The Many Faces of the Sun: A Summary of the Results from NASA's Solar Maximum Mission

Front Cover
Keith T. Strong
Springer, 1999 - Science - 610 pages
1. The Solar Maximum Mission.- 1.1 The Origins of the Mission.- 1.2 Scientific Objectives of the Mission.- 1.3 The SMM Instrument Package.- 1.3.1 The ?-Ray Spectrometer (GRS).- 1.3.2 The Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer (HXRBS).- 1.3.3 The Hard X-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (HXIS).- 1.3.4 The Bent Crystal Spectrometer (BCS).- 1.3.5 The Flat Crystal Spectrometer (FCS).- 1.3.6 The Ultraviolet Spectrometer/Polarimeter (UVSP).- 1.3.7 The Coronagraph/Polarimeter (C/P).- 1.3.8 The Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor (ACRIM).- 1.4 Scientific Discoveries.- 1.5 Concluding Remarks.- 2. Solar Irradiance Variations.- 2.1 Development of Solar Irradiance Monitors.- 2.1.1 Early Space-Based Solar Observations.- 2.1.2 Sounding-Rocket Experiments.- 2.1.3 Nimbus-7 ERB Experiment.- 2.1.4 The SMM ACRIM Experiment.- 2.1.5 ACRIM I Results During Solar Cycles 21 and 22.- 2.1.5.1 Variability on Solar Cycle Timescales.- 2.1.6 Level of Significance of the Long-Term Data Base.- 2.1.7 Variability on Solar Active-Region Timescales.- 2.1.7.1 The "Sunspot Deficit" Effect.- 2.1.7.2 Facular "Excess" Effect.- 2.1.7.3 Energy Balance in Active Regions.- 2.1.8 Short-Term Variability: Global Oscillations.- 2.2 Models of the Solar-Cycle TSI Variation.- 2.2.1 Active-Region Timescales.- 2.2.2 Solar-Cycle Timescales.- 2.2.3 Shortcomings of Linear Regression Models.- 2.2.4 Multivariate Spectral Analysis.- 2.3 ACRIM I and Succeeding Observations.- 2.3.1 Solar Monitoring by ERBE Experiments.- 2.3.2 ACRIM II on UARS.- 2.3.3 Measurement Strategy for the Climate TSI Data Base.- 2.4 The Long-Term Climate TSI Data Base.- 2.4.1 ACRIM II Relationship to ACRIM I, ERB and ERBS.- 2.4.2 Sustaining the TSI Database.- 2.4.3 Future Total Solar Irradiance Monitoring.- 3. Active Regions.- 3.1 Magnetic Field Strength and Structure.- 3.1.1 Results Prior to SMM.- 3.1.2 First Results with SMM.- 3.1.3 Subsequent Results: 1983-1987.- 3.1.4 The Coronal Magnetic Structures Observing Campaign.- 3.1.5 Coronal Magnetic Field Studies after SMM.- 3.2 Dynamics and Heating of the Solar Corona.- 3.2.1 FCS Line-Broadening Measurements.- 3.2.1.1 Large Nonthermal Velocities.- 3.2.1.2 Spatial Variations.- 3.2.1.3 Correlation Studies.- 3.2.2 FCS Line-Broadening Data.- 3.2.3 Interpreting the FCS Line Broadening.- 3.2.3.1 Constraints on Mass Motions.- 3.2.3.2 Link to Heating.- 3.2.3.3 Discussion.- 3.2.4 Coronal Heating, Magnetic Fields, and Flares.- 3.2.4.1 UVSP Observations of Active Regions.- 3.3 Transition Region Brightenings: UV Microflares.- 3.4 Sunspots.- 3.4.1 Magnetic Field and Height of the Transition Region.- 3.4.2 Sunspot Plumes.- 3.4.3 Sunspot Flows.- 3.4.3.1 Horizontal Flows.- 3.4.3.2 Vertical Flows.- 3.4.3.3 Nonthermal Line Broadening.- 3.4.3.4 Umbral Oscillations.- 3.4.3.5 A Look Backward, a Look Forward.- 3.5 Prominences and Filaments.- 3.5.1 Prominence Environment and Structure.- 3.5.2 Steady Flows in Prominence Material.- 3.5.3 Activity in Prominences.- 3.5.4 Postflare Loops and Surges.- 3.5.5 Conclusion.- 4. Coronal Abundances.- 4.1 Flare X-Ray Measurements from BCS.- 4.1.1 Calcium Abundance.- 4.1.2 Fe/H and Fe/Ca Abundance.- 4.1.3 Relative Abundances of Ar, Ca, and Fe in Flares.- 4.1.4 Factors Affecting Abundance Determinations from X-Ray Spectra.- 4.2 FCS Abundances.- 4.2.1 FCS Active-Region Abundances.- 4.2.1.1 Abundance Variability in Active Regions.- 4.2.1.2 Impact of Resonance Scattering.- 4.2.1.3 Assessment of FCS Active-Region Abundance Results.- 4.2.2 FCS Flare Abundance Studies.- 4.2.2.1 Coronal Cl/S and Ar/S Measurements.- 4.2.2.2 DEM Studies of Flare Abundances.- 4.3 Determination of Solar Abundances by Solar Flare ?-Ray Spectrometry.- 4.3.1 ?-Ray Spectral Analysis.- 4.3.2 ?-Ray Results.- 4.4 Solar Energetic Particles.- 4.4.1 Major Proton Events.- 4.4.2 CIR Events from Coronal Holes.- 4.4.3 Impulsive Flare Events.- 4.5 Theory of Abundance Fractionation.- 4.5.1 Gravitational Settling.- 4.5.2 Pressure Gradient and Stationary Diffusion.- 4.5.3 Ion-Neutral Separation Due to Curr...

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Contents

The Solar Maximum Mission
1
Chapter
13
Solar Irradiance Variations
19
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