GOES x-ray sensor and its use in predicting solar-terrestrial disturbances

Patricia L. Bornmann; David Speich; Joseph Hirman; Lorne Matheson; Richard Grubb; Howard A. Garcia; R. Viereck

doi:10.1117/12.254076

18 October 1996 GOES x-ray sensor and its use in predicting solar-terrestrial disturbances

Patricia L. Bornmann, David Speich, Joseph Hirman, Lorne Matheson, Richard Grubb, Howard A. Garcia, R. Viereck

Proceedings Volume 2812, GOES-8 and Beyond; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254076
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The X-ray sensor (XRS) on the GOES provides a standard reference for essentially continuous monitoring solar activity and characterizing solar flares. Disk-integrated x- ray fluxes observed by XRS are used by forecasters and researchers around the world as a measure of the strength and duration of solar flares. The peak 0.1-0.8 nm x-ray flux during flares is used to distinguish between C, M, and X flares; flares that differ by an order of magnitude in the peak flux. Forecasters use this peak flux to predict the magnitude of proton events, and the x-ray duration is used to estimate whether coronal mass ejection may have occurred that could cause a geomagnetic disturbance if it hits the Earth. Recipients of the data use the peak flux and the duration of the flare to estimate the disturbances expected on radio communication systems. The magnitudes of XRS- observed flares are also used to determine when to issue alerts of changed communication systems. The magnitudes of XRS-observed flares are also used to determine when to issue alerts of changed ionospheric conditions that can disrupt communications and GPS signals. XRS fluxes are also used to augment solar radio observations to alert users of radio frequencies of times when the solar signal may interfere with their operations. The non-flaring x-ray flux, otherwise known as the x-ray background flux, is used as a proxy for he solar EUV emissions that are used to predict the atmospheric density as satellite orbits; variations in the daily averaged solar x-ray flux are used to estimate changes in the atmospheric drag on spacecraft orbits.

Citation Download Citation

Patricia L. Bornmann, David Speich, Joseph Hirman, Lorne Matheson, Richard Grubb, Howard A. Garcia, and R. Viereck "GOES x-ray sensor and its use in predicting solar-terrestrial disturbances", Proc. SPIE 2812, GOES-8 and Beyond, (18 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254076

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