The solar hydrogen Lyman α to Lyman β line ratio
Vial, J. -C.; Curdt, W.; Schühle, U.; Lemaire, P.; Woods, T. N.
France, Germany, United States
Abstract
Aims: We investigate the variation in the solar hydrogen Lyman α (Lyα) to Lyman β (Lyβ) line ratio as a function of the solar activity by taking into account new results obtained by SoHO/SUMER and TIMED/SEE.
Methods: We reanalyze data of quiet and active regions previously collected with the LPSP multichannel instrument on OSO8. We then re-examine data obtained on the solar disk with SUMER and compare them with previous data. In a second step, we use the full Sun H i Lyβ profiles to determine the Lyβ contribution to the SEE profiles obtained with a 0.4 nm full width at half-maximum. The variation in the Lyα to Lyβ line ratio is then measured for part of the solar cycle 23 (2002-2008).
Results: We determine the radiance line ratio of the solar H i Lyα to Lyβ line for a quiet Sun area and the relation between the ratio of the Lyα to Lyβ irradiance and the Lyα solar irradiance.