SOLAR FILAMENT STRUCTURE
Abstract
A survey was made of the Lockheed solar patrol films in search of any parameters which could possible be linked with the occurrence of flares. High resolution observations (< or = 1 sec of arc) show that some filaments increase in darkness and become more sharply defined within several hours to several days before the onset of a flare. However, if obtained only in the center of H- alpha, high resolution observations do not allow one to predict the onset times of flares any better than with observations of lower resolution. For flare prediction the utility of high resolution observations in the center of H-alpha is in enabling one to locate the positions of polarity change around which flares occur in an active center. Complex plage system were defined as a combination of two adjacent plages or the growth of new plage in the midst of older plage. It is shown that such complex systems rarely fail to produce at least one major flare. The frequency of flaring in a complex system, however, does not appear to be statistically greater than for plages which are not complex according to the above definition. A few examples of preflare changes in fibrils were analyzed. These changes are thought to be related to short period, preflare changes in filaments because of their similarity in time of occurrence, position with respect to the ensuing flares, and general outward motion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0646849
Entities
People
- Harry E. Ramsey
- Sara F. Smith
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin