Solar Maximum Mission X-ray Polychromator: Solar Images and Spectra

The Solar Maximum Mission X-ray Polychromator (XRP) collected approximately 100 GB of solar X-ray data between 1980 and 1989. The data consist of photon counting rates in the 1.4-22.5 Å band, processed into images and spectra by two instruments: the Bent Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) and Flat Crystal Spectrometer (FCS). The processed data, software, and documentation are held at the Solar Data Analysis Center (SDAC) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Use Cases

• Diagnose plasma temperatures and densities based on individual X-ray emission line measurements.
• Map flares and active regions spatially based on FCS resonance line imaging with 14 arc sec resolution.
• Analyze flare evolution with high time resolution based on BCS spectra gathered every 11 seconds.
• Study non-equilibrium states of flares based on spectral data designed for such diagnostics.
• Generate light curves of solar events based on FCS 'sit-and-stare' mode data with 0.25 s resolution.

Strengths

• Approximately 100 GB of data returned during the mission.
• Data from two complementary instruments: BCS for high time resolution spectra and FCS for spatial mapping.
• Includes a comprehensive collection of flare data, software source code, and user documentation.

Limitations

• Last updated 1989-11-17 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) X-ray Polychromator, processed at Solar Data Analysis Center (SDAC), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Collection Method

Data collected by satellite instruments (BCS and FCS) and processed through several stages.

Time Range

Operational during the Solar Maximum Mission (1980-1989).