Non-linear stability of L 4 in the restricted problem when the primaries are finite straight segments under resonances

The non-linear stability of L ₄ in the restricted three-body problem when both primaries are finite straight segments in the presence of third and fourth order resonances has been investigated. Markeev’s theorem (Markeev in Libration Points in Celestial Mechanics and Astrodynamics, 1978) is used to examine the non-linear stability for the resonance cases 2:1 and 3:1. It is found that the non-linear stability of L ₄ depends on the lengths of the segments in both resonance cases. It is also found that the range of stability increases when compared with the classical restricted problem. The results have been applied in the following asteroids systems: (i) 216 Kleopatra–951 Gaspara, (ii) 9 Metis–433 Eros, (iii) 22 Kalliope–243 Ida.     

Photometric and polarimetric studies of three W UMa-type binaries: FZ Ori,V407 Peg and LP UMa

We present analyses of new optical photometric observations of three W UMa-type contact binaries FZ Ori, V407 Peg and LP UMa. Results from the first polarimetric observations of the FZ Ori and V407 Peg are also presented. The periods of FZ Ori, V407 Peg and LP UMa are derived to be 0.399986, 0.636884 and 0.309898 d, respectively. The O?C analyses indicate that the orbital periods of FZ Ori and LP UMa have increased with the rate of 2.28×10^?8 and 1.25×10^?6 d?yr^?1, respectively and which is explained by transfer of mass between the components. In addition to the secularly increasing rate of orbital period, it was found that the period of FZ Ori has varied in sinusoidal way with oscillation period of ～30.1 yr. The period of oscillations are most likely to be explained by the light-time effect due to the presence of a tertiary companion. Small asymmetries have been seen around the primary and secondary maxima of light curves of all three systems, which is probably due to the presence of cool/hot spots on the components. The light curves of all three systems are analysed by using Wilson-Devinney code (WD) and the fundamental parameters of these systems have been derived. The present analyses show that FZ Ori is a W-subtype, and V407 Peg and LP UMa are A-subtype of the W UMa-type contact binary systems. The polarimetric observations in B, V, R and I bands, yield average values of polarization to be 0.26±0.03, 0.22±0.02, 0.22±0.03 and 0.22±0.05 per cent for FZ Ori and 0.21±0.02, 0.29±0.03, 0.31±0.01 and 0.31±0.04 per cent for V407 Peg, respectively.     

A re-analysis of the eclipsing binary system VV Orionis

The observations of VV Ori inUBV and inuvby obtained by Chambliss in 1975–79 have been re-analyzed with the use of an updated version of the WINK program of Wood. Several solutions were obtained using the normal points (ca. 80 per light curve). These establish fairly reliable values for the linear limb-darkening coefficient of VV Ori A and approximate values for the luminosity of the third component of this system. Attempts to determine non-linear coefficients of limb darkening for the primary component, however, proved to be unsuccessful. Solutions were also obtained using all observations (ca. 620 per light curve). Very close agreement was found between the values of the geometric elements determined from these solutions and those determined by use of the normal points only. The solutions based on all observations produced reliable values foru ₁, the limb darkening coefficient of VV Ori A, (typically, 0.30±-0.04). These results are in good agreement with theoretical limb darkening coefficients derived from model atmospheres calculations. The contribution of VV Ori C to the light of the system was also ascertained, and it was found that this could be best interpreted, if this component has a spectral type of A3V. The other orbital elements of VV Ori were also discussed, and the differences between the various solutions were noted. Since VV Ori A is one of the very few early-type stars for which reliable limb-darkening coefficients can be empirically determined, this system is viewed as being of considerable importance.     

Measurement of the relative composition of the Cosmic-ray iron group with Lexan polycarbonate

Relative abundances for the VH group of Cosmic Radiation (20≤Z≤28) at energiesE≤600 MeV nucl^?1 have been measured by means of plastic detector LEXAN. The stack was exposed to cosmic rays during a 82 hr balloon flight at Sioux Falls (South Dakota) at an average altitude equivalent to 4 g cm^?2 of residual atmosphere. A total number of 1058 events have been analyzed, out of which 675 have been unambiguously identified. Two different discrimination methods have been applied in order to test their influence on final spectra. Extrapolation to the top of the atmosphere has been achieved in the frame of the regular model including an energy loss term that has led to corrections of the order of 60% in the extrapolated abundances. The relative abundances so obtained are in reasonable agreement with those reported by other authors using electronic detectors. Abnormal high abundances of manganese and cobalt can be attributed to wide temperature variations during the registration interval. In spite of the poor mass resolution, a high abundance of⁵⁴Fe has been evidenced, indicating a non-stellar origin for cosmic iron.     

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.     

Variability and possible rapid evolution of the hot post-AGB stars Hen 3-1347, Hen 3-1428, and LSS 4634

We present the results of spectroscopic and photometric observations for three hot southern-hemisphere post-AGB objects, Hen 3-1347 = IRAS 17074-1845, Hen 3-1428 = IRAS 17311-4924, and LSS 4634 = IRAS 18023-3409. In the spectrograms taken with the 1.9-m telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in 2012, we have measured the equivalent widths of the most prominent spectral lines. Comparison of the new data with those published previously points to a change in the spectra of Hen 3-1428 and LSS 4634 in the last 20 years. Based on ASAS data, we have detected rapid photometric variability in all three stars with an amplitude up to 0 _· ^m 3-0 _· ^m 4 in the V band. A similarity between the patterns of variability for the sample stars and other hot protoplanetary nebulae is pointed out. We present the results of UBV observations for Hen 3-1347, according to which the star undergoes rapid irregular brightness variations with maximum amplitudes ΔV = 0 _· ^m 25, ΔB = 0 _· ^m 25, and ΔU = 0 _· ^m 30 and shows color-magnitude correlations. Based on archival data, we have traced the photometric history of the stars over more than 100 years. Hen 3-1347 and LSS 4634 have exhibited a significant fading on a long time scale. The revealed brightness and spectrum variations in the stars, along with evidence for their enhanced mass, may be indicative of their rapid post-AGB evolution.     

Areas of Polar Coronal Holes from 1996 Through 2010

Polar coronal holes (PCHs) trace the magnetic variability of the Sun throughout the solar cycle. Their size and evolution have been studied as proxies for the global magnetic field. We present measurements of the PCH areas from 1996 through 2010, derived from an updated perimeter-tracing method and two synoptic-map methods. The perimeter-tracing method detects PCH boundaries along the solar limb, using full-disk images from the SOlar and Heliospheric Observatory/Extreme ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SOHO/EIT). One synoptic-map method uses the line-of-sight magnetic field from the SOHO/Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) to determine the unipolarity boundaries near the poles. The other method applies thresholding techniques to synoptic maps created from EUV image data from EIT. The results from all three methods suggest that the solar maxima and minima of the two hemispheres are out of phase. The maximum PCH area, averaged over the methods in each hemisphere, is approximately 6 % during both solar minima spanned by the data (between Solar Cycles 22/23 and 23/24). The northern PCH area began a declining trend in 2010, suggesting a downturn toward the maximum of Solar Cycle 24 in that hemisphere, while the southern hole remained large throughout 2010.     

Observations and interpretation of the close binary system CG Cyg

Photometric observations of the short-period (RS CVn-type) eclipsing binary system CG Cyg have been presented. Two sets of results, obtained from an analysis of theB, V andR light curves, represent ‘occultation’ and ‘transit’ solutions. The occultation solution is preferred as it gives a better fit to the colour curve. This hypothesis may also offer a more promising explanation of the observed peculiarities such as period changes and the light variation outside eclipses.     

A note on the composition and structure of interstellar grains

Gürtleret al. (1981) argue that SiO could not be the material responsible for the interstellar 10 micron feature as had been proposed by Duleyet al. (1979). While Millar (1982) has quite successfully refuted the arguments of Gürtleret al. (1981), we present here some additional considerations which indicate that the model of Duleyet al. (1979) requires appreciable modification to be consistent with recent experimental results.     

Adaptive optics at short wavelengths

The First Light Adaptive Optics (FLAO) system has been successfully commissioned at the Large Binocular Telescope. It delivers extreme adaptive optics performance using bright natural guide stars reaching 90 % Strehl Ratios in H-band. Observations with current adaptive optics systems are limited to the near infrared wavelengths, in these bands the diffraction limited resolution of the largest ground-based telescopes (8–10 meter class) is comparable to the one of the much smaller Hubble Space Telescope that observes in the visible bands. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of an adaptive optics system designed to achieve very high order correction at visible wavelengths (0.5 to 0.8 μ m) with significant sky coverage. Upgrading the FLAO design with a low noise CCD relaxes the reference magnitude limit needed to achieve greater performance. In particular, we demonstrate that a gain of 1–2 magnitudes is possible by upgrading the wavefront sensor with a very low read out noise CCD. For future AO systems, in addition to low noise CCDs, deformable (secondary) mirrors with a higher actuator density will be able to move the high order correction capability from the near infrared to the visible wavelengths (Strehl Ratio of 80 % in R (0.7 μ m), 60 % in V (0.5 μ m)). We investigate, by means of numerical simulation, the gain in imaging performance obtained at Near Infrared, Visible, and UV wavelengths. The results of these simulations have been used to derive the empirical relation between Strehl Ratio and magnitude of the reference star and we then use this relationship to perform a detailed sky coverage analysis based on astronomical catalog data. The detailed simulations of the Point Spread Functions allow us to compute Ensquared Energy and Strehl Ratio for the magnitude working range of such an Adaptive Optics system. We present the results of the instrumental isoplanatic angle determination. We then used these values to compute the relationship between correction level and the off-axis angle from the reference star. The Strehl Ratio relationship with the reference magnitude and the angular distance provides the information needed to perform the sky-coverage analysis, which demonstrates that the designed system is able to provide V and R bands correction on a not negligible few percent of the sky.     

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.     

A study of line widths and kinetic parameters of ions in the solar corona

Solar extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lines emitted by highly charged ions have been extensively studied to discuss the issue of coronal heating and solar wind acceleration. Based on observations of the polar corona by the SUMER/SOHO spectrometer, this paper investigates the relation between the line widths and kinetic parameters of ions. It is shown that there exists a strongly linear correlation between two variables (σ/λ)² and M ^?1, where σ, λ and M are the half-width of the observed line profile at \(1/\sqrt{e}\) , the wavelength and the ion mass, respectively. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients exceed 0.9. This finding tends to suggest that the ions from a given height of polar corona have a common temperature and a common non-thermal velocity in terms of existing equation. The temperature and non-thermal velocity are obtained by linear least-square fit. The temperature is around 2.8 MK at heights of 57″ and 102″. The non-thermal velocity is typical 21.6 km?s^?1 at height of 57″ and 25.2 km?s^?1 at height of 102″.     

Physical parameters of the Orion Bar photodissociation region from radio recombination line observations at 8 mm

Observations of carbon (C), hydrogen and helium (H, He) radio recombination lines (RRLs) at four positions in the Orion Bar photodissociation region (PDR) and toward the center of Orion A have been performed with the RT-22 radio telescope (Pushchino) at 8 mm. The physical parameters of the PDR at these points have been estimated by comparing the carbon RRLs and infrared CII and OI lines. A hydrogen number density in the range 1.2–3.1 × 10⁵ cm^?3 and a mean size of the region along the line of sight (L) in the range 0.006–0.04 pc have been derived. The PDR temperature decreases with increasing distance from the exciting star (θ ¹ C Ori) from 210–230 to 140–150 K (a distance of ≈5′). The data obtained confirm the increase in the PDR size along the line of sight toward the Orion Bar, where, however, L has turned out to be less than the available values in the literature, which can be explained by the presence of clumps in the PDR. A density jump is evident in the Orion Bar region. The PDR zone encompasses the core of the HII region by a thin layer and extends farther, delineating the boundary and the ionization front of the core of the HII region in the Orion Bar and further out the boundary between the halo of the HII region and the molecular cloud. The derived emission measure (EM) toward the Orion Bar has been compared with other C RRL observations. The EM measured from carbon RRLs is EM ≈ 100(±50%) pc cm^?6, imposing constraints on the possible two-component PDR structure. Estimates show that the star θ ¹ C Ori is quite sufficient as a carbon ionization source in the Orion Bar PDR. Some of the data on the ionized hot gas (HII) in this direction have been obtained from H and He RRLs. In particular, the radial velocities (V _lsr) of the HII region are blueshifted with respect to V _lsr of the PDR by 10–17 km s^?1, while the relative ionized helium abundance decreases with increasing distance from the star, indicating that the helium ionization zone is smaller than the ionized hydrogen one.     

Stellar content and distances to the isolated spiral galaxies NGC 6503 and NGC 6946

Based on archival Hubble Space Telescope images, we have performed stellar photometry of several fields in the isolated spiral galaxies NGC 6503 and NGC 6946 with high peculiar velocities. Based on the TRGB method, we have determined the distances to the galaxies: D = 6.30 ± 0.10 Mpc for NGC 6503 and D = 6.72 ± 0.15 Mpc for NGC 6946. The current stellar content of the galaxies does not differ from that of other similar galaxies. The metallicity for young stars in NGC 6503 is Z = 0.02 (corresponding to the solar metallicity), while the metallicity for stars in NGC 6946 reaches Z = 0.05. Very few old globular clusters have been found in NGC 6946, while they have not been found at all in NGC 6503. The number density distribution of stars with different ages in NGC 6503 does not differ from the analogous distributions in other galaxies. The large sizes of the thick disk in NGC 6503, which is clearly seen up to 6 kpc from the galactic disk plane and whose possible extension is noticeable up to 8.6 kpc from the plane, are a difference. The sizes of the region occupied by red giants of the disk in NGC 6503 are 51 × 17 kpc, which are not much larger than the sizes of this galaxy from H I radio observations.     

The cooling of a sunspot

This paper considers the recent criticism by Mullan (1973) of sunspot models and the cooling mechanism which I have proposed in Papers I, II and III of this series. The discussion of the cooling produced by an idealized flow cycle has been extended to include vertical temperature gradients which are consistent with a convectively unstable atmosphere. This leads to an expression for Mullan's parameter f (the ratio in which estimates of the energy flux based on an idealized Carnot cycle should be reduced) which is appropriate to this situation. It is shown that, for a cycle similar to that of Paper III, f = 0.82, while for one which has a vertical extent of order 5 Mm, f= 0.4. Hence the energy flux which, in principle, can be transported away from a sunspot by such a cycle is conservatively estimated to be 1.1 × 10²⁹ erg s^?1 compared with a typical sunspot energy deficit of 2.2 × 10²⁹ erg s^?1. Other criticisms relating to the magnetic field amplification and the ‘cool one’ model are discussed. It is concluded that the essential features of these models remain valid and that the modifications suggested by Mullan's criticism greatly increase their applicability to the sunspot problem.     

Sunspots and physics of magnetic flux tubes overstability and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a magnetic field

We have studied the dynamical properties of convective overstability and Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in a vertical magnetic field with a downdraft. The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and overstability produce the upward downward propagating Alfvén waves depending upon the magnitudes of the kinematic viscosity coefficient (eddy viscosity) ν, and thermometric conductivity κ. It is found that the instability may be driven by the density stratification and the effect of the eddy viscosity is to make the system stable. We discuss also the interaction of the overstability inx<0 and the downdraft inx>0, and the overstability at a vertical boundary of the field.     

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.     

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.