A summary of major activities of the UNH and NRL groups

The major activities of the SMM GRS team members at the University of New Hampshire and the Naval Research Laboratory since the last semi-annual report are summarized. An updated list of published papers and invited papers or contributed papers presented at scientific meetings is provided

The gamma-ray spectrometer experiment on the solar maximum mission satellite

The major activities summarized include: Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) instrument response and flight operation; solar flare studies; cosmic gamma-ray studies; summary of computer operations; search for flare-precursor protons; diffuse galactic annihilation radiation; cosmic ray bursts; atmospheric gamma ray spectrum; gamma ray line emission from supernovae and novae; improved angular resolutions using Earth occultation; and production processing of NASA IPD data. In addition, an updated list of published papers and invited papers or contributed papers presented at scientific meetings is provided

Investigation of Energy Levels in Foil Excited Atomic Beams Semiannual Status Report, 1 Feb. - 31 Jul. 1966

Relative population and mean lifetimes of levels in hydrogen and helium atomic beams using foil method of excitatio

The Gamma-Ray Spectrometer Experiment on the Solar Maximum Mission Satellite

Observations by the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) are examined. This detector system is sensitive to high-energy X-rays, gamma-rays, and energetic neutrons. These neutral quanta provide a probe of the highest energy processes in a flare. The GRS has recorded over 150 flares since launch. In addition to the solar discoveries, the SMM GRS has made important discoveries about cosmic gamma-ray sources. These discoveries are summarized

Data analysis support for UNH gamma ray detector on OSO-7

The data is reviewed from the gamma ray experiment on OSO-7. Analysis of the data, and information on the data processing are described

Gamma ray production in paraffin by cosmic rays

Gamma ray production in paraffin by cosmic ray

Solar gamma ray monitor for OSO-H (0.3-10 MeV)

A gamma ray experiment to be flown aboard the OSO-7 spacecraft is described along with a history of the development of the experiment, a description of the gamma ray detector and its operation, and a short preliminary review of the scientific information obtained during the instruments' lifetime. The gamma ray detector operated an average of 18 hours a day for approximately 15 months. The majority of the data was collected in the solar and antisolar direction, but data at right angles to the spacecraft-sun line was also accumulated. In all, at least two full scans of the celestial sphere were completed

SMM detection of interstellar Al-26 gamma radiation

The gamma ray spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission Satellite has detected the interstellar Al-26 line when the Galactic center traversed its aperture. The center of the emission is consistent with the location of the Galactic center, but the spatial distribution is presently not well defined. The total flux in the direction of the Galactic center is 4.3 + or - 0.4) x .0001 gamma/sq cm-s-rad for an assumed population I distribution

Mercury 2000: Stereoscopic Observations of Gamma Ray Flares

Stereoscopic observations of gamma ray radiation from solar flares would provide further scientific impetus to recent proposals for a planetary observer mission to Mercury in the late 1990's. The solar monitoring phase of this mission could continue through the period of maximum flare activity in the years 2002-2006 with a dawn-dusk polar orbit which would allow continuous solar visibility and minimize solar tracking requirements. Simultaneous measurements of flare radiation from gamma ray instruments with comparable solar flux sensitivity in orbits around Mercury and Earth would provide stereoscopic information on directivity and altitude location in the solar atmosphere of the flare radiation sources and might significantly advance understanding of energy release and particle acceleration processes in solar flares. The closer proximity of Mercury to the Sun would allow use of a much smaller gamma ray spectrometer system than required at 1 A.U. and would also provide the first opportunity for direct detection of solar neutrons at energies of 1-10 MeV. The Mercury orbiter would also be capable of monitoring 1-500 MeV solar protons to search for decay protons from solar neutron flares and to provide automatic early warning of large proton flares which would be a hazard to manned space operations near Earth and beyond