March 15, 1998 HSH SXT CHIEF OBSERVER'S REPORT AND TABLE PLAN CHIEF OBSERVER'S REPORT for Week 11 8-Mar-98 to 14-Mar-98 SOLAR ACTIVITY Solar activity returned to a high level, but thus far without major flares. The extraordinary high-latitude region (46N plus solar tilt) gave us a novel perspective on AR loops away from the E or W limbs. There are many active regions currently on the Sun. SXT INSTRUMENT STATUS SXT is working fine, but over this weekend (until about 18:00 UT 15-March) Yohkoh is off the air because of commanding problem at KSC - the OP could not be uploaded. Meanwhile, Pat McIntosh has been issuing dire warnings about the dominant AR (in the S) and the likelihood of major flares. Keep your fingers crossed that they wait for a bit! The latitude spread of the current ARs exceeds the SXT patrol capability, so we are at some risk of not obtaining a correct flare mode behavior. Chief observers should keep an eye on the patrol image window for the next year or so, as these high-latitude regions occur. SXT SCIENCE For Web material see Weekly: ftp://isass0.solar.isas.ac.jp/pub/sxt_co/SXTweekly.html Index: ftp://isass0.solar.isas.ac.jp/pub/sxt_co/index.html 1997: ftp://isass0.solar.isas.ac.jp/pub/yohkoh_in_1997/1997.html CAMPAIGNS There were no formal campaigns this week. PERSONNEL There were no personnel changes this week. Khan and Sterling returned to ISAS from the eclipse and had good accounts of it. Sterling made the Japanese newspapers with informed commentary. SEMINAR March 12. Y. Liu (Huairou/Hiraiso) - quite interesting discussion of the practical problems of magnetic-field extrapolation. Liu expressed disappointment that there was such a confusing relationship between magnetic structures and SXT brightness patterns - but that's what makes it all worthwhile! SXT TABLE PLAN FOR WEEK 98_12 (16-Mar-98 - 23-Mar-98) SXT Chief Observer: Hudson There are no special campaigns this week, but we may try jet-hunting or filament-chasing as usual. In particular we try to keep an eye on the SOHO CDS observing plans to see if there is anything consistent. ________________________________#_______________________________ JST Day UT Start Time Pass Table ID Monday 15-MAR-98 19:45 2 980315 P2 ARS1 STD Tuesday 16-MAR-98 20:03 3 980316 P3 ARS1 STD+DIFF Wednesday 17-MAR-98 20:21 3 980317 P3 ARS1 DARKCAL Thursday 18-MAR-98 18:56 3 980318 P3 ARS1 STD Friday 19-MAR-98 17:31 3 980319 P3 ARS1 STD Saturday 20-MAR-98 17:31 3 980320 P3 ARS1 STD Sunday 21-MAR-98 18:08 3 980321 P3 ARS1 STD Tuesday 23-MAR-98 15:18 2 980323 P2 ARS1 STD TBD Note that UT days differ from JST days, so the dates look a little odd. The naming convention uses the UT date of the first contact. Note that this plan is subject to change. Continuing requests: SSOC Tohban: On the weekly visible diagram, please mark the official five passes first and then cross out those passes that will be given to other satellites. That way we can keep the numbering straight in the Yohkoh software system. SSOC Tohban: SXT operations do not currently include terminator off- pointing. It is unnecessary this week to ask the SXT Chief Observer for terminator off-pointing information. KSC & SSOC Tohbans: If any KSC passes are likely to be cancelled (for example due to a typhoon) or an SXT table cannot be uploaded for some reason, please telephone and e-mail the Chief Observer immediately. (sxt_co@isass0.solar.isas.ac.jp, copy to sxt_st@flare2.solar.isas.ac.jp). KSC Tohbans: In general flare mode supersedes table upload, ie if a flare is in progress please do not upload a new table, and contact the chief observer. Normally it is OK to go ahead with the planned table without change on the next pass, if it is available. Chief observers should keep an eye on this.