MAX91 is an observational program to study solar activity in the 1990's with emphasis on coordination of observations from existing facilities and also from new balloon, rocket and ground- based instrumentation. Accordingly, the program requires the early appointment of a solar physicist to act as the "MAX91 Coordinator." One component of this grant is for a solar physicist to assume the role of MAX91 Coordinator. The grant will effect efficient MAX91 operation by establishing reliable one-way, and modern two-way, computer-based lines of communications to the solar physics community. The Coordinator will also work closely with a solar forecaster (specifically associated with MAX91) to optimize scientific output of campaigns in response to real-time solar conditions. Three studies which encompass varying aspects of solar activity on timescales that vary over eleven orders of magnitude are also planned: Milliseconds - Seconds Three year observational program with a newly developed, high speed digital camera system. This system can observe simultaneously at three optical wavelengths with high temporal and spatial resolution: From comparisons with X-ray data, it is expected to resolve important time-of-flight effects of accelerated electrons in solar flares; this addresses fundamental properties of energy release in flares. Seconds - Hours Investigation of temporal and spectral signatures of "impulsive" and "gradual" hard X-ray bursts: This study will analyze over 4,500 hard X-ray flares to quantify the characteristic differences between the two principal types of flare behavior: impulsive and gradual. Hours - Years Investigation of an apparent 152-158 day periodicity in solar activity first discovered in gamma-ray flare production rates: From new analyses of databases which extend from 10 to 120 years in the past, it is intended to either establish or to discredit this "periodicity" as a fundamental physical property of solar activity.
