H2215-086/FO AQR: The "king" of intermediate polars spins down

Our 5-color photometric observations of the intermediate polar H2215-086/FO Aqr which were collected between 1982 and the end of 1985 reveal that the 20.9 min rotational periodincreases with a spin-down rate of (1.0±0.2) 10^–10 ss^–1. This is in marked contrast to the spin-up behaviour of other well studied DQ Her systems.The pulse profile of the optical modulation as a function of wavelength changes drastically across the Balmer jump suggesting the presence of two distinct components of pulsed optical emission which furthermore are shifted in phase with respect to the X-ray maxima observed with EXOSAT.The UV, optical and IR flux distribution can adequately be accounted for by an accretion disc model with a mass-flow rate = 10¹⁷ g s^–1 and an inner boundary which is 10 times larger than the radius of the white dwarf. Our results support the magnetic accretion torque theory worked out by Ghosh and Lamb which can account for both spin-up and spin-down of the accreting star depending on the value of the fastness parameters _s.We derive a magnetic moment 1.0 10³³ G cm³ which will allow H2216-086 to evolve into an AM Her system once it has crossed the 2–3 h period gap.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.     

Spectroscopic Studies of the Solar Corona – V. Physical Properties of Coronal Structures

Spectra around the 6374 Å [Fex] and 7892 Å [Fexi] emission lines were obtained simultaneously with the 25-cm coronagraph at Norikura Observatory covering an area of 200 ×500 of the solar corona. The line width, peak intensity and line-of-sight velocity for both the lines were computed using Gaussian fits to the observed line profiles at each location (4 ×4 ) of the observed coronal region. The line-width measurements show that in steady coronal structures the FWHM of the 6374 Å emission line increases with height above the limb with an average value of 1.02 mÅ arc sec^–1. The FWHM of the 7892 Å line also increases with height but at a smaller average value of 0.55 mÅ arc sec^–1. These observations agree well with our earlier results obtained from observations of the red, green, and infrared emission lines that variation of the FWHM of the coronal emission lines with height in steady coronal structures depends on plasma temperatures they represent. The FWHM gradient is negative for high-temperature emission lines, positive for relatively low-temperature lines and smaller for emission lines in the intermediate temperature range. Such a behaviour in the variation of the FWHM of coronal emission lines with height above the limb suggests that it may not always be possible to interpret an increase in the FWHM of emission line with height as an increase in the nonthermal velocity, and hence rules out the existence of waves in steady coronal structures.     

Gas Dissipation from the Protosatellite Disk of Jupiter

We consider the dissipation of the gaseous component from the gas–dust accretion disk of Jupiter in which the Galilean satellites were formed. The thermal dissipation of hydrogen and helium is shown to be ineffective. It could ensure the loss of gas only for a low-mass disk and only if the rarefied outer layers of the disk are heated to 10⁴ K. Such a high disk temperature is not reached through Jupiter's radiation in existing models of its formation, but it could be provided by UV radiation of the early Sun after the dissipation of the protoplanetary disk. The viscous dissipation (with a viscosity parameter 10^–3 in the -disk model) related to disk accretion onto Jupiter could disperse a low-mass disk in 10⁷ years. A magnetocentrifugal mechanism, which produced a disk wind during accretion capable of carrying away 0.1 of the accreted gas mass, was probably also involved in the dispersal of the Jovian disk. Differential dispersion, with the loss of only hydrogen and helium and the retention of water vapor and heavier gases in the disk, is possible only in a low-mass disk model. We conclude that the water contained in the Galilean satellites was brought in mainly by solid planetesimals captured into the disk during mutual inelastic collisions in Jupiter's sphere of influence.     

Rapid mass accretion in the symbiotic star AG Dra

The mass accretion process onto the hot component of AG Dra and its explosive phenomena are discussed. The hot component seems to be a massive white dwarf (M>1 M). The mass accretion rate is estimated to be about 10^–7M/year. Many properties of the explosive phenomena agree with those of mild hydrogen flashes expected from this rapid mass accretion.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.     

Об устойчивости лагранжевых решений пространственной эллиптической задачи трех тел

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Stability of the librational triangular points of the three-dimensional elliptic restricted three-body problem is studied. The problem is solved in the non-linear statement at the small values of eccentricity.For all values ofe, , besides ones which correspond to the resonances of the third and the fourth order the librational points are stable taking into account the terms up to the fourth order in the normal form of the Hamiltonian function of the perturbed motion.At sufficiently smalle and the non-stability in sense of Liapunov has been proved. The approximate equations of the boundary of the stability area in the planee, has been obtained. The cause of the non-stability is an equality of the rotational period of the principal attracting masses in the elliptic orbit and the period of oscillation of indefinitely small mass along the direction perpendicular to the plane of their motion.

     

On the solution of the radiative transfer equations for polarized radiation

A general formalism is presented to obtain an analytical solution of the radiative transfer equations for polarized radiation when the absorption Mueller matrix for the Stokes parameters is constant along the ray-path. The formalism is then applied to find an analytical approximation of the Stokes parameters profiles for a typical chromospheric line having an optical-depth dependence of the source function of the form S() = ( + )^1/2(1 + )^1/2.     

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.     

Search for variability in hydrogen-poor stars

The evolutionary status of hydrogen-poor stars is analyzed.Photoelectric observations of six objects are reported as a first step of a long-term project devoted to search for variability of a large sample of hydrogen-poor stars.The observed stars show phenomena of microvariability with an amplitude of the order of 0^m. 1 or less.Two extreme helium stars have been examined: a period in the range of 0^d.162-0^d.164 has been found for BD+ 10⁰2179, andP=0^d.1079962 for BD+13⁰3324.The mass-losing O subdwarf (sdO) BD+37⁰ 443 presents short-term fluctuations with a time-scale of several minutes and long-term variations on a scale of months. The standard sdO BD+75⁰325 is probably non-variable, although light variations of very small amplitude (m0.03) with a time-scale of about 1 hr might be present. The high gravity sdO BD+25⁰4655, which is very close to the white dwarf stage, also presents variability on a time-scale of about 13 minutes, and might be an analog of the recently discovered pulsating sdO, or hot white dwarf, PG 1159-035.The variability of the intermediate helium star HD 37776 is finally confirmed.     

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.     

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 May 1985 superoutburst of OY Carinae: I. Structure of the outer disk from optical and IR observations

We present optical and IR observations of the dwarf nova OY Car during the May 1985 superoutburst. From them we find that the superhump has a temperature of 8000K and an area of order half the size of the red dwarf or accretion disk. We also compare the behaviour during two simultaneous optical/IR observations. Whilst the light curves in the two pass bands are similar during one observation, in the other observation they show marked differences that may be due to a cool region in the outer disk.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.     

Hydrogen and helium spectra in large magnetic fields

The energy levels and wave functions of hydrogen and helium atoms in the presence of large (10⁷G) magnetic fields are found by assuming that the eigenvalues and eigenvectors may be approximated by those of a truncated Hamiltonian matrix. In these atoms, fields of this size produce, in addition to the usual Paschen-Back effect, a quadratic Zeeman effect. This contributes an upward shift to the energy of all levels, which at sufficiently high fields dominates the Paschen-Back splitting.The behavior of a number of eigenvalues and wave functions as a function of magnetic field is presented. The effects of the field on the wavelengths and strengths of the components of H and the helium lines 4471, 4026 and 4120 as well as the forbidden 4025 are examined. In hydrogen the lines are split into components attributed to the now nondegenerate transitionsnlm _lnlm_l. In helium forbidden lines are excited, which may develop strengths larger than those of the allowed lines.     

VLA observations of a radio plage at centimeter wavelengths

VLA observations of a solar plage region at 6 and 20 cm wavelengths are presented. The high frequency 6 cm emission correlates well with the associated sunspots, whereas 20 cm emission shows good correlation with the H plage. Large temperature variations over a period of one day are observed in the plage associated component without any significant changes in the sunspots. The dominant emission mechanisms at 6 and 20 cm are found to be gyroresonance radiation and bremstrahlung respectively. It is concluded that the coronal condensation above the chromospheric H plage has an electron density of 5 × 10⁹ cm^–3 and it extends to a height of 5 × 10⁴ km.     

A radiation model for the vela pulsar

We model the Vela emission in radio, optical and gamma wavelengths. We assume that radio emission occurs near the polar axis deep in the magnetosphere. Optical and gamma radiation arises through ordinary synchrotron mechanisms in a wide hollow cone, near the light cylinder. Fitting of observed frequencies and luminosities in the gamma and optical give reasonable plasma parameters, and indicate that field-plasma pressure balance breaks down before the light cylinder, as required by the picture. Some optical coherence is necessary if we attribute both radio and optical emission to the same species of particles, with 100, but it is not required otherwise. Gamma-ray pulses arise from 10⁵ electrons. We suggest a single-pole orthogonal rotor picture which might account for the Vela pulse phases.     

Optical Identifications of IRAS Point Sources Based on Low-Dispersion FBS Spectra. Stars. V

A fifth list of point sources from the IRAS Point Source Catalog (PSC) that are optically identified with stars of late spectral types is given. The list contains data on 75 objects. The identifications were based on the Digital Sky Survey (DSS), the First Byurakan Survey, blue and red maps of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey, and infrared fluxes at the wavelengths 12, 25, 60, and 100 m in the regions of +73° +80° and 03^h30^m 18^h30^m and of +80° +90° and 00^h00^m 20^h00^m. Of the 99 objects, which are given in the IRAS PSC as unidentified sources of infrared emission, 24 are associated with known stars in existing catalogs while 75 sources proved to be unknown in the optical range. The optical coordinates, their departures from the IR coordinates, the V stellar magnitudes, the color indices CI, and the preliminary spectral subtypes have been determined. The objects have optical magnitudes in the range of 6 ^m .5-17 ^m .2. Finder charts from the DSS are given for the 69 new objects.     

On physical properties of solar spicules

New observations of solar spicules at Pulkovo, made simultaneously in 4 spectral regions, are described. The profiles of the H, D3, H, H and K lines were derived for 23 spicules.The spicules occur usually in narrow bundles and can be resolved into separate objects only due to a dispersion of radial velocities inside the bundle. The spicules in D3 are diffuse with faint interspicular emission.The emission of hydrogen, helium and Caii originate in different parts of spicules with different radial and turbulent velocities. The core of a spicule with Caii emission is a narrow rope several tens of km in diameter for the normal section. The optical thickness of a spicule in H is approximately 1.0 and the atomic density varies from 10¹¹ to 10¹² cm^–3.The helium emission in spicules seems to be produced by different mechanisms, one of them being the external radiation of corona and subcoronal matter.The model of a solar spicule is discussed.     

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.     

Planetary accretions in jet streams

The problem of planetary accretion in a jet stream is studied using the model developed by Alfvén and Arrhenius. We find that there are basically three types of planetary accretion: namely, fast process _c < _i , slow process _c ~ _i and delayed process _c > _i where _c is the characteristic time of the occurrence of catastrophic accretion and _i the time-scale of mass injection to the planetary system (3×10⁸ yr). These different time scales of accretion are found to be closely related to the primordial thermal profiles and equatorial inclinations of the planets. Finally, Venus' retrograde rotational spin is shown to be a possible result of accretion process in a jet stream.     

A full cycle in the evolution of a classical nova

A classical nova model was evolved through a complete cycle, i.e. accretion leading to cutburst, mass loss and again accretion, ending in another outburst, by means of an implicit Lagrangian hydrodynamic code, which included diffusion (concentration, pressure and thermal terms), as well as an extensive nuclear reactions network between 28 isotopes of C, N, O, F, Ne, Na, Mg and Al. The initial model was a 1.25 M C–O white dwarf (WD) and the accretion rate assumed was 10^–11 M/yr. For more details of this calculation, see Prialnik (1986).The accreted matter was assumed to have normal composition (X=0.70, Z=0.03). Nevertheless, due to diffusion and convection, a significant amount of core material was mixed into the accreted matter, raising Z by a factor of 10. The model's evolution closely resembled that of a fast nova eruption, with a peak bolometric luminosity of 2.9×10⁵ L, a time of decline by 3^m of 25 days, an ejected mass of 6.5×10^–6 M and a maximum velocity of 3800 km/sec.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.     

Zeeman features from accretion columns in AM Herculis-type systems

Absorption features seen in the bright phase spectra of E1405-451 are identified with Zeeman features of H originating from cool (T10⁴–10⁵°K) material surrounding the accretion shock. The presence of apparently unshocked material surrounding the cyclotron emission region is surpring and may indicate that accretion occurs onto a larger fraction of the stellar surface than had previously been thought possible.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.