SERTS-97 Measurements Of Relative Wavelength Shifts In Coronal Emission Lines Across A Solar Active Region

We used slit spectra from the 18 November 1997 flight of Goddard Space Flight Center's Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS-97) to measure relative wavelength shifts of coronal emission lines as a function of position across NOAA active region 8108. The shifts are measured relative to reference wavelengths derived from spectra of the region's nearby quiet surroundings (not necessarily at rest) because laboratory rest wavelengths for the coronal EUV lines have not been measured to sufficient accuracy for this work. An additional benefit to this approach is that any systematic uncertainties in the wavelength measurements are eliminated from the relative shifts by subtraction. We find statistically significant wavelength shifts between the spatially resolved active region slit spectra and the reference spectrum. For He ii 303.78 Å the maximum measured relative red shift corresponds to a Doppler velocity +13 km s^–1, and the maximum relative blue shift corresponds to a Doppler velocity –3 km s^–1. For Si x 347.40 Å, Si xi 303.32 Å, Fe xiv 334.17 Å, and Fe xvi 335.40 Å the corresponding maximum relative Doppler velocities are +19 and –14, +23 and –7, +10 and –10, and +13 and –5 km s^–1, respectively. The active region appears to be divided into two different flow areas; hot coronal lines are predominantly red-shifted in the northern half and either blue-shifted or nearly un-shifted in the southern half. This may be evidence that material flows up from the southern part of the region, and down into the northern part. Qualitatively similar relative wavelength shifts and flow patterns are obtained with SOHO/CDS spectra.     

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).     

Low frequency flickering of TT arietis: Hard and soft X-ray emission region

Using archival ASCA observations of TT Arietis, X-ray energy spectra and power spectra of the intensity time series are presented for the first time. The energy spectra are well-fitted by a two continuum plasma emission model with temperatures 1 keV and 10 keV. A coherent feature at 0.643 mHz appeared in the power spectra during the observation.     

An analysis of the longitudinal distribution of gamma rays from SAS-II data

An analysis of the longitudinal distribution of gamma rays from SAS-II data has been carried out using the available information on the gas distribution in the Galaxy. The overall distribution of cosmic rays in the galactic plane can be represented by an exponential function in galactocentric distance with a scale length of 8 kpc upto the solar circle and 10 kpc beyond. There is no evidence for a large gradient of the cosmic ray intensity in the outer parts of the Galaxy. The local emissivities of gamma rays in the energy regionsE >100 MeV and 35 MeV<E <100 MeV are (1.73±0.27)×10^–25 photon/(cm³ s n_H) and (2.40±0.41)×10^–25 photon/(cm³ s n_H) respectively. The contribution of °-decay gamma rays is 80% forE >100 MeV and 20% at lower energies. The electron spectrum required by this analysis has a power law spectral index of about –2.7 below a few hundred MeV. The observed gas distribution towards the galactic centre would predict a gamma-ray flux larger than observed. It is suggested that the molecular gas in the central region may be in the form of dense coudlets, in which low evergy cosmic rays do not penetrate; in this case the centre should be seen as a strong source only at high energies. An analysis of the radio sky survey map of the Galaxy at 408 MHz shows thatB varies with a scale-length of 40 kpc; no significance can be attached to the apparent deviation from the equipartition of energy densities between cosmic rays and magnetic field. The derived local emissivity is (1.46±0.28)×10^–40 W/((m³ Hz), which corresponds toB 5 G. The surface brightness of radio and gamma-ray emissions in the Galaxy decreases from the centre with scale-lengths 6 kpc and 7 kpc respectively. No positive correlation can be noticed with either co-rotation radius or pattern speed, when compared with external spiral galaxies.     

Optically thick accretion onto black holes

Spherically symmetric, steady-state, optically thick accretion onto a nonrotating black hole with the mass of is studied. The gas accreting onto the black hole is assumed to be a fully ionized hydrogen plasma withn ₀=10⁸ cm^–3 andT ₀=10⁴ K far from the black hole, and a new approximate expression for the Eddington factor is introduced. The luminosity is estimated to beL=1.875×10³³ erg s^–1, which primarily arises from the optical surface (1) ofT10⁴ K. The accretion flow is characterized by 1 and (v/c)10. In the optically thin region, the flow remains isothermal, and the increase of temperature occurs at 1. The radiative equilibrium is strictly realized at (v/c)10.     

Meteorite Ablation Evaluated from the Data on the Density of Cosmic-Ray Tracks

We determined the form of the functional dependence of the rate of formation of tracks of galactic cosmic rays in meteorites (/t) on the shielding degree for ordinary chondrites with preatmospheric radius R > 5 cm based on published semiempirical data on /t. The resulting dependence was used to construct a nomogram which allowed us to estimate the ablation of a meteorite according to the average rate of track formation in it and its recovered mass. The calculated ablation of meteorites agrees with the estimates obtained by other methods. The average ablation for 83 ordinary chondrites was found to be equal to 78.4^+3.1 _–3.4%. The analysis of the data obtained demonstrated that the average preatmospheric mass of chondrites is M 90 kg, and for 95% of the meteorites, the preatmospheric masses fall in the interval 2–3500 kg, which corresponds to radii from 5 to 60 cm. It was found that meteorites with a small preatmospheric mass tend to higher ablation.     

Amorphous interstellar grains: Wavelength dependence of far-infrared emission efficiency

It is shown theoretically that the emission efficiency of amorphous grains with radii smaller than 100 Å has a _-1-dependence in the wavelength region longer than 100 , whereas those of crystalline, metallic, and larger amorphous grains are proportional to _-2 in far infrared. Astrophysical implications of the amorphous grains are discussed.     

In situ acceleration and gradients of charged particles in the outer solar system observed by the voyager spacecraft

The probable connection between cosmic rays and the electromagnetic state of the interplanetary medium was recognized by Hannes Alfvén as early as 1949 (Alfvén, 1949, 1950); he pointed out that the properties of cosmic rays necessitate a mechanism, external to Earth but within the solar system, capable of accelerating particles to extremely high energies. In advocating the view of local origin for part of the cosmic-ray spectrum, Alfvén and his colleagues developed a very general type of acceleration mechanism called magnetic pumping. The unique data set of the two Voyagers extends over an entire decade (1977–1987) and is most suitable to explore the problem of acceleration of charged particles in the heliosphere. The energy coverage of the Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP) experiment covers the range 30 keV to several hundred MeV for ions and 22 keV to several MeV for electrons. Selected observations of interplanetary acceleration events from 1 to 25 AU are presented and reviewed. These show frequent acceleration of ions to several tens of MeV in association with shocks; highest energies (220 MeV oxygen) were measured in the near-perpendicular ( _Bn 87.5°) shock of January 5, 1978 at 1.9 AU, where electron acceleration was also observed. Examples of ion acceleration in association with corotating interaction regions are presented and discussed. It is shown that shock structures have profound effects on high-energy (70 MeV) cosmic rays, especially during solar minimum, when a negative latitudinal gradient was observed after early 1985 at all energies from 70 MeV down to 30 keV. By early 1987, most shock acceleration activity in the outer heliosphere (25 to 30 AU) had ceased both in the ecliptic (Voyager-2) and at higher (30°) ecliptic latitudes (Voyager-1). The totality of observations demonstrate that local acceleration to a few hundred MeV, and as high as a few GeV is continually present throughout the heliosphere. It should be noted that in 1954 when Alfvén suggested local acceleration and containment of cosmic rays within the solar system, no one treated his suggestion seriously, at any energy. The observations reviewed in this paper illustrate once more Alfvén's remarkable prescience and demonstrate how unwise it is to dismiss his ideas.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 80th birthday, 30 May 1988.     

EURD Data Processing

EURD (EspectrógrafoUltravioleta extremo para la Radiación Difusa) is one of thescientific instruments on board MINISAT 01. EURD is a spectrograph withvery high sensitivity and spectral resolution ( 5 Å), designed to obtain extremeultraviolet ( 350-1100 Å) spectra of diffuse radiation.We outline the processing of EURD data, and how we obtain informationfrom these data on the scientific goals of the mission: hot interstellarmedium, neutrino decay line, nightglow emission, and early-type stars.     

Time Evolution of low-Frequency Periodicities in Cosmic ray Intensity

The long-time series of daily means of cosmic-ray intensity observed by four neutron monitors at different cutoff rigidities (Calgary, Climax, Lomnický tít and Huancayo/Haleakala) were analyzed by means of the wavelet transform method in the period range 60 to 1000 days. The contributions of the time evolution of three quasi-periodic cosmic-ray signals (150 d, 1.3 yr and 1.7 yr) to the global one are obtained. While the 1.7-yr quasi-periodicity, the most remarkable one in the studied interval, strongly contributes to the cosmic ray intensity profile of solar cycle 21 (particularly in 1982), the 1.3-yr one, which is better correlated with the same periodicity of the interplanetary magnetic field strength, is present as a characteristic feature for the decreasing phases of the cycles 20 and 22. Transitions between these quasi-periodicities are seen in the wavelet power spectra plots. Obtained results support the claimed difference in the solar activity evolution during odd and even solar activity cycles.     

Small dense molecular clouds which envelope groups of T-Tauri stars

Dense molecular clouds within the Taurus and NGC 2264 regions have undergone gravitational collapse and fragmentation to form groups of low mass (1M ) T-Tauri stars which are still embedded within the clouds and which are kinematically associated with them. Molecular column densities on the order of 10¹⁴ cm^–2 are inferred from the emission lines of OH and NH₃. Emission line widths are 2 km s^–1 and the antenna beamwidths include linear extents of order 0.1 pc. The OH emission appears to be in a condition of local thermodynamic equilibrium, and it cannot arise from circumstellar sheils similar to those surrounding the masing infrared stars. The OH and NH₃ emission occurs in clouds of 1 pc in extent with optical depths of 0.1 to 1.0 and excitation temperatures of the order of 10 K. The molecular clouds have radii of 0.5 pc, molecular hydrogen densities of 4000 cm^–3, masses of 100 solar masses, and kinetic temperatures of 20 K. The observed data are not inconsistent with the molecular clouds being in a state of hydrostatic equilibrium.Paper presented at the Conference on Protostars and Planets, held at the Planetary Science Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, between January 3 and 7, 1978.     

Short-Term Periodicities in the Time Series of Solar Radio Emissions at Different Solar Altitudes

A spectral analysis of the time series of daily values of 12 parameters, namely, ten solar radio emissions in the range 275–1755 MHz, 2800 MHz solar radio flux, and sunspot numbers for six continuous intervals of 132 values each during June 1997–July 1999 showed considerable differences from one interval to the next, indicating a nonstationary nature. A 27-day periodicity was noticed in Interval 2 (26.8 days), 3 (27.0 days), 5 (25.5 days), 6 (27.0 days). Other periodicities were near 11.4, 12.3, 13.3, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5, 35, 40, 50–70 days. Periodicities were very similar in a large vertical span of the coronal region corresponding to 670–1755 MHz. Above this region, the homogeneity disappeared. Below this region, there were complications and distortions due to localized solar surface phenomena.     

Microscopic spectral features in solar decametric bursts and coronal irregularities

A crossed Yagi antenna array at 35 MHz was employed in conjunction with a polarization switch so as to enable spectral observations of solar noise storm activity in R and L polarizations. Intense decametric solar noise storms were recorded during the third week of November 1975 and fourth week of March 1976 with the help of a high resolution spectroscope operating near 35 MHz.The paper describes some of the new microscopic spectral features observed during these two noise storms. Three sets of high resolution dynamic spectra of decametric solar bursts, two of which are explained in terms of induced scattering of Langmuir waves by thermal ions and the third in terms of additional propagation effects through dense coronal irregularities, are presented. The microscopic bursts, classified as inverted U U and dots, represent small-scale (10⁴ km) phenomena with durations of less than a second.Some burst spectra appear as chain of dots with individual bandwidths 40 kHz and durations 0.3 sec. It is suggested that the bandwidth of such dot emissions (40 kHz) provides an evidence that they might indeed be generated by the process of induced scattering of plasma waves which predicts emission bandwidth f × 10^–3, where f is the center frequency.Some bursts are observed as a chain of striations showing curvature along the frequency axis which is attributed to dispersion in propagation delays through the dense coronal irregularities.     

Periodicity in filamentary activity

This paper presents the results of the study on the periodicity in filament activity. The spectral analysis of the number of filaments shows a basic period at 141 (10.5 yr), at 138 (10.3 yr), and at 144 (10.7 yr) Carrington rotation in the northern and southern hemisphere, respectively.The time series concerning the index of filament activity shows also a typical period at 135 Carrington rotation (10.1 yr) at 144 Carrington rotation (10.7 yr) and at 133 Carrington rotation (9.9 yr), respectively, in the northern and southern hemisphere.The power spectrum analysis of the time series of the filamentary activity in the short-term also yields less pronounced but still noticeable peaks which are statistically significant.     

Redshift cutoff and evolution of QSOs

In this paper I present a new evolution model of QSOs luminosity. The model is based on edges distribution of apparent magnitude-redshift of QSOs. After the quasars were formed, the luminosities were increasing until they attained their maximum value atz=2+a, where –0.1a0.6, then the luminosities were decreasing. If the QSOs originate from superconducting cosmic string of same initial massM _i 10¹² M , the formation epochs are different, most of the quasars start atz _cutoff5.6. The most luminous QSOs start at later epochz _cutoff5.15. The present sky survey echniques may give us the possibility to see the formation of QSOs at apparent magnitudem _V 22.5 by chance of 0.3%.     

Photometry,polarimetry, and spectroscopy of AM Herculis variables

We report AAT observations of two southern AM Herculis variables, H0139-68 and E1405-451. H0139-68 was found to be in an unusually faint state (V17), and this has permitted the first measurement of the magnetic field of the white dwarf,B _p3×10⁷ G. Linear polarimetry of E1405-451 has revealed a substantial position angle variation with phase, corresponding to an orbital inclination of 60° and a colatitude of 20° for the magnetic pole of the white dwarf.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

The radiative relaxation time in the chromosphere

The cooling effect of emission in the spectral lines, which dominates over continuous emission in the chromosphere and becomes important first around the temperature minimum, modifies greatly the radiative relaxation timet _r in the solar atmosphere. This rises from low photospheric values to a maximum of 8 min just aboveT _min, falls in the low chromosphere to 1.5 min because of line emission, but rises again to 6 min atT 7000–8400 K in the chromosphere where hydrogen ionization increases the specific heat.     

Massive accretion disks

Recent high resolution near infrared (HST-NICMOS) and mm-interferometric imaging have revealed dense gas and dust accretion disks in nearby ultra-luminous galactic nuclei. In the best studied ultraluminousIR galaxy, Arp 220, the 2m imaging shows dust disks in both of the merging galactic nuclei and mm-CO line imaging indicates molecular gasmasses 10⁹M for each disk. The two gas disks in Arp 220 are counterrotating and their dynamical masses are 2×10⁹ M , that is, only slightly largerthan the gas masses. These disks have radii 100 pc and thickness 10-50 pc. The high brightness temperatures of the CO lines indicatethat the gas in the disks has area filling factors 25-50% and mean densitiesof 10⁴ cm^-3. Within these nuclear disks, the rate of massive star formation is undoubtedly prodigious and, given the high viscosity of the gas, there will also be high radial accretion rates, perhaps 10 M yr ^-1. If this inflow persists to very small radii, it is enough to feed even the highest luminosity AGNs.     

The densest prestellar condensations: H2CO Studies ofρ Oph B1

We present new images of the well-known molecular outflow and Herbig-Haro complex L 1551-IRS 5. Deep, high-resolution images of the central region of the flow in [SII] 6716,6731 and H (6565 Å) are complemented by a mosaic of much of the CO outflow in H₂ v=1-0 S(1). While the optical data trace the intermediate-to-high excitation shocks in the flow (v _shock > 30 – 50 km s^–1), the near-IR data reveal the lower-excitation, molecular shocks (v _shock 10–50 km s^–1). In particular, the H₂ data highlight the regions where the flow impacts and shocks ambient molecular gas.     

Generation of γ-bursts by old magnetic neutron stars

A model of -bursts is considered that treats the flares of neutron stars as a result of convectiveoscillation instability associated with the stars having strong internal magnetic fields ( 10¹³ to 10¹⁴ G). In the context of this model only sufficiently old (10⁴ to 10⁷ yr), drastically cooled-down neutron stars may be sources of -bursts. The paper shows that major characteristics of a -burster in the Supernova N 49 remnant (energy release during burst up to 10⁴⁴ erg, age 10⁴ yr, burst-to-burst interval (I to 3)×10⁶s; rotation period P=8 s) may be explained under the assumption that the mass of the neutron star is about 0.14M _· while its mean magnetic field strength is 1.5×10¹⁴ G abd 10¹³ G within the star and on its surface, respectively. The observational tests of the model discussed conclude the paper.