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Coronal structure and prominence characteristics relative to instabilities in the solar atmosphere. Master's thesis

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5773797
An analysis of Lambda 5303 coronal filtergrams obtained from Sacramento Peak Observatory and an analysis of prominence lifetimes obtained from Fraunhofer Institute Maps and H-alpha patrol film were completed. A statistical survey of the filtergrams shows that the presence of the Lambda 5303 corona on the east limb indicates chromospheric Active Regions (AR's) coming within the earth's field of view. Comparison of the coronal features and chromospheric activity suggests a possible relationship between the definition and heights of the Lambda 5303 coronal structures and flares. Configurations and definition of the coronal magnetic fields inferred from Lambda 5303 and Mount Wilson photospheric magnetograms imply that stressed fields possibly exist in some coronal loop systems associated with the AR's. The sharper definition of some of the loops may be the result of a current-produced azimuthal field around the flux tube which confines the plasma and thus increases the density of the emitting material. A statistical study of prominence lifetimes shows that the ratio of the prominence angle from the local meridian to its length may be related to the lifetime of the prominence before eruption.
Research Organization:
Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5773797
Report Number(s):
AD-A-065366
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English