On the heat flow of a gravitationally-differentiated moon of fission origin

It is shown that the mean value for the heat flow of a gravitationally-differentiated Moon of fission origin is about 13 erg cm^?2 s^?1 and that the heat flow varies regionally from about 3 erg cm^?2s^?1 to more than 45 erg cm^?2s^?1. These regional variations in the heat flow are caused by a non-uniform distribution of K, U and Th in the KREEP zone at the crust-upper mantle boundary and the redistribution of crustal materials and K, U and Th rich KREEP materials by basin-forming impacts. The scale of these regional variations is hundreds of km. The models presented are in accord with the Apollo 15 and 17 heat flow measurements.     

The sources of material comprising a mass ejection coronal transient

The origin of the material which is ejected during a white light coronal transient has not been determined heretofore. Study of a disturbance on 26 and 27 August 1973, during which a slowly ascending prominence and a more rapid accompanying coronal transient were simultaneously observed, helps to resolve this question. Prominence images obtained in Hα 6563 Å and in He II 304 Å are nearly identical. The mass ejection transient observed in white light (3700–7000 Å) appeared to be a loop about 1 R_⊙ higher than the top of the ascending prominence; it accelerated away from the prominence below it. These observations imply: (1) the bulk of the ejected material did not originate in the ascending prominence; (2) therefore, most of the material must have come from the low corona above the prominence, (and was at coronal temperatures during its outward passage); and (3) the total event - ascending prominence accompanied by coronal mass ejection - was far larger, more energetic, and longer lasting than would be inferred from the prominence observations alone. The transient of 26–27 August was slow and of atypical shape compared to other mass ejection transients, but we believe that these three conclusions apply to most, if not all, of the more than 60 loop-shaped coronal transients observed by the High Altitude Observatory's coronagraph during the nine-month flight of Skylab.     

Book reviews

A phenomenological model of double galaxy dynamics is constructed, assuming a Bohr model for isolated point galaxies bound together in circular orbits by the Newtonian gravitational force. The model is tested by using experimental data from three, independent, random samples of isolated pairs. In each case, the data provides cautious support for the existance of gravitational Bohr orbits in double galaxies, with a mean cosmic Planck's constant/2π given by: $$\langle \hbar _g \rangle \approx 5 \times 10^{74} {\text{erg s }}{\text{.}}$$      

On 5694 Å coronal line observations

Coronal yellow line emission was observed by the Lyot coronagraph at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory. Line intensity is I = 45 erg cm^?2 s^?1 sr^?1 Å^?1, its half-width Δλ = 1.3 Å, electronconcentration n _e = 7.5 × 10⁹ cm^?3.     

Revivals of a coronal arch

The giant post-flare arch of 6 November 1980 revived 11 hr and 25 hr after its formation. Both these revivals were caused by two-ribbon flares with growing systems of loops. The first two brightenings of the arch were homologous events with brightness maxima moving upwards through the corona with rather constant speed; during all three brightenings the arch showed a velocity pattern with two components: a slow one (8–12 km^?1), related to the moving maxima of brightness, and a fast one (～ 35 km s^?1), the source of which is unknown. During the first revival, at an altitude of 100000 km, temperature in the arch peaked ～ 1 hr, brightness ～ 2 hr, and emission measure ～ 3.5 hr after the onset of the brightening. Thus the arch looks like a magnified flare, with the scales both in size and time increased by an order of magnitude. At ～ 100000 km altitude the maximum temperature was ?14 × 10⁶K, max.n _e? 2.5 × 10⁹cm^?3, and max. energy density ? 11.2 erg cm^?3. The volume of the whole arch can be estimated to 1.1 × 10³⁰ cm³, total energy ?1.2 × 10³¹ erg, and total mass ?4.4 × 10¹⁵g. The density decreased with the increasing altitude and remained below 7 × 10⁹ cm^?3 anywhere in the arch. The arch cooled very slowly through radiation whereas conductive cooling was inhibited. Since its onset the revived arch was subject to energy input within the whole extent of the preexisting arch while a thermal disturbance (a new arch?) propagated slowly from below. We suggest that the first heating of the revived arch was due to reconnection of some of the distended flare loops with the magnetic field of the old preexisting arch. The formation of the ‘post’-flare loop system was delayed and started only some 30–40 min later. Since that time a new arch began to be formed above the loops and the velocities we found reflect this formation.     

The shape of the small satellites of Saturn: Gravitational equilibrium vs solid-state strength

In the set of small satellites of Saturn recently imaged by the Voyager probes, we can observe the transition from irregularly-shaped, strength-dominated objects to larger, gravity-dominated bodies with shapes roughly fitting the theoretical equilibrium figures. The transition occurs for a radius of 100±50 km, corresponding to a typical material strength of the order of 10⁷ dynes cm^?2. We discuss briefly the cases of Mimas, Enceladus, Hyperion, Phoebe and the small coorbital and F-ring shepherding moons, showing that an analysis of the shape data can often provide interesting results on the physical properties, origin and collisional history of these objects.     

X-ray nova flares

In order to find out the physical nature of galactic X-ray sources, data on variability of 24 sources during 1964–1971 have been investigated. The fluxes of 9 sources are found to be increasing to the maximum value (for several months) and then slowly decreasing (for }3 yr). These 9 sources have been related by us to the class of X-ray novae. The X-ray nova synthetic light curve has been drawn from data on the fluxes of 9 discovered novae. Assumptions have been made on the physical nature of the X-ray novae. Between the flares the X-ray novae may be weak X-ray sources with luminosity about 10³⁴ erg s^?1. During the flares the luminosity increases to about 10³⁸ erg s^?1. The number of X-ray sources in the Galaxy is about 10⁴–10⁵, the average distance between them about 0.5 kpc. The object of the optical identification may be a dwarf star of no earlier spectral class than F.     

Spectral analysis of the optical continuum in the 24 April 1981 flare

Spectrograph and multiple-band polarimeter observations of the 24 April 1981 white-light flare indicate the presence of an optical continuum with intensity increasing strongly below 4000 Å. The flare emission (lines and continuum combined) is unpolarized and, at 3600 Å, exceeds the brightness of the background solar surface by 360%. Analysis of the spectrum between 3600 and 8200 Å, at a location three arc sec from the brightest point in the kernel, yields a probable temperature of 6700 K for the continuum emitting layer. The wavelength dependence of the continuum indicates emission by both negative hydrogen (H^?) and Balmer continuum, with the H^? probably originating in the upper photosphere at a height (above τ_{5000 Å} = 1) in the range 200–300 km. Analysis of the Balmer lines and continuum yields an electron density 5.3 × 10¹³ cm^?3 and a second-level hydrogen column density 1.1 × 10¹⁶ cm^?2. The peak radiative output integrated over wavelength is 6.1 × 10²⁷ erg s^?1. The observed continuum intensity, if originating at a height of 300 km, implies an energy loss rate of 10³ erg s^?1 cm^?3.     

Interpretation of vector magnetograph data including magneto-optic effects

In this paper, the presence of Faraday rotation in measurements of the orientation of a sunspot's transverse magnetic field is investigated. Using observations obtained with the Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) vector magnetograph, the derived vector magnetic field of a simple, symmetric sunspot is used to calculate the degree of Faraday rotation in the azimuth of the transverse field as a function of wavelength from analytical expressions for the Stokes parameters. These results are then compared with the observed rotation of the field's azimuth which is derived from observations at different wavelengths within the Fei 5250 Å spectral line. From these comparisons, we find: the observed rotation of the azimuth is simulated to a reasonable degree by the theoretical formulations if the line-formation parameter η _o is varied over the sunspot; these variations in η _o are substantiated by the line-intensity data; for the MSFC system, Faraday rotation can be neglected for field strengths less than 1800 G and field inclinations greater than 45°; to minimize the effects of Faraday rotation in sunspot umbrae, MSFC magnetograph measurements must be made in the far wings of the Zeeman-sensitive spectral line.     

Partial analysis of the flare-prominence of 30 April 1974

A portion of an east limb flare-prominence observed in Hα by NOAA/Boulder and NASA/ MSFC patrol facilities on 30 April 1974 is analyzed. Following a rapid (～2 min) achievement of a maximum mass ejection velocity of about 375 km s^?1, the ascending prominence reached a height of, at least, 2 × 10⁵ km. We use a one-dimensional, time-dependent hydrodynamic theory (Nakagawa et al., 1975) to compute the total mass (～2 × 10¹¹ g) and energy (～4 × 10²⁶erg) ejected during this part of this event. Theoretical aspects of the coronal response are discussed. We conclude that a moderate temperature and density pulse (factors of ten and two, respectively), for a duration of only 3 min, is sufficient for an acceptable simulation of the Hα observations and the likely coronal response to the ascending prominence and flare-related ejections. No attempt was made to simulate the additionally-important spray and surge features which probably contributed a higher level of mass and energy efflux.     

Soft X-ray reflectivity measurements of the mirrors flown on the Ariel-6 satellite

This paper describes the detailed calibration at soft X-ray energies (0.1–2.0 keV; 125 Å-6 Å) of gold coated, paraboloidal X-ray mirrors, four of which were subsequently flow on the Ariel-6 satellite. Uncertainties in the attitude of the satellite together with an apparent reduction in sensitivity of the soft X-ray experiment necessitated observations using the Crab Nebula as a reference. These showed that a dramatic reduction in the reflection efficiencies of all four mirrors had occurred, almost certainly after or during launch. An initial recalibration of the mirrors using the Crab observation is described.     

21 May 1980 flare review

A review is given of observations and theories relevant to the solar flare of 21 May, 1980, 20 ∶ 50 UT, the best studied flare on record. For more than 30 hr before the flare there was filament activation and plasma heating to above 10 MK. A flare precursor was present ≥6 min before the flare onset. The flare started with filament activation (20 ∶ 50 UT), followed by thick-target heating of two footpoints and subsequent ablation and convective evaporation involving energies of 1 to 2 × 10³¹ erg. Coronal explosions occurred at 20 ∶ 57 UT (possibly associated with a type-II burst) and at 21 ∶ 04 UT (associated with an Hα spray?). Post-flare loops were first seen at 20 ∶ 57 UT, and their upward motion is interpreted as a manifestation of successive field-line reconnections. A type-IV radio burst which later changed into a type-I noise storm was related to a giant coronal arch located just below the radio noise storm region. Some implications and difficulties these observations present to current flare theories are mentioned.     

Direct observations of a flare related coronal and solar wind disturbance

Numerous mass ejections from the Sun have been detected with orbiting coronagraphs. Here for the first time we document and discuss the direct association of a coronagraph observed mass ejection, which followed a 2B flare, with a large interplanetary shock wave disturbance observed at 1 AU. Estimates of the mass (2.4 × 10¹⁶ g) and energy content (1.1 × 10³² erg) of the coronal disturbance are in reasonably good agreement with estimates of the mass and energy content of the solar wind disturbance at 1 AU. The energy estimates as well as the transit time of the disturbance are also in good agreement with numerical models of shock wave propagation in the solar wind.     

A dynamo theory of solar flares

It is proposed that the solar flare phenomenon can be understood as a manifestation of the electrodynamic coupling process of the photosphere-chromosphere-corona system as a whole. The system is coupled by electric currents, flowing along (both upward and downward) and across the magnetic field lines, powered by the dynamo process driven by the neutral wind in the photosphere and the lower chromosphere. A self-consistent formulation of the proposed coupling system is given. It is shown in particular that the coupling system can generate and dissipate the power of 10²⁹ erg s^#X2212;1 and the total energy of 10³² erg during a typical life time (10³ s) of solar flares. The energy consumptions include Joule heat production, acceleration of current-carrying particles along field lines, magnetic energy storage and kinetic energy of plasma convection. The particle acceleration arises from the development of field-aligned potential drops of 10–150 kV due to the loss-cone constriction effect along the upward field-aligned currents, causing optical, X-ray and radio emissions. The total number of precipitating electrons during a flare is shown to be of order 10³⁷–10³⁸.     

Mid-infrared extinction coefficients of amorphous silicates

Mid-infrared extinction coefficients of five natural amorphous silicates and seven synthetic glasses were measured. Three bands at about 10, 12, and 20 μm were seen for all the measured samples. The quantities of these bands are found to have good correlations with the SiO₂ content of the samples. The correlations are the most remarkable for the 10 μm band. As the SiO₂ content decreases, the peak wavelengthλ _m shifts to longer side, the peak heightK _m decreases and the full width of half maximumW increases. A quantityλ _m K _m W is constant within 15%. Empirical formula $$\lambda_m (\mu m) = {11.10-2.30 x 10^-2} {[SiO_2 wt.\%]} \pm 0.15$$ and $$W(\mu m) = {5.14-4.68 x 10^- 2} {[SiO_2 wt.\%]} \pm 0.30$$ are obtained for the measured samples. Therefore, the correlation is present between the 10 μm peak wavelengthλ _m and peak widthW for amorphous silicates. The change in peak widthW is remarkable compared the change in peak wavelengthλ _m as the SiO₂ content varies. For the 12 μm band the correlations with the SiO₂ content are not so good. A tendency that theλ _m shifts to the red and theK _m lowers as the decreasing SiO₂ content are found. For the samples with SiO₂ content less than 50% the 12 μm band cannot recognized as the peak. For the 20 μm band, theλ _m is almost independent on SiO₂ content and theK _m lowers with decreasing SiO₂ content. The results are compared with the observed 10 μm band of the astronomical objects. A method to estimate the SiO₂ content of astronomical grain materials is proposed and 48±8% SiO₂ wt.% is found corresponding to the peak wavelength of 9.7 μm and the peak width of 2.5–3.0 μm of typical celestial objects.