A Reconstruction of Ultraviolet Spectral Irradiance During the Maunder Minimum

• Published in: Solar physics Vol. 289; no. 8; pp. 2891 - 2906
• Main Authors: Bolduc, C., Charbonneau, P., Barnabé, R., Bourqui, M. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.08.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Atmospheric Sciences; Emissions; Emissivity; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Solar physics; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Ultraviolet radiation; Solar irradiance; Spectrum, ultraviolet
• DOI: 10.1007/s11207-014-0503-0
• ISSN: 0038-0938

We present a reconstruction of the solar spectrum in the near and mid-ultraviolet spectral range during the Maunder Minimum, a period of strongly suppressed magnetic activity spanning the second half of the 17th century. This spectral reconstruction is based on an extension of the Monte Carlo Solar Spectral Irradiance Model (MOCASSIM). The new version of the model, documented in this paper, extends its spectral range down to 150 nm, its temporal range back to 1610, includes a secular modulation of the quiet-Sun emissivity based on a total solar irradiance reconstruction, and uses the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 (ATLAS-3) spectrum as a reconstruction baseline. The model is validated against the ATLAS-1 spectrum for 29 March 1992, showing a general agreement varying from ∼ 1 % in the 300 – 400 nm range, up to 3 – 5 % below 200 nm, the largest discrepancies occurring in emission lines formed in the chromosphere and transition region. We also reconstruct ultraviolet spectra for May 2008 and March 2009, spanning the extended phase of low activity separating Cycles 23 and 24. Our results suggest that despite the unusually long temporal extent of this activity minimum, the ultraviolet emission still remained slightly higher than during the Maunder Minimum, due to the lingering presence of decay products from active regions having emerged in the late descending phase of Cycle 23.