High Energy Solar Physics from Lunar-Based Observatories
Abstract
High-energy and optical solar observations from large telescopes will greatly improve our understanding of the physical processes responsible for particle acceleration in the Sun and in other astrophysical sources. In addition, such observations will allow us to identify the conditions preceding solar eruptive events that are potentially hazardous to astronauts and equipment on the Moon and on interplanetary flights, and to power transmission and communications on the Earth. The moon provides an exceptionally large and stable platform on which to position instruments that can be used to observe the Sun (and other astrophysical sources) at photon energies from < 1 keV to > 100 MeV. Uninterrupted measurements over extended periods of time (1/2 lunar day or 14 days, which is also the duration of the East-West passage of an active region on the Sun) would be possible, and the gradual rotation rate of the Moon also allows horizon occultation measurements (at a drift rate ~ 0.5 arc seconds/second) to be made.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AGUFMSM52A..05E
- Keywords:
-
- 7514 Energetic particles (2114);
- 7519 Flares;
- 7554 X-rays;
- gamma rays;
- and neutrinos;
- 7594 Instruments and techniques