SOLRAD: Solar X-ray and Ultraviolet Flux Data from 1960 to 1973

The SOLRAD series 1, 4, 6-10 collected solar X-ray and ultraviolet photon flux data across multiple wavelength bands from 1960 to 1973. Data from missions like SOLRAD 1, 7A, 7B, 8, 9, and 10 are held at the NSSDC, with some data also at the Naval Research Laboratory. The instrumentation and quantity of data improved with each succeeding spacecraft in the series.

Use Cases

• Analyzing solar activity cycles based on photon flux data across X-ray and UV wavelengths.
• Studying the evolution of solar instrumentation based on data improvements across successive SOLRAD missions.
• Correlating solar X-ray emissions with other solar phenomena using the recorded wavelength bands.
• Investigating long-term changes in solar ultraviolet output using data spanning over a decade.

Strengths

• Data spans a 13-year period from 1960 to 1973, providing a historical record.
• Includes measurements across multiple specific wavelength bands, such as 2-8 Å and 1050-1350 Å.
• Instrumentation and data quantity improved with each successive spacecraft, likely enhancing data quality over time.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Last updated 1973-06-30 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

NASA Earthdata (NSSDC), Naval Research Laboratory

Collection Method

Data collected by instruments on the SOLRAD series of spacecraft.

Time Range

1960 to 1973

Freshness

1973-06-30 23:59:59.999000