Mass accretion onto massive white dwarfs

We have studied the thermonuclear runaways which develop on white dwarfs of 1.205M and 1.358M accreting hydrogen rich material at 10^–10 M yr^–1. It is found that ignition of this material occurs at densities in excess of about 10⁴ gm cm^–3 and that the critical accumulated mass required to initiate the runaway is 0.7(1.5)×10^–4 M for a 1.358(1.205)M white dwarf.     

Evolution of massive close binaries and formation of neutron stars and black holes

Main results of computations of evolution for massive close binaries (10M +9.4M , 16M +15M , 32M +30M , 64M +60M ) up to oxygen exhaustion in the core are described. Mass exchange starting in core hydrogen, shell hydrogen and core helium burning stages was studied. Computations were performed assuming both the Ledoux and Schwarzschild stability criteria for semiconvection. The influence of UFI-neutrino emission on evolution of close binaries was investigated. The results obtained allow to outline the following evolutionary chain: two detached Main-Sequence stars — mass exchange — Wolf-Rayet star or blue supergiant plus main sequence star — explosion of the initially more massive star appearing as a supernova event — collapsed or neutron star plus Main-Sequence star, that may be observed as a runaway star — mass exchange leading to X-rays emission — collapsed or neutron star plus WR-star or blue supergiant — second explosion of supernova that preferentially disrupts the system and gives birth to two single high spatial velocity pulsars.Numerical estimates concerning the number and properties of WR-stars, pulsars and X-ray sources are presented. The results are in favour of the existence of UFI-neutrino and of the Ledoux criterion for describing semiconvection. Properties of several well-known X-ray sources and the binary pulsar are discussed on base of evolutionary chain of close binaries.     

Relationship between type III-V radio and hard X-ray bursts

Type III–V radio bursts are found to be closely associated with impulsive hard X-ray bursts. Probably 0.1% to 1% of the fast electrons in the X-ray source region escape to heights > 0.1R in the corona and excite the type III–V burst.     

Evolution of binaries with ultra-short periods: Systematic study

A detailed investigation of the evolution of low-mass binaries is performed for the case when the secondary fills its Roche lobe at the stage of core hydrogen exhaustion. The obtained results are compared with observational data for ultra-short periodic X-ray systems MXB 1820-30 and MXB 1916-05. In the frame of the proposed evolutionary scenario it is possible to obtain for MXB 1820-30 its periodP=11.4 min twice (see Figure 2). In the first case the parameters of the system are:M ₂ 0.13–0.15M ,X0.05–0.13, |P/P| (3.6–6.2) } 10^–7 yr^–1, M₂ (4.1–9.6) } 10^–9 M yr^–1, for the second:M ₂ 0.08–0.09M ,X= 0, |P/P| (1.3–1.5) } 10^–7 yr^–1, M₂ (1.4–1.8) } 10^–8 M yr^–1. It is suggested that MXB 1916-05 is the progenitor of the system MXB 1820-30 (M ₂ = 0.1M,X 0.221,M ₂ 1.8 × 10^–10 M yr^–1).     

Evidence for electron excitation of type III radio burst emission

Type III radio bursts observed at kilometric wavelengths ( 0.35 MHz) by the OGO-5 spacecraft are compared with > 45 keV solar electron events observed near 1 AU by the IMP-5 and Explorer 35 spacecraft for the period March 1968–November 1969.Fifty-six distinct type III bursts extending to 0.35 MHz ( 50 R equivalent height above the photosphere) were observed above the threshold of the OGO-5 detector; all but two were associated with solar flares. Twenty-six of the bursts were followed 40 min later by > 45 keV solar electron events observed at 1 AU. All of these 26 bursts were identified with flares located west of W 09 solar longitude. Of the bursts not associated with electron events only three were identified with flares west of W 09, 18 were located east of W 09 and 7 occurred during times when electron events would be obscured by high background particle fluxes.Thus almost all type III bursts from the western half of the solar disk observed by OGO-5 above a detection flux density threshold of the order of 10^–13 Wm^–2 Hz^–1 at 0.35 MHz are followed by > 45 keV electrons at 1 AU with a maximum flux of 10 cm^–2 s^–1 ster^–1. If particle propagation effects are taken into account it is possible to account for lack of electron events with the type III bursts from flares east of the central meridian. We conclude that streams of 10–100 keV electrons are the exciting agent for type III bursts and that these same electrons escape into the interplanetary medium where they are observed at 1 AU. The total number of > 45 keV electrons emitted in association with a strong kilometer wavelength type III burst is estimated to be 5 × 10³².     

Statistical survey of planetary nebulae: Distances,masses, and distribution in the galaxy

On the basis of empirical (D)-dependency at the frequency of 5 GHz constructed using 15 planetary nebulae with the independently measured distances (10^–171×10^–20 W m^–2 Hz^–1 ster^–1), we evaluated distances of 335 objects. Independent evidence of the correctness of the accepted scale are given. Then(D)-dependency is constructed and it is shown that atD<0.08 pc the mean electron density is higher than the one determined by the Seaton method. We showed that the filling factor diminishes with the increase of the PN diameter (1 atD0.08 pc and 0.2 atD0.4 pc). the ionized mass of 33 PNs is determined. With the diameter increase the ionized mass grows and atD0.4 pc reaches the valueM0.07M . We used the new distance scale when investigating the space distribution of PNs. The mean scale height =130±15 pc and the mean gradient of the change of surface densitym=0.37, which allowed us to estimate the total number of nebulae in the GalaxyN4×10⁴. We divided the PNs according to their velocities (withV _LSR>35 km s^–1 andV _LSR<35 km s^–1) and permitted us to confirm that the PN belong to different sub-systems of the Galaxy. The estimated local formation rate of PNs [=(4.6±2.2)×10^–12 pc^–3 yr^–1] is a little higher than the one of the white dwarfs. That can be explained by a large number of PNs having binary cores, which used in our sample. The statistical estimation of PN expansion velocity showed thatV _ex increases from 5–7 km s^–1 (atD0.03 pc) to 40–50 km s^–1 (atD0.8 pc).     

Relativistic isentropic stellar models

Relativistic, isentropic, homogeneous models are constructed by a method that automatically detects instabilities, and evolutionary tracks of central conditions are shown on a (T, ) diagram. Models heavier than 20M become unstable because of pair creation. Iron photodisintegration causes instability in the mass range between 1.5M and 20M . General relativistic effects bring about the onset of instability in models of 1.2–1.5M when the central density is about 10¹⁰ g/cm³. Lighter models become white dwarfs. It is pointed out that general relativistic instability will prevent the formation of neutron stars through hydrostatic evolution and may be relevant in setting off low-mass supernovae.     

On steady-state nuclear burning in accreting neutron stars

The properties of the hydrogen burning shell in the envelope of an accreting neutron star have been studied for a range of mass accretion rates, neutron star radii, and metal abundances of the accreted matter. It is found that the hydrogen burning shells lie at densities ranging from 10⁵–6×10⁶ gm cm^–3. For mass accretion rates in excess ofM _c2 hydrogen and helium burn together. ForM _c1MM _c2, the hydrogen burning shell is stabilized by the limited CNO cycle. Implications of these results to the X-ray burst phenomena are briefly discussed.     

Supernova models with slow energy pumping and galactic supernova remnants

The study of supernova (SN) models with slow energy pumping is continued. At maximum luminosity the main characteristics of a SN are shown to be independent of the initial structure of the model (Table I, Figure 1). However, they depend on the massM _e of the envelope, and on the intensity of energy pumpingL , with an increase ofM _e leading qualitatively to the same changes in the SN parameters as a decrease inL (Table I, Figures 2 and 3). A simple relationship connecting the important SN parameters is obtained (Equation (6)). From the inflection of the color indexB-V curve, the possibility of deriving the characteristic time of energy pumping with intensityL 10⁴⁴ erg s^–1 is pointed out. The comparison of the extragalactic type I SN observations with the results of calculations leads to the estimate ofM _e 0.3–0.7M.An investigation of the galactic type I SN remnants is carried out (Table III). The estimate ofM _e 0.2–0.3M is obtained for the remnants of supernovae SN 1006, SN 1572, and SN 1604. It completely fits the results for the extragalactic type I SNs. The total initial mass of SN 1604 presupernova was shown to be at least about 7M .It was established that the Crab nebula resulted from the outburst of a peculiar SN. The unique properties of such SNs, including SN 1054, are due to the low intensity of energy pumping (L 10⁴² erg s^–1). The mass of the envelope of the Crab nebula is evaluated to beM _e 0.7M . SN 1054 was shown to have m _max ^v =–4 _m ^. 0 at maximum luminosity.     

Study of the nonradial directional property of the rays of the streamer belt and chains in the solar corona

Based on analyzing corona images taken by the LASCO C1, C2, and C3 instruments, a study is made of the behavior of the streamer belt spanning one half of the 1996–2001 cycle of solar activity, from minimum to maximum activity, in the absence of coronal mass ejections. It is shown that: (1) The position of the streamer belt relative to the solar equator is generally characterized by two angles: _o and _E, where _o is the latitudinal position (near the solar surface) of the middle of the base of the helmet, the top of which gradually transforms to a ray of the streamer belt with a further distance from the Sun, and _E is the latitude of this ray for R>5–6 R from the Sun's center where the ray becomes radial. (2) Only rays lying at some of the selected latitudes _o retain their radial orientation (_oE) throughout their extent. Namely: _o0° (equator), _o±90° (north and south poles), and the angle _o lying in the range ±(65°–75°) in the N- and S-hemispheres. (3) A deviation of rays from their radial orientation in the direction normal to the surface of the streamer belt occurs: for latitudes _o<|65°–75°| toward the equator (>0°) reaching a maximum in the N and S hemispheres, respectively, when _OM40°, and _OM–42° for latitudes _o>|65°–75°| toward the pole (<0°). The regularities obtained here are a numerical test which can be used to assess of the validity of the theory for describing the behavior of the Sun's quasi-stationary corona over a cycle of solar activity.     

Structure of close binaries

Internal models have been obtained for uniformly rotating synchronous close binary systems using a modified double approximation scheme. We have considered primaries of 10M , 5M , and 2M with mass ratios of 0.0 to 1.0 in steps of 0.1, and some results are given for a 1M primary with a mass ratio of 1.0. A maximum luminosity reduction of 2.3% was found for a 10M primary with a mass ratio of 1.0 and 7.7% for a mass ratio of 0.0. The corresponding values for 5M are 2.0% and 7.0%, and for 2M they are 1.6% and 5.3%, respectively. These values were not found to be sensitive to small changes in composition. The maximum equatorial velocity varies from 399 km s^–1 for 2M to 567 km s^–1 for 10M when the mass ratio is zero, but these velocities decrease by 200–300 km s^–1 if the mass ratio is unity. The effect of gravity darkening on the apparent position of the primary in the theoretical H-R diagram was investigated. It was determined that an unresolved close binary of unit mass ratio can lie up to 0.9 magnitudes (depending on inclination) above the main sequence, whereas if the effects of distortion are ignored this number is at most 0.75 magnitudes. There seems to be some observational support for the larger value. Two models of the secondaries are given and their dimensions are compared with their critical Roche lobes.     

Spectral characteristics of solar S bursts

Observations of the solar radio spectrum have been made with high time and frequency resolution. Spectra were recorded over six 3-MHz bands between 30 and 82 MHz. The receivers used were capable of time and frequency resolutions of 1 ms and 2 kHz, respectively. A large number of radio bursts exhibiting a variety of find spectral structure were recorded.The bursts, referred to here as S bursts, were observed throughout the 30–82 MHz frequency range but were most numerous in the 33–44 MHz band and were very rare at 80 MHz. On a dynamic spectrum the bursts appeared as narrow sloping lines with the centre frequency of each burst decreasing with time. The rate of frequency drift was about 1/3 that of type III bursts. Most bursts were observed over only a limited frequency range (< 5 MHz) but some drifted for more than 10 MHz. The durations measured at a single frequency and the instantaneous bandwidths of S bursts were small; t = 49 ± 34 ms and f = 123 ± 56 kHz for bursts observed near 40 MHz. A significant number had t 20 ms. Flux densities of S burst sources were estimated to fall in the range 10²³-5 × 10²¹ Wm^–1 Hz^–1.A small proportion (1–2%) of bursts showed a fine structure in which the burst source apparently only emitted at discrete, regularly spaced frequencies causing the spectrogram to exhibit a series of bands or fringes. The fringe spacing increased with wave frequency and was f - 90 kHz for fringes near 40 MHz. The bandwidths of fringes was narrow, often less than 30 kHz and in some cases down to 10–15 kHz.New address: Astronomy Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, U.S.A.     

Characteristics of Flares with Hα Emission Protruding over Major Sunspot Umbrae

A sample of 47 importance 1 flares whose H emission occurred or protruded over umbrae of major sunspots (so called Z-flares) was studied to investigate characteristics of the associated dm–m radio, microwave and soft X-ray emission as the energy release site permeats into regions of strong magnetic fields. A close time association was found between the microwave burst peak and the `contact' of the H emission with the sunspot umbra. The H emission attained maximum close to or a few minutes after the contact. The soft X-ray bursts were delayed more, attaining maximum 0–10 min after the contact. The onset of bursts in the dm–m wavelength range was associated with the period of growth or the peak of the microwave burst. Two categories of type III and IV bursts could be recognized: the ones starting some ten minutes before the microwave peak, and those that begin close to the microwave burst peak. Type III bursts occur preferably when the microwave burst peaks simultaneously with or after the contact. The results are explained presuming that the contact reveals a permeation of the energy release process into a region of strong magnetic fields, where the process intensifies, and where the accelerated particles have access to magnetic field lines extending to large coronal heights. Different manifestations of the energy release process in various magnetic field topologies are considered to account for the various time sequences observed.     

Nonlinear pulsations of a very luminous star

The radial nonlinear pulsations of a model withM=0.8M ,M _bol=–6 mag andT _eff=5500 K have been studied. The pulsations are shown to exist in the form of the standing wave only in the innermost layers withR<0.2R _ph. In the outer layers, the standing wave transforms into running waves, the frequency of which decreases with an increasingR. the pulsation period at the photosphere is found to be twice as long as the pulsation period atR<0.2R _ph. The difference between the pulsation periods causes alternation of deep and shallow minima in the temporal dependences of the kinetic energy and radii and can be used to explain the nature of RV Tau variables. It is shown that at the distanceR>3R _ph, the time-independent mass flux caused by shocks takes place. The rate of mass loss is found to beM10^–4 M yr^–1.     

Very low mass stars,black dwarfs and planets

Hydrogen-rich stars of very low mass (M 0.08M ) never go through hydrogenburning thermonuclear reactions and, in a time scale much shorter than the age of the Galaxy, become completely degenerate objects or black dwarfs. The number of the very-low-mass (VLM) black dwarfs is expected to be very large and they are likely to make a significant contribution to the total mass of the Galaxy. Processes of star and planet formation are discussed and it is concluded that the luminous and dark objects of mass 0.001M -0.08M beyond the solar system are not likely to be planets. Formation of Jupiter is discussed and it is suggested that the mass of Jupiter at the time of formation was smaller than its present mass.Paper presented at the Conference on Planetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

Ionization feedback mechanism in the recombination era of the Universe

Within the cosmological standard models of the Universe, we inquire the 2-fluid radiation hydrodynamics during and before the recombination era. If we neglect all nonlinearities with exception of those contained in the coupling term between the two fluids via the degree of ionization, there exists a strong feedback mechanism on the instable modes which prevents them from growing if their relative amplitudes of the density contrast have values in the order of 10^–1–10^–2. The non-linear equations are numerically solved by adiabatic elimination technique used usually in self-organization problems. The effect depends very on the redshift z and become maximum atz1350. It depends also on the masses involved for the rangeM>10¹¹ M . The lowest limits in the amplitudes (10^–2) are imposed on the largest masses (10¹⁷ M ). In the range 10⁶M/M 10¹¹, the effect is independent of the mass.     

Grain formation in the expanding gas flow around cool luminous stars

We studied grain formation process and flow structure around cool luminous mass-loss stars. The nucleation and growth theory of Yamamoto and Hasegawa was extended to the case of expanding gas flow.The envelope was assumed to be steady, spherically symmetric, in thermal and radiative equilibrium, optically thin, and driven by radiation pressure on grains. For oxygen rich stars, Mg-silicate was found to be the first condensate which can drive the gas effectively. The following stellar parameters were chosen; stellar massM _*=1M , effective temperatureT _*=3000K, stellar luminosityL _* from 7.5×10³ to 2.0×10⁴ L , and mass-loss rate |M| from 1.0×10^–6 to 1.0×10^–4 M yr^–1.Main results of calculations are as follows; (1) grain condensation temperatureT _c9801080 K; (2) total gas pressure at the condensation pointP _t6×10^–116×10^–9 atm; (3) scale parameterA _c10³6×10⁴; and (4) final grain sizer _f=400Å1m. For the smaller |M| or the largerL _*, these values are the smaller. We recognized two types of flow solutions (1) Dust driven flow for large |M|, which reaches the sonic point near the condensation point; and (2) Modified Parker flow for small |M| for which grain sizer _f is almost independent of |M|.A comparison with observational results ofL _* and gas terminal velocityV suggests that Mg-silicate grains are of submicron size, which are effective for interstellar extinction in visible and infrared. Fe-grains condense in the rarefied outflow with a size probably smaller than 100Å, which may contribute for interstellar ultraviolet extinction. The envelope has three-layer structure inner dense region with small outflow velocity, grain formation layer and outer rarefied region with fast outflow velocity.No flow solutions exist forM _* greater than a critical stellar massM _*cr for a given stellar luminosityL _* and mass-loss rate |M|.For example, critical stellar massM _*cr=1.8M forL _*=10⁴ L ,T _*=3000 K, and |M|=10^-5 M yr^-1.     

Stellar pulsation: (I) analysis of stability of envelope

The life-time of the star on AGB is approximately 6 × 10⁴ yr. We divide it into front half and back half of AGB (including to optical Mira variable and OH/IR star) according to their evolution character. The observations show that the star has non-pulsation, but constant mass loss rate ( 5 × 10^–7 M yr^–1) on front half of AGB. Its circumstellar envelope is formed. When the star has pulsation on back half of AGB, its mass loss rate is relative with time, and increases gradually. In this time the star is on the stage of optical Mira variable. When the mass loss rate reaches the value of 3 × 10^–6 M yr^–1, the star evoluted from the stage of optical variable into the stage of radio bright OH/IR star. On the end of AGB the mass loss rate reaches 10^–4 M yr^–1. (Band and Habing 1983, Hermen and Habing 1985).     

The nature of RW Sextantis

Photometry and first results of extensive CCD-spectroscopy of the UX UMa system RW Sex are presented. The period is found to be P=0.24486 days and the semi-amplitude of the radial velocity is K₁=101 km s^–1. The mass of a Roche-lobe filling secondary is M₂=(0.54±0.09) M₀ and, for M₁M₂, the mass ratio is M₁/M₂=1.5±0.5. The accretion rate is about (2–3) 10¹⁷ g/s. The model for RW Sex by Greenstein and Oke is discussed and rejected.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.