separating the + and - dipolar polarity below the solar equatorial plane in space. Predictions are made concerning the interplanetary field to be observed near the ecliptic plane in each portion of the next solar cycle.     

A high resolution study in time,position, intensity,and frequency of the radio event of January 14, 1971

A high resolution study in time, frequency, position, and intensity was made at 169 MHz and neighbouring frequencies of the solar radio event of 1971, January 14, 11^h 20^m–30^m UT. The event consisted of two closely resembling groups of type III bursts and type II like details.Before, during, and after the outburst a stationary type IV continuum was seen, with small amplitude pulsating structure. The size of the pulsating structure (which was located inside the continuum) was considerably smaller than the continuum size, and in agreement with an explanation by fluctuating magnetic inhomogeneities inside the continuum source.The continuum moved outward after each outburst at a high speed (2–4000 km s^–1). After the second event the continuum source returned inward slowly ( 450 km s^–1). The outward motion is discussed. It can be explained by a combination of the impact of a fast magnetohydrodynamic shock and the injection of highly energetic particles during the event, the required number being also necessary to account for the observed radio flux. The slow returning motion can be related to mhd restoring of the magnetic field configuration.     

The Solar Optical Telescope for the Hinode Mission: An Overview

The Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) aboard the Hinode satellite (formerly called Solar-B) consists of the Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA) and the Focal Plane Package (FPP). The OTA is a 50-cm diffraction-limited Gregorian telescope, and the FPP includes the narrowband filtergraph (NFI) and the broadband filtergraph (BFI), plus the Stokes Spectro-Polarimeter (SP). The SOT provides unprecedented high-resolution photometric and vector magnetic images of the photosphere and chromosphere with a very stable point spread function and is equipped with an image-stabilization system with performance better than 0.01 arcsec rms. Together with the other two instruments on Hinode (the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS)), the SOT is poised to address many fundamental questions about solar magnetohydrodynamics. This paper provides an overview; the details of the instrument are presented in a series of companion papers. M. Otsubo is a former NAOJ staff scientist.     

Contents of Volume 66

Volume Contents

Contents of Volume 65     

Narrative analysis as a strategy for understanding interview talk in geographic research

Narrative analysis produces strategies to inform the conduct, interpretation and presentation of interview talk, and encourages and enables researchers to take account of research participants' own evaluations. We suggest this to be a useful method for geographers because it focuses on how people talk about and evaluate places, experiences and situations, as well as what they say. With an example from health geography, we show how it allows for interactive texts, thus providing a tool for geographers doing qualitative research to connect intimate details of experience to broader social and spatial relations.