A comparison of theoretical O iii line strengths with XUV solar observations from the S082A instrument on board Skylab

Relative level populations in Oiii, determined using R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates, are used to derive the theoretical emission line ratios R ₁ = I(525.80 Å)/I(599.62 Å), R ₂ = I(507.41 Å)/I(599.62 Å), R ₃ = I(507.71 Å)/I(599.62 Å), and R ₄ = I(508.18 Å)/I(599.62 Å). Electron temperatures deduced from the observed values of these ratios for several solar features obtained with the NRL S082A slitless spectrograph on board Skylab are in good agreement, and also compare favourably with that of maximum Oiii fractional abundance in ionisation equilibrium, logT _max = 4.96. These results provide experimental support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the line ratio calculations.     

Theoretical emission line strengths for Ne VII compared to EUV solar observations

Theoretical electron-temperature-sensitive Ne vii emission line ratios, calculated using accurate R-matrix electron impact excitation rates, are presented for R ₁ = I(895.2 Å)/I(465.2 Å), R ₂ = I(561.7 Å)/I(465.2 Å) and R ₃ = I(564.5 Å)/I(465.2 Å). A comparison of these with observational data for several solar features obtained with the Harvard S-055 spectrometer on board Skylab reveals good agreement between theory and experiment. This provides observational support for the accuracy of the atomic physics adopted in the calculations, and the methods employed in the derivation of the theoretical diagnostics.     

Si III electron temperature diagnostics for the solar transition region

R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates for transitions in Si iii are used to derive the electron-density-sensitive emission line ratios R ₁ = I(1113.2 Å)/I(1206.3 Å), R ₂ = I(1298.9 Å)/I(1206.3 Å), and R ₃ = I(1296.7 Å)/I(1206.3 Å). A comparison of these with observational data for several solar features obtained with the Harvard S-055 spectrometer on board Skylab reveals that theory and experiment are compatible if the electron temperature of the Si iii emitting region of the solar atmosphere is log T _e = 4.5, but not if log T _e = 4.7. The implication of the choice of a lower temperature on the electron energy distribution function is also briefly discussed.     

NIV line ratios in the Sun

Theoretical Niv emission line ratios, which incorporate several improvements over previous estimates, are presented for R ₁ = I(923.2 Å)/I(765.1 Å) and R ₂ = I(1718.6 Å)/I(1486.5 Å), which are electron density and temperature sensitive, respectively. A comparison of R ₁ with observational data for several solar features obtained with the Harvard S-055 spectrometer on board Skylab reveals generally good agreement between theory and observation, except for the quiet Sun, which is probably due to the 923.2 Å line being blended with an Feiii transition in this instance. The observed value of R ₂, determined from a quiet-Sun spectrum obtained by the S082-B spectrograph on board Skylab, implies an electron temperature in excellent agreement with that of maximum Niv fractional abundance in ionisation equilibrium, which provides observational support for the accuracy of the diagnostic calculations.     

Emission line ratios for C III in the sun

Theoretical electron-density-sensitive C III emission line ratios are presented forR ₁ =I(2s2p ³ P – 2p ^{2 3} P)/I(2s2p ¹ P – 2p ^{2 1} S) =I(1176 Å)/I(1247 Å),R ₂ =I(2s2p ³ P – 2p ^{2 3} P)/I(2s ^{2 1} S – 2s2p ³ P ₁) =I(1176 Å)/I(1908 Å), andR ₃ =I(2s2p ¹ P – 2p ^{2 1} S)/I(2s ^{2 1} S – 2s2p ³ P ₁) =I(1247 Å)/I(1908 Å). These are significantly different from those deduced previously, principally due to the adoption of improved electron impact excitation rates in the present analysis. Electron densities deduced from the present theoretical line ratios, in conjunction with observed values ofR ₁,R ₂, andR ₃ measured from solar spectra obtained by the Naval Research Laboratory's S082B instrument on boardSkylab, are found to be generally compatible. In contrast, previous diagnostic calculations imply electron densities fromR ₁,R ₂, andR ₃ that differ by up to two orders of magnitude. These results provide observational support for the accuracy of the atomic physics adopted in the present calculations, and the methods employed in the derivation of the theoretical line ratios.     

EMISSION LINES OF Ni XVIII IN THE SOLAR EUV SPECTRUM

Using electron excitation rates calculated with the R-matrix code, theoretical Nixviii electron-temperature-sensitive emission line ratios are presented for R ₁ = I(220.41 Å)/I(320.56 Å) , R ₂ = I(233.79 Å)/I(320.56 Å) , and R ₃ = I(220.41 Å)/I(292.00 Å) . A comparison of these with observational data for two solar flares, obtained by the Naval Research Laboratory's S082A slitless spectrograph on board Skylab, reveals good agreement between theory and observation for R ₁ and R ₂ in two spectra, which provides limited support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the analysis. However, several of the measured ratios are much larger than theory predicts, which is probably due mainly to saturation of the strong 292.00 and 320.56 Å lines on the photographic film used to record the S082A data. A comparison of our line ratio calculations with active region observations made by the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) indicate that a feature at 236.335 Å, identified as the Nixviii 3p ² P _3/2 - 3d ² D _3/2 transition in the SERTS data, is actually the Arxiii 2s ²2p ^{2 3} P ₀ - 2s2p ^{3 3} D ₁ line. The potential usefulness of the Nixviii line ratios as electron temperature diagnostics for the solar corona is briefy discussed.     

The Fe xii 195.1 Å/1242 Å emission line ratio in the solar corona

Recent R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in Fe xii are used to derive the theoretical emission line ratio R ₁ = I(195.1 Å)/I(1242 Å), which is potentially a useful electron density diagnostic for the solar inner corona (r 1.05 61-01). These results are found to be significantly different from the earlier estimates of Withbroe and Raymond (1984), but are in good agreement with the observed values of R ₁, for the quiet Sun and an active region. Adoption of the R-matrix atomic data for the 1242 Å line in the coronal iron abundance determination removes an existing discrepancy between results derived from the EUV transition and other iron lines in the solar XUV spectrum. The R-matrix calculations confirm the prediction of Withbroe and Raymond that the earlier discrepancies in R ₁ and the iron abundance were due to the 1242 Å line excitation rates being underestimated by a factor of ~2. Withbroe and Raymond's paper is, therefore, an excellent example of how astronomical observations can be used to accurately predict atomic physics data.     

Theoretical emission line strengths for the beryllium-like ion Sxiii compared to XUV observations of solar flares

A comparison of Skylab S082A observations for several solar flares with calculations of the electron temperature sensitive emission line ratio R ₁ = I(2s2p ¹ P – 2s ^{2 1} S)/I(2s2p ³ P ₁ - 2s ^{2 1} S) = = I(256.68 Å)/I(491.45 Å) in Be-like SXIII reveals good agreement between theory and experiment, which provides observational support for the accuracy of the adopted atomic data. However, observed values of the electron density sensitive ratio R ₂ = I(2s2p ¹ P – 2s ^{2 1} S)/I(2p ^{2 3} P ₂ - 2s2p ³ P ₂) = = I(256.68 Å)/I(308.96 Å) all lie below the theoretical high density limit, which is probably due to blending in the 308.96 Å line.     

Extreme Ultraviolet Emission Lines of ca xv in Solar and Laboratory Spectra

New R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in Caxv are used to derive theoretical electron density diagnostic emission line intensity ratios involving 2s ²2p ²–2s2p ³ transitions, specifically R ₁=I(208.70 Å)/I(200.98 Å), R ₂=I(181.91 Å)/I(200.98 Å), and R ₃=I(215.38 Å)/I(200.98 Å), for a range of electron temperatures (T _e=10^6.4–10^6.8 K) and densities (N _e=10⁹–10¹³ cm^–3) appropriate to solar coronal plasmas. Electron densities deduced from the observed values of R ₁, R ₂, and R ₃ for several solar flares, measured from spectra obtained with the Naval Research Laboratory's S082A spectrograph on board Skylab, are found to be consistent. In addition, the derived electron densities are in excellent agreement with those determined from line ratios in Caxvi, which is formed at a similar electron temperature to Caxv. These results provide some experimental verification for the accuracy of the line ratio calculations, and hence the atomic data on which they are based. A set of eight theoretical Caxv line ratios involving 2s ²2p ²–2s2p ³ transitions in the wavelength range 140–216 Å are also found to be in good agreement with those measured from spectra of the TEXT tokamak plasma, for which the electron temperature and density have been independently determined. This provides additional support for the accuracy of the theoretical line ratios and atomic data.     

Mgix emission lines in an active region spectrum obtained with the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)

Theoretical electron-temperature-sensitive Mgix emission line ratios are presented forR _I =I(443.96 )/I(368.06 ),R ₂ =I(439.17 )/I(368.06 ),R ₃ =I(443.37 )/I(368.06 ),R ₄ =I(441.22 )/I(368.06 ), andR ₅ =I(448.28 )/I(368.06 ). A comparison of these with observational data for a solar active region, obtained during a rocket flight by the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS), reveals excellent agreement between theory and observation forR ₁ throughR ₄, with discrepancies that average only 9%. This provides experimental support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the line ratio calculations, and also resolves discrepancies found previously when the theoretical results were compared with solar data from the S082A instrument on boardSkylab. However in the case ofR ₅, the theoretical and observed ratios differ by almost a factor of 2. This may be due to the measured intensity of the 448.28 line being seriously affected by instrumental effects, as it lies very close to the long wavelength edge of the SERTS spectral coverage (235.46–448.76 ).     

Ar XIII line ratios in solar flares

Theoretical ArXIII electron-density-sensitive emission line ratios, derived using electron impact excitation rates interpolated from accurateR-matrix calculations, are presented forR ₁ =I(242.22 )/I(236.27 ),R ₂ =I(210.46 )/I(236.27 ), andR ₃ =I(248.68 )/I(236.27 ). Electron densities deduced from the observed values ofR ₁,R ₂, andR ₃ for solar flares obtained with the NRL S082A slitless spectrograph on boardSkylab are in excellent agreement, and furthermore compare favorably with those determined from line ratios in CaXV, which is formed at a similar electron temperature to that of ArXIII. These results provide experimental support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the analysis, as well as for the techniques used to calculate the line ratios.     

Ca X line ratios in solar flares

Theoretical Ca X electron temperature sensitive emission line ratios, derived using electron excitation rates interpolated from accurateR-matrix calculations, are presented forR ₁ =I(419.74 )/I(574.02 ,),R ₂ =I(411.65 )/I(574.02 ),R ₃ =I(419.74 )/I(557.75 ), andR ₄ =I(411.65 )/I(557.75 ). A comparison of these with observational data for three solar flares, obtained by the Naval Research Laboratory's S082A slitless spectrograph on boardSkylab, reveals good agreement between theory and observation forR ₁ andR ₃ in one event, which provides limited support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the analysis. However, in the other flares the observed values ofR ₁ –R ₄ are much larger than the theoretical high-temperature limits, which is probably due to blending of the 419.74 line with Civ 419.71 , and 411.65 with possibly Ciii 411.70 .     

A Comparison of Theoretical Si VIII Emission Line Ratios with Observations from Serts

Recent R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in N-like Si VIII are used to derive theoretical emission line intensity ratios involving 2s ²2p ³–2s2p ⁴ transitions in the 216–320 Å wavelength range. A comparison of these with an extensive dataset of solar active region, quiet-Sun, sub-flare and off-limb observations, obtained during rocket flights of the Solar EUV Research Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS), indicates that the ratio R ₁= I(216.94 Å)/I(319.84 Å) may provide a usable electron density diagnostic for coronal plasmas. The ratio involves two lines of comparable intensity, and varies by a factor of about 5 over the useful density range of 10⁸–10¹¹ cm^?3. However R ₂= I(276.85 Å)/I(319.84 Å) and R ₃=I(277.05 Å)/I(319.84 Å) show very poor agreement between theory and observation, due to the severe blending of the 276.85 and 277.05 Å lines with Si VII and Mg VII transitions, respectively, making the ratios unsuitable as density diagnostics. The 314.35 Å feature of Si VIII also appears to be blended, with the other species contributing around 20% to the total line flux.

     

Theoretical Siiv line ratios compared to extreme ultraviolet solar observations

New theoretical electron temperature sensitive emission line ratios in Siiv involving the 3d ² D – 3p ² P and 4s ² S – 3p ² P multiplets at 1125 and 816 Å, respectively, are derived using recent R-matrix electron excitation rate calculations. A comparison of these with observational data for a solar active region at the limb obtained with the Harvard S-055 spectrometer on board Skylab reveals that there is good agreement between theory and observation for ratios that include the ² D _{3/2, 5/2} – ² P _3/2 transition at 1128.3 Å. This is in contrast to the findings of Keenan, Dufton, and Kingston (1986) and provides support for the atomic data adopted in the calculations. However, the ² D _3/2 – ² P _1/2 line at 1122.5 Å appears to be severely blended, as suggested previously by Burton and Ridgeley (1970) and Feldman and Doschek (1977), as it leads to electron temperature estimates that differ significantly from that expected in ionisation equilibrium. The fact that the I(1122.5 Å)/I(1128.3 Å) intensity ratios determined from several flare spectra are closer to theory than that for the active region indicates that the blending is probably due to species with relatively low ionization potentials, as noted by Flower and Nussbaumer (1975). Electron temperatures deduced for a sunspot are much lower than that predicted from ionisation balance calculations, in agreement with earlier results, and imply that a cooling flow may be present.     

The ratios I(K1)/I(H1) and I(K3)/I(H3) of ca II as diagnostics of the chromosphere above sunspots

The ratios I(K ₁)/I(H ₁) and I(K ₃)/I(H ₃) were calculated from four semi-empirical models of sunspot umbra. We determined the dependencies of both ratios of such parameters as temperature gradient and atmospheric opacity. A certain influence on the expected ratios I(K ₁)/I(H ₁) and I(K ₃)/I(H ₃) can also come from the FIP effect provided it exists in the chromosphere above sunspot umbra. Theoretical and observed values of I(K ₁)/I(H ₁) and I(K ₃)/I(H ₃) are compared. It is shown that for one of the sunspots we observed, the values obtained for the ratio I(K ₁)/I(H ₁) cannot be explained in terms of existing umbra models.     

Theoretical Ne v emission line ratios compared to solar observations

The recent level population calculations for Ne v by Aggarwal are used to determine the theoretical emission line ratios R ₁ = I(2s2p ^{3 1}D^o - 2s²2p^{2 1}D^e)/I(2s2p^{3 3}D ₂ ⁰ - 2s²2p^{2 3}P ₁ ^e ) and R ₂ = I(2s2p ^{3 1}D^o-2s²2p^{2 1}D^e)/I(2s2p ^{3 3}D ₃ ⁰ -2s²2p^{2 3}P ₂ ^e ). A comparison of these with observational data for a solar flare and erupting prominence obtained with the NRL XUV spectrograph on board Skylab reveals that R ₁ and R ₂ are in their predicted high density limits. Although the ratios cannot be used as density diagnostics for values of n _e typical of the solar transition region, it is shown that they are temperature sensitive and hence may be employed to determine the electron temperatures of Ne v line emitting regions.     

The O III 52 ▪m/88 ▪m emission-line ratio in planetary nebulae

R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in 0 III are used to derive the electron-density-sensitive emission-line ratioR = 1 (2s ² 2p ²³ P ₂-2s ² 2P ²³ P ₁)/I (2s ²2p ²³ P ₁ - 2s ²2p ²³ P ₀) =I (52μm)/I (88μm) for a range of electron temperatures(Te = 5000-20000 K) and densities(N _e =10–10 ⁵ cm⁻³) applicable to planetary nebulae. Electron densities deduced from the observed values ofR in several planetary nebulae are in excellent agreement with those deduced from C1 I and Ar IV, which provides support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the calculations.     

Improved theoretical line ratios for Ciii in the Sun

The recent twelve-state R-matrix calculations of electron excitation rates in Ciii by Berrington are used to derive level populations applicable to the solar transition region. Line ratios R = I(2p ^{2 3} P ^e - 2s2p ³ P ^°)/I(2s2p ¹ P ^° - 2s ^{2 1} S ^e ) and R ₂=I(2p ^{2 1} S ^e - 2s2p ¹ P ^°)/I(2p ^{2 3} P ^e - 2s2p ³ P ^°) deduced from these data in conjunction with the relevent transition probabilities are found to be in much better agreement with the observed quiet Sun values than those determined from the level population calculations of Keenan et al.     

Some physical considerations on NGC 1313

The ionized gas in NGC 1313 was studied by spectrophotometric means. The radial behaviour of theI(H)/I(6584),I(6717)/I(6731),N(Nii)/N(Hii), andN(Nii)/N(Sii) ratios and the deduced electron densities are discussed. The abundance ratiosN(N)/N(H) andN(N)/N(S) for the nucleus and two emission regions were also derived and compared with previous data.     

Interstellar Extinction and the Intrinsic Colors of Classical Cepheids in the Galaxy, the LMC, and the SMC

New methods are applied to samples of classical cepheids in the galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, and the Small Magellanic Cloud to determine the interstellar extinction law for the classical cepheids, R _B:R _V:R _I:R _J:R _H:R _K= 4.190:3.190:1.884:0.851:0.501:0.303, the color excesses for classical cepheids in the galaxy, E(B-V)=-0.382-0.168logP+0.766(V-I), and the color excesses for classical cepheids in the LMC and SMC, E(B-V)=-0.374-0.166logP+0.766(V-I). The dependence of the intrinsic color (B-V)₀ on the metallicity of classical cepheids is discussed. The intrinsic color (V-I)₀ is found to be absolutely independent of the metallicity of classical cepheids. A high precision formula is obtained for calculating the intrinsic colors of classical cepheids in the galaxy: (<B>-<V>)₀=0.365(±0.011)+0.328(±0.012)logP.