Observational study of the ‘post’-flare loops on June 4, 1991

A limb, two-ribbon H flare on June 4, 1991, associated with a white-light flare and followed by an emission spray and post-flare loops, is studied. A region of rapidly enhanced brightness at the bottom of the H ribbon above the white-light flare is revealed. The energy released by the white-light flare at _eff = 4100 is estimated to be about 1.5 × 10²⁸ erg s^–1.     

Understanding Solar Flare Waiting-Time Distributions

The observed distribution of waiting times t between X-ray solar flares of greater than C1 class listed in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) catalog exhibits a power-law tail (t) for large waiting times (t>10hours). It is shown that the power-law index varies with the solar cycle. For the minimum phase of the cycle the index is =–1.4±0.1, and for the maximum phase of the cycle the index is –3.2±0.2. For all years 1975–2001, the index is –2.2±0.1. We present a simple theory to account for the observed waiting-time distributions in terms of a Poisson process with a time-varying rate (t). A common approximation of slow variation of the rate with respect to a waiting time is examined, and found to be valid for the GOES catalog events. Subject to this approximation the observed waiting-time distribution is determined by f(), the time distribution of the rate . If f() has a power-law form for low rates, the waiting time-distribution is predicted to have a power-law tail (t)^–(3+) (>–3). Distributions f() are constructed from the GOES data. For the entire catalog a power-law index =–0.9±0.1 is found in the time distribution of rates for low rates (<0.1hours ^–1). For the maximum and minimum phases power-law indices =–0.1±0.5 and =–1.7±0.2, respectively, are observed. Hence, the Poisson theory together with the observed time distributions of the rate predict power-law tails in the waiting-time distributions with indices –2.2±0.1 (1975–2001), –2.9±0.5 (maximum phase) and –1.3±0.2 (minimum phase), consistent with the observations. These results suggest that the flaring rate varies in an intrinsically different way at solar maximum by comparison with solar minimum. The implications of these results for a recent model for flare statistics (Craig, 2001) and more generally for our understanding of the flare process are discussed.     

Scanner observations of comet P/Crommelin 18181

Spectral scans of the coma of comet P/Crommelin 1818. I have been obtained in the wavelength range 3200–6500 Å. Strong emission features of CN(3883 Å) and C₂ Swan bands (4695, 5165, and 5538 Å) have been identified. Some weak emission features of CH(3890 Å), C₃(4050 Å), CN(4200 »), and C₂ + CH(4358 ») were also detected. Sodium was found to be absent in this comet. An estimate of CN and C₂ abundances has been made and their production rate have been derived.     

Spectral and Photoelectric Studies of the Herbig Ae/Be Star HD 259431

Spectral and photoelectric (ubvy, H, H) observations of the Herbig Ae/Be star HD 259431 are reported. It is found that as its brightness fades, this star becomes bluer in the Paschen continuum and the intensity and equivalent width of the hydrogen emission lines increase. The spectral observations reveal significant variations in the intensity of the Mg II 4481 Å photospheric absorption line. A rise and fall in the luminosity by 0^m.04 within a period of 5-7 minutes was recorded. Radical variations in the H lineshape ("double" "P Cyg") and flare activity are not only observed in this star, but also in a number of HAEBE stars. It is suggested that flare activity may initiate a change in the velocity gradient at the base of the wind and, thereby, induce "double P Cyg" or "P Cyg single" transitions. The nonradial pulsations of this star are also discussed.     

Distribution of polarization and intensity of radiation across the stellar disk and numberical values of atmospheric characteristics governing this distribution

Computations of polarization and intensity of radiation from a unit stellar surface area are presented, as well as a study of the numerical characteristics of atmospheres — single-scattering albedo and the initial source function(), which define the polarization behaviour of atmospheres. The radiatively stable models of stellar atmospheres presented by Kuruczet al. (1974) and Kurucz (1979) have been used for calculations. Since the versus optical depth dependence is rather weak, it has been assumed that (=cost. With a fixed effective temperatureT _eff maximum values of are characteristic of stars featuring the lowest surface gravity accelerationg. Among stars with radiatively stable atmospheres, maximum values of (=5000 Å) 0.4–0.6 are exhibited by supergiants withT _eff=8000–20 000 K. The plot of () is characterized by discontinuities at the boundaries of spectral series for hydrogen and, sometimes, for helium. Maximum are attained in the Lyman region of =912–1200 Å, where can reach the value 0.7–0.9 for supergiants, this value being 0.3 for Main-Sequence stars. For stars withT _eff 35 000 K, high values of also are attained for <912 Å. Within the infrared region, is always small because of bremsstrahlung absorption.A rapid growth of the source functionB with < typical for ultraviolet range (within the Wien part of spectrum), together with high values of results in the strong polarization of emission from a unit stellar surface element, sometimes exceeding the values for the case of a pure electron scattering. For longer wavelengths, where the limb-darkening coefficient is smaller, the plane of polarization abruptly turns 90° in the central parts of the visible stellar disk.     

Lyman continuum observations of solar flares

A study is made of Lyman continuum observations of solar flares, using data obtained by the Harvard College Observatory EUV spectroheliometer on the Apollo Telescope Mount. We find that there are two main types of flare regions: an overall mean flare coincident with the H flare region, and transient Lyman continuum kernels which can be identified with the H and X-ray kernels observed by other authors. It is found that the ground level hydrogen population in flares is closer to LTE than in the quiet Sun and active regions, and that the level of Lyman continuum formation is lowered in the atmosphere from a mass column density m 5/sx 10^–6 g cm^–2 in the quiet Sun to m 3/sx 10^–4 g cm^–2 in the mean flare, and to m 10^–3g cm^–2 in kernels. From these results we derive the amount of chromospheric material evaporated into the high temperature region, which is found to be - 10¹⁵g, in agreement with observations of X-ray emission measures. A comparison is made between kernel observations and the theoretical predictions made by model heating calculations, available in the literature; significant discrepancies are found between observation and current particle-heating models.     

F07164+5301: an ESB source with WR features

We report on a new ESB source, as defined by Allenet al. (1991), with Wolf-Rayet (WR) bands in its optical spectrum. The WR bump at 4605-4686 is detected. The bump consists of broad HeII 4686, NV4605-4619, NIII4634-41, and possibly, CIII4647-52 emission. The narrow nebular lines are clearly discernable on our spectrum. The number of WR stars derived from the luminosity of HeII4686 is about 8100. The oxygen abundance is about 9.06×10^–4, greater than the solar value.     

On the wavelength dependency of solar limb darkening (λλ303 to 1099 nm)

The limb-darkening data published by Neckel and Labs (1994) (5th-order polynomials P ₅(), = cos ) are used to represent the limb darkening by the functions L _n(), proposed first by Kourganoff (1949a). When plotted against wavelength, the coefficients of these functions show a rather low scatter and appear to be linear functions of either ^–1 or ^#x2212;5.     

Comparison between some Hα and X-ray flares

In the present paper, H-evolutive curves of chromospheric events are compared with flux evolutive curves of X-ray events observed at the same time in different spectral regions. A correspondence between the emissions E(I _H/I _chr)'s at higher and higher H-intensity levels, and the X-ray fluxes F()'s in harder and harder -ranges is shown. Further, the present observations seem to indicate the existence of a single triggering mechanism during the flash-phase of a flare. It is also shown that these results may be in agreement with Brown's model for chromospheric flares.     

Inverse compton effect and the colorimetric characteristics of flare stars

It is shown that the observed color diagrams(U-B) _f (B-V) _f for pure flare emission of UV Cet type flare stars may be explained within the framework of a fast electron hypothesis. We point out the essential influence on these color indices of the two following factors: (a) the deviations of the normal radiation capability of the star in the infrared region of spectra (on 3.6 m, 4.4 m, and 5.5 m) from the Planckian distribution; (b) the location of the cloud (source) of fast electrons around the star (flare geometry effect). Under the real conditions of the generation of flares around the star the frequency transformation law at the photon-electron interaction has a view =n²₀, wheren may take the different values-from 0.15 up to 4; it depends on the cloud-star-observer geometry. By the observed colors of the flare emission may be understood, in principle, the location of flare source around the star. A possible role of reflection effect at the generation of stellar flares is outlined.     

Late-time emission of the type II Supernovae powered by the radioactive decay56Ni−56Co−56Fe

A one-zone model for the late time SN II energized by the radioactive decay⁵⁶Ni–⁵⁶Co–⁵⁶Fe is presented. The model succeeds in reproducing for the late time evolution of H and [Oi] 6300 emission lines in SN1970g for the reasonable set of parameters: mass of ejecta 4M , boundary velocityv ₀=4000 km s^–1 and amount of⁵⁶NiM _Ni=0.02M . However, a one-zone model does not account for the late time continuum. In the case of SN1980k the radioactive model fits H and [Oi] 6300 emissions att250 day satisfactory but fails at very late time, e.g.,t=670 day when the predicted value of the ratioL(H)/L(6300) is two orders of magnitude smaller than the observed one. We suggest that the strong H emission in SN1980k on the 670th day is due to the interaction of the supernova envelope with the pre-SN wind. The radioactive model for the late time SN II predicts strong Mgii 2800 line and detectable Hei 10830 line in emission and absorption.     

Cosmological parameters and redshift periodicity

This work is the continuation of the search for such a cosmological model using which the observed redshift distribution of galaxies in the sample of Broadhurstet al. (1990) turns out to be maximally periodic in the calculated spatial distance. In a previous work, Paálet al. (1992) have demonstrated that among theflat models with non-negative cosmological constant (e.e., vacuum density) the one with a vacuum: dust ratio 2:1 provides the optimum. Now we extend that study to the case of arbitrary space curvature and find equally good periodicity in a surprisingly wide range of models. By use of the dimensionless parameters ₀= ₀/ _crit and ₀=/3H ₀ ² acceptable periodicity is obtained forall points of the parameter plane within the strip between the parallel lines 0.83₀–0.30< ₀(₀)<0.83₀+0.85(₀<1.8), whilst the best periodicities appear along the line ₀=0.83₀+0.39 fitting to the previous optimum at ₀=1/3, ₀=2/3. Any nonpositive value of ₀ gives bad periodicity unless the space curvature is strongly negative and ₀<0.4. Fairly good periodicity is observed only in the range of the deceleration parameter –1.2q ₀<0.2, corresponding to a small or even negative total gravitational attraction and an expansion time-scale longer than usually expected.     

The ionization mechanism in low level emission galaxy nuclei: Shocks

We analyze the emission component of galaxy nuclei at very low intensity levels (W(H)2Å). This emission level is considerably lower than that of classical LINERS like NGC 1052. We have access to weaker emission lines by averaging spectra with similar line ratios for H [NII], and [SII]. From the resulting spectrum for very low level emission nuclei, the [SII] 6717, 6731/[SIII] 9069, 9532 line ratio criterion (Diazet al., 1985a) unambiguously shows that shock-wave heating is the mechanism responsible for the ionization in such objects.     

The solar continuum from 900 to 130 000 Å and the photospheric temperature model

In order to obtain a better agreement between observed and computed values of the solar intensity, an improved temperature distribution is deduced for the range 0.02<0< 10. The intensity observations here considered refer to the wavelength region between 1980 and 129 500, and the center-limb variations generally go down to cos = 0.1. The improved model, given in Figure 4 and Table II, differs rather little from the Utrecht 1964 model, used here as a reference.It appears necessary to introduce an empirical correction function to be applied to the continuous absorption coefficient. This function was derived for the spectral region between 2000 and 130000 Å; it is shown in Figure 5.Furthermore, an extension of the model (1.10^–7<0< 2.10^–2) is deduced (see Table III and Figure 8), which reasonably well represents the observations of the ultraviolet solar flux ( 900–1700 Å).     

Post-flare loops of 26 June 1992

We observed the large post-flare loop system, which developed after the X 3.9 flare of 25 June 1992 at 2011 UT, in H with the Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass Spectrograph at Pic-du-Midi and in X-rays with the it Yohkoh/SXT instrument. Following the long-term development of cool and hot plasmas, we have determined the emission measure of the cool plasma and, for the first time, the temporal evolution of the hot-loop emission measure and temperature during the entire gradual phase. Thus, it was possible to infer the temporal variation of electron densities, leading to estimates of cooling times. A gradual decrease of the hot-loop emission measure was observed, from 4 × 10³⁰ cm^–5 at 2300 UT on 25 June 1992 to 3 × 10²⁸ cm^–5 at 1310 UT on 26 June 1992. During the same period, the temperature decreased only slowly from 7.2 to 6.0 × 10⁶ K. Using recent results of NLTE modeling of prominence-like plasmas, we also derive the emission measure of cool H loops and discuss their temperature and ionisation degree. During two hours of H observations (11–13 hours after the flare) the averaged emission measure does not show any significant change, though the amount of visible cool material decreases and the volume of the loops increases. The emission measure in H, after correction for the Doppler-brightening effect, is slightly lower than in soft X-rays. Since the hot plasma seems to be more spatially extended, we arrive at electron densities in the range n _infe ^supho n _infe ^supcool 2 × 10¹⁰ cm^–3 at the time of the H observations.These results are consistent with the post-flare loop model proposed by Forbes, Malherbe, and Priest (1989). The observed slow decrease of the emission measure could be due to an increase of the volume of the loops and a gradual decrease of the chromospheric ablation driven by the reconnection, which seems to remain effective continuously for more than 16 hours. The cooling time for hot loops to cool down to 10⁴ K and to appear in H would be only a few minutes at the beginning of the gradual phase but could be as long as 2 hours at the end, several hours later.     

The asymptotic behavior of the supersonic solutions of the two-fluid solar wind equations

Three different asymptotic branches of the two-fluid equations are found with _e ^m , _p ⁿ , where, is the inverse distance from the Sun, with (m, n) = (2/7, 2/7), (2/7, 6/7), (4/3, 4/3); other special solutions are also found but they correspond to special choices of density and temperature at the corona. In all the (4/3, 4/3) solutions, the electron and proton temperatures tend to equality at large distances.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

High-frequency radiation from a particle falling into a Kerr black hole

The high-frequency electromagnetic and gravitational radiation from a relativistic particle falling into a Kerr and Schwarzschild black hole is considered. The spectral and angular distributions of the radiation power are calculated by the WKB technique to Teukolsky's equations. The spectra obtained have a characteristic exponential cut-off at the frequency = _char. which is proportional to the particle Lorentz factor =(1–v ²/c²)^–1/2. At the frequencies as low as those compared with _char. both electromagnetic and gravitational spectra are flat. The amount of the energy emitted in the low-frequency modes of the radiation depends strongly on the radiation spin. It is proportional to ln for the electromagnetic and to ³ for the gravitational radiation.     

Les raies du triplet de l'helium de la Nova Delphini 1967

The aim of this paper has been to study the neutral helium triplet emission lines identified in the spectrum of the envelope of Nova Delphini. By comparing the observed flux of the neutral helium lines with that calculated theoretically by Robbins, we find that the optical thickness in the center of the line 3889 is of the order of 21.50 for summer 1969. The optical thickness obtained by this method is here denoted _tran(3889).On the other hand, we obtain the number of neutral helium atoms in the 2³S state [N(2³S)] by considering the equilibrium between the mechanisms that populate and depopulate this state. We then find that the depopulation by photoionization due to the radiation of Ly (Hi), transitions to the 2¹S, 2¹p and 2³p states by electron collision, photoionization due to the continuum radiation of the central star, are 82.70%, 13.20%, 2.40%, 0.90% and 0.80% respectively. We find that the mechanism of the photoionization by Ly is the dominant mechanism of depopulation of 2³S state. We calculated ( 3889) of the order of 82.37, fromN(2³S), obtained in the preceding paragraph. The optical thickness obtained by this method is here denoted _bal(3889).The difference between _tran(3889) and _bal(3889) is very large and it cannot be attributed to calculation errors. We have considered all the mechanisms that can depopulate the 2³S state, so we then conclude that the difference between _tran(3889) and _bal(3889) is due to the heterogeneity of the envelope of the Nova, already found by us in our previous study of the profiles of the permitted and forbidden lines. Finally, we find from this study a filling factor of the order of 0.30.     

Spectral investigation of some Be stars for NRP variability

Spectroscopic observations of the Be stars Eri, Oph, 66 Oph, and Ori for the period 1982–1988 are reported. The NRP hypothesis was verified on the ground of rapid line profile variability, radial velocities, and equivalent widths. The star Eri is pulsating in bothl=2 andl=8 with period 0 _. ^d 7. Pulsation in modesl=2 andl=4 are observed in Hei profiles of Oph for May 1982. For radial velocities has been obtained a period 0 _. ^d 913. The H and H lines of 66 Oph for April–August 1983 are in emission state with two clearly expressed components with intensity variations. All the parameters measured have the same period of variation — 0 _. ^d 025. For Ori variations in line profiles for component Ab have been observed and a period of 0 _. ^d 463 found for the radial velocities.     

A comparison of solar EUV intensities and K-coronameter measurements

Characteristics of the emission observed above the solar limb in four EUV lines, Sixii 499, Mgx 625, Neviii 770, and Ovi 1032 are discussed. The mean temperature of the corona derived from the ratios of the intensities of Sixii 499 and Mgx 625 is 1.8 million K. There do not appear to be significant temperature differences in regions with low EUV intensities and those with high EUV intensities, suggesting that the EUV emission from the lithium-like ions depends primarily on the integral of n _e ² along the line of sight.The EUV data are compared with K-coronameter measurements in order to yield new estimates of the abundances of Si, Mg, Ne and O relative to hydrogen. Within the uncertainties of the analysis, these coronal abundances are in agreement with the corresponding photospheric values.