Abstract Solar flares, which produce radiation potentially dangerous in space or at high altitudes in the upper portions of the earth''s atmosphere, are signalled initially by the appearance of radiation at about 1.8 Angstroms, which precedes by a substantial fraction of an hour the increase in intensity of the flare to dangerous levels. A device selectively sensitive to radiation of this wavelength is connected to an alarm device whose operation gives sufficient warning to permit space travelers to seek shelter within protective shield before the radiation reaches dangerous levels, or alternatively gives aircraft flying at high altitudes warning in adequate time for them to descend to altitudes of about 50,000 feet or less, at which altitude the absorption by the atmosphere above that level is adequate protection.
A device for warning of the imminence of a solar flare, comprising: a first detection means sensitive to radiation within the wavelength band 1.74 to 1.89 Angstroms and above the said wavelength band, and a second detection means insensitive to radiation within the specified wavelength band, but sensitive to radiation above the said wavelength band; rate means which comprises first counter means for counting the detections by the first detection means and second counter means for counting the detections by the second detection means during the same period of timE, and comparison means which comprises means for producing a signal when the number stored in the first counter means exceeds that stored in the second counter means by at least a predetermined ratio, connected to alarm means operative responsively to the said signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for warning of the imminence of a solar flare, comprising: a first detection means sensitive to radiation within the wavelength band 1.74 to 1.89 Angstroms and above the said wavelength band, and a second detection means insensitive to radiation within the specified wavelength band, but sensitive to radiation above the said wavelength band; rate means which comprises first counter means for counting the detections by the first detection means and second counter means for counting the detections by the second detection means during the same period of timE, and comparison means which comprises means for producing a signal when the number stored in the first counter means exceeds that stored in the second counter means by at least a predetermined ratio, connected to alarm means operative responsively to the said signal.