Physical properties of the quiescent prominence of 5 June 1996, from H alpha observations

The Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph (MSDP) is designed to observe line profiles in a 2D field of view with a good spatial and tempor al resolution. In order to deal with this unique opportunity, we introduce a new method for fitting the hydrogen H alpha line formed in prominences an d deriving various plasma parameters from line profile observations. A quie scent prominence was observed on 5 June 1996, at the Pic du Midi during an international campaign between 09:30 UT and 11.00 UT with the MSDP spectrog raph operating in H alpha at the Turret Dome. Using the new fitting method, we show that the temperature, column density of hydrogen atoms and microtu rbulent velocity of the prominence are respectively about 8500K, 1.4 x 10(1 2) cm(-2), and 10 to 20 km s(-1). The electron density of the prominence is about 1.8 x 10(10) cm(-3).