The H I Lyman continuum in solar prominences and its interpretation in the presence of inhomogeneities

Observations of the H I Lyman continuum are presented for nine hedgerow prominences observed at the limb with the Harvard EUV spectrometer on Skylab. Methods of analysis for both the continuum emission and absorption are developed for two contrasting models for the prominence fine structure, namely multiple resolved slabs, and multiple unresolved cylindrical threads. The absorption data set a lower limit on the total optical thickness at 912 A and on the number of structures in the line of sight. The emission data yield a mean electron temperature of 7524 + or - 739 K and a mean brightness temperature of 6316 + or - 75 K. Taken together the emission and absorption data set firm constraints on the ionization, density, and fractional volume.