SOLAR X-RAY OBSERVATIONS BY INJUN I,

Abstract

On the basis of 36 random observations of the sun during July-August 1961 with a thin mica window Geiger tube on satellite Injun I, it is found that: (a) The 'quiet day' solar x-ray flux at a A.U. in the wave length range lambda < 14 A is about 1 x 0.001 ergs (sq. cm sec) to the minus 1 power a value which is approximately independent of the assumed black body temperature of the emitting areas of the sun over the temperature range 0.8 to 8 x 1,000,000K. (b) There is clear enhancement of such x-ray flux during visual solar flares--by a factor of about 4 during 1 or 1+ flares and by a factor of about 40 during a 3+ flare. The highest flux in the region lambda < 14 A is 0.04 ergs (sq. cm sec) to the minus 1 power during a 3+ flare on July 20, 1961. The corresponding total flux for an assumed black body temperature of 2 x 1,000,000K is 0.2 ergs (sq. cm sec) to the minus 1 power. (c) The time required for the solar x-ray emission to return to quiescent values after a flare of importance 1 is 1 to 2 hours. For more important flares the time is greater. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0603427

Entities

People

  • B. Maehlum
  • J. A. Van Allen
  • L. A. Frank

Organizations

  • Iowa State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Body Temperature
  • Emission
  • Observation
  • Solar Flares
  • Solar X Rays
  • Sun
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Solar Physics

Technology Areas

  • Space