红外波段太阳观测技术方法研究

1m红外太阳塔是我国未来重点发展的地面太阳观测设备，本文的所有工作均围绕着与此相关的红外波段太阳观测技术方法展开。1．针对望远镜实验平台－云台太阳光谱仪，建立了光谱仪分光流量,工用多种实验手段验证了其可靠性。利用该模型计算了Fe Ⅰ1.56μm红外太阳光 谱的分光流量，分析了实验观测的可行性及改进方案。2．针对探测器实验平台－PtSi红外焦平面阵列相机，建立了FeⅠ1.56μm光谱观测信噪比模型，模拟了各种噪声对观测的影响。在此基础上，在国内首次成功进行了FeⅠ1.56μm红外太阳光谱的面阵观测实验。3．在红外观测实验所处的高背景低对比度条件下，讨论了红外太阳光谱观测的图像处理方法，分析了观测中出现的干涉条纹的来源及解决办法，初步建立起了一整套红外太阳光谱与成像的定标方法和图像处理方法。4．首次利用PVA材料，设计研制了一套FeⅠ1.56μm近红外Stokes参量偏振仪，并将该偏振仪安装在美国国立天文台McMath望远镜上进行了观测实验。针对一太阳黑子，通过扫描进行了二维的Stokes参量观测。同时建立了一套从Stokes参量反演磁矢量场的方法，并将反演的结果与怀柔太阳磁场望远镜的观测结果进行了比对。5．针对1m红外太阳塔的太阳光谱仪系统，给出了垂直多波段光谱仪和红外大色散光谱仪的光、机初步设计。6．针对1m红外太阳塔的科学目标，提出了多波段光谱仪探测器系统方案，对红外大色散光谱仪所使用的红外探测器也进行了初步方案设计。     

NVST垂直双光谱切换扫描系统

1 m新真空太阳望远镜(New Vacuum Solar Telescope, NVST)的科学目标之一是对太阳活动区域进行二维光谱扫描观测。基于1 m新真空太阳望远镜多波段光谱仪(Multi-Band Spectrometer, MBS)和大色散光谱仪(High Dispersion Spectrometer, HDS)提出了垂直双光谱切换扫描系统,可实现相互垂直的两个光谱仪的光谱扫描观测任务,并实现两个光谱仪之间的切换。分析了光谱扫描观测的原理和过程,结合终端仪器系统的具体构造,完成了扫描系统的光机结构设计和装调分析,并对扫描系统进行了性能测试,包括系统稳定性、扫描直线度以及扫描步幅精度。测试结果满足预期功能需求和精度要求,为后续1 m新真空太阳望远镜进行常规光谱扫描观测提供了支持。     

8m中国巨型太阳望远镜偏振光学设计

望远镜的仪器偏振是影响太阳磁场测量的重要因素,为了获得精确的太阳磁场信息,对大型太阳望远镜光学系统进行偏振优化设计非常必要.针对8 m中国巨型太阳望远镜(Chinese Giant Solar Telescope, CGST)的偏振设计需求,提出了基于四镜偏振补偿结构的望远镜折轴光学系统设计方案.基于偏振光线追迹方法,分析了该方案仪器偏振在望远镜光瞳和视场上的分布特性以及视场分布特性随望远镜运动和波长的变化.结果表明,在HeI 1.083μm和FeI 1.565μm磁敏谱线所在的近红外波段, CGST仪器偏振满足2×10^-4测量精度要求的“无偏振视场”为0.91′,而在可见光波段该“无偏振视场”为0.5′.     

一米新真空太阳望远镜光谱扫描观测系统设计

1 m新真空太阳望远镜(New Vacuum Solar Telescope,NVST)是国内用于对太阳进行观测和研究的大型科研设备,针对太阳活动区光谱观测的需求,在现有的大色散光谱仪及多波段光谱仪基础上,设计了光谱扫描设备,并基于C#设计了一套观测控制系统软件,实现扫描设备的运动控制和观测数据的采集。进行光谱扫描观测时,计算机控制扫描设备步进运动,并利用图像采集卡通过Camera Link总线采集CCD/CMOS相机的探测数据,基于多线程技术采集观测数据,将采集的图像数据存储成FITS(Flexible Image Transport System)文件,并将光谱图像数据处理成灰度图像用于软件界面监视。此套软件已用于1 m太阳望远镜光谱扫描观测,测试结果满足预期功能需求,为后续观测系统功能升级提供了良好的扩展性。     

宽波段傅里叶变换太阳光谱仪等光程差采样系统设计

太阳成像光谱探测是诊断太阳大气磁场和热力学参数的主要手段. 傅里叶变换太阳光谱仪(Fourier Transform Solar Spectrometer, FTSS)具有宽波段的优势, 是当前中红外高分辨率太阳光谱探测的最佳选择. FTSS通过采集目标辐射等光程差干涉图, 反演获得光谱图, 等光程差采样的间隔决定了反演光谱波长范围. 因此从FTSS宽波段光谱观测对不同等光程差采样间隔需求出发, 基于现场可编程门阵列(Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA)技术, 采用全数字分频、倍频方案, 设计了一套宽波段FTSS等光程差采样系统. 采用分布式余数补偿方法, 有效解决了在参考激光干涉信号倍频过程中, 输出采样信号在输出信号周期间误差累积问题, 并降低了输出采样信号的误差及非均匀性; 经功能仿真及实验测试, 系统在200Hz--50kHz频率范围内, 频率误差delta $<$ 0.04%, 可有效满足FTSS的300nm--25μm宽波段的光谱观测数据采集需求, 为后续可见和红外波段FTSS的研制奠定了技术基础.     

NVST多通道成像观测系统的数据同步采集

为了在1 m红外太阳望远镜多通道高分辨率成像观测系统中实现多个波段太阳图像的同步高分辨率统计重建,需要1 m太阳望远镜多个观测通道图像采集系统同步。研究了如何采用CCD相机外触发工作模式、计算机PCI总线硬件中断技术和全球定位系统时间相结合实现1 m太阳望远镜多个观测通道图像的同步采集,并在现有的Hα和Ti O两个成像观测通道上搭建实验平台。通过一系列的波形时序测试,数据记录和分析等实验证明本文所采用的这一数据同步采集技术能满足1 m太阳望远镜多个观测通道图像的同步采集要求。     

抚仙湖一米新真空太阳望远镜6米近红外光谱仪装调及太阳1.56微米光谱的初步观测结果

主要介绍了抚仙湖1 m新真空太阳望远镜(the 1-meter New Vacuum Solar Telescope,NVST)6 m水平式近红外光谱仪的安装过程和实测结果。主要讨论内容是光路设计特点、光学系统的装调以及利用该光谱仪对活动区NOAA 11662黑子进行的初步近红外光谱实测(波长1.56μm附近)。成功观测到由黑子强磁场造成的Fe I 1.56μm谱线裂变现象,并初步估算了磁场强度。该光谱的成功装调和使用,充分实现了对9 m光谱仪光学系统的整体检测,为9 m光谱仪的安装调试提供了宝贵的经验和参考。     

一米新真空红外太阳望远镜多波段光谱仪光谱弯曲分析

在太阳长狭缝光谱观测中,光谱的狭缝方向和色散方向应该分别与CCD探测器的两个边缘平行。但实际上,由于狭缝、光栅、CCD探测器的机械安装精度等原因,会造成他们之间的位置关系不匹配,导致得到的太阳光谱总是存在一定的倾斜和变形。即使有时这些倾斜很微小,也会对太阳光谱的平场计算造成严重影响,从而影响整个光谱数据的处理过程。对抚仙湖1 m新真空红外太阳望远镜多波段光谱仪得到的一组Hα光谱数据的倾斜量做了测量和分析,并讨论了其对太阳光谱平场计算的影响。     

云南天文台太阳光谱望远镜偏振分析器检验

介绍了利用云南天文台水平式太阳光谱仪对太阳光谱望远镜偏振分析器进行检验的情况。检验得到的太阳黑子Ｉ、Ｑ、Ｕ、Ｖ四个斯托克斯轮廓与理论轮廓的特征相近,表明该偏振分析器达到了设计要求,用它可以获得太阳黑子的所有斯托克斯参量。     

云南天文台太阳光谱望远镜偏振分析器检验

介绍了利用云南天文台水平式太阳光谱仪对太阳光谱望远镜偏振分析器进行检验的情况。检验得到的太阳黑子Ｉ,Ｑ,Ｕ,Ｖ四个斯托克斯轮廓与理论轮廓的特征相近,表明该偏振分析器达到了设计要求,用它可以获得太阳黑子的所有斯托克斯参量。     

Instructions for authors

正Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics publishes original research papers and reviews 011 all liranchcs of astronoiriy and astrophysics.Reviews arc by invitation only.Important new results that require rapid publication can be submitted as a Letter(Letters must be restricted in length     

A thermodynamic model of high temperature lava vaporization on Io

We modified the MAGMA chemical equilibrium code developed by Fegley and Cameron (1987, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 82, 207-222) and used it to model vaporization of high temperature silicate lavas on Io. The MAGMA code computes chemical equilibria in a melt, between melt and its equilibrium vapor, and in the gas phase. The good agreement of MAGMA code results with experimental data and with other computer codes is demonstrated. The temperature-dependent pressure and composition of vapor in equilibrium with lava is calculated from 1700 to 2400 K for 109 different silicate lavas in the ONaKFeSiMgCaAlTi system. Results for five lavas (tholeiitic basalt, alkali basalt, Barberton komatiite, dunite, and a molten type B1 Ca, Al-rich inclusion) are discussed in detail. The effects of continuous fractional vaporization on chemistry of these lavas and their equilibrium vapor are presented. The predicted abundances (relative to Na) of K, Fe, Si, Al, Ca, and Ti in the vapor equilibrated with lavas at 1900 K are lower than published upper limits for Io's atmosphere (which do not include Mg). We predict evaporative loss of alkalis, Fe, and Si during volcanic eruptions. Sodium is more volatile than K, and the Na/K ratio in the gas is decreased by fractional vaporization. This process can match Io's atmospheric Na/K ratio of 10±3 reported by Brown (2001, Icarus 151, 190-195). Silicon monoxide is an abundant species in the vapor above lavas. Spectroscopic searches are recommended for SiO at IR and mm wavelengths. Reactions of metallic vapors with S- and Cl-bearing volcanic gases may form other unusual gases including MgCl₂, MgS, MgCl, FeCl₂, FeS, FeCl, and SiS.     

Instructions for authors

正Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics publishes original research papers and reviews on all branches of astronomy and astrophysics.Reviews are by invitation only.Important new results that require rapid publication can be submitted as a Letter(Letters must be restricted in length to 6 printed pages).Authors who submit a paper are expected to be able to certify that the paper is original work,     

Alkali and halogen chemistry in volcanic gases on Io

We use chemical equilibrium calculations to model the speciation of alkalis and halogens in volcanic gases emitted on Io. The calculations cover wide temperature (500-2000 K) and pressure (10⁻⁶ to 10⁺¹ bars) ranges, which overlap the nominal conditions at Pele (T=1760 K, P=0.01 bars). About 230 compounds of 11 elements (O, S, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, F, Cl, Br, I) are considered. The elemental abundances for O, S, Na, K, and Cl are based upon observations. CI chondritic elemental abundances relative to sulfur are used for the other alkalis and halogens (as yet unobserved on Io). We predict the major alkali species in Pele-like volcanic gases and the percentage distribution of each alkali are LiCl (73%), LiF (27%); NaCl (81%), Na (16%), NaF (3%); KCl (91%), K (5%), KF (4%); RbCl (93%), Rb (4%), RbF (3%); CsCl (92%), CsF (6%), Cs (2%). Likewise the major halogen species and the percentage distribution of each halogen are NaF (88%), KF (10%), LiF (2%); NaCl (89%), KCl (11%); NaBr (89%), KBr (10%), Br (1%); NaI (61%), I (30%), KI (9%). We predict the major halogen condensates and their condensation temperatures at P=0.01 bar are NaF (1115 K), LiF (970 K); NaCl (1050 K), KCl (950 K); KBr (750 K), RbBr (730 K), CsBr (645 K); and solid I₂ (200 K). We also model disequilibrium chemistry of the alkalis and halogens in the volcanic plume. Based on this work and our prior modeling for Na, K, and Cl in a volcanic plume, we predict the major loss processes for the alkali halide gases are photolysis and/or condensation onto grains. Their estimated photochemical lifetimes range from a few minutes for alkali iodides to a few hours for alkali fluorides. Condensation is apparently the only loss process for elemental iodine. On the basis of elemental abundances and photochemical lifetimes, we recommend searching for gaseous KCl, NaF, LiF, LiCl, RbF, RbCl, CsF, and CsCl around volcanic vents during eruptions. Based on abundance considerations and observations of brown dwarfs we also recommend a search of Io's extended atmosphere and the Io plasma torus for neutral and ionized Li, Cs, Rb, and F.     

The climatic and physiographic controls of the eastern Mediterranean over the late Pleistocene climates in the southern Levant and its neighboring deserts

Modern-day synoptic-scale eastern Mediterranean climatology provides a useful context to synthesize the diverse late Pleistocene (60–12 ka) paleohydrologic and paleoenvironmental indicators of past climatic conditions in the Levant and the deserts to its south and east. We first critically evaluate, extract, and summarize paleoenvironmental and paleohydrologic records. Then, we propose a framework of eastern Mediterranean atmospheric circulation features interacting with the morphology and location of the southeast Mediterranean coast. Together they strongly control the spatial distribution of rainfall and wind pattern. This cyclone–physiography interaction enforces the observed rainfall patterns by hampering rainfall generation south and southeast of the latitude of the north Sinai coast, currently at 31°15′.The proposed framework explains the much-increased rains in Lebanon and northern Israel and Jordan as deduced from pollen, rise and maintenance of Lake Lisan, and speleothem formation in areas currently arid and semiarid. The proposed framework also accounts for the southward and eastward transition into semiarid, arid, and hyperarid deserts as expressed in thick loess accumulation at the deserts' margins, dune migration from west to east in the Sinai and the western Negev, and the formation of hyperarid (< 80 mm yr^− 1) gypsic–salic soils in the southern Negev and Sinai. Our climatic synthesis explains the hyperarid condition in the southern Negev, located only 200–250 km south of the much-increased rains in the north, probably reflecting a steeper rainfall gradient than the present-day gradient from the wetter Levant into its bordering southern and eastern deserts.At present, the rainiest winter seasons in Lebanon and northern and central Israel are associated with more frequent (+ 20%), deeper Cyprus Lows traversing the eastern Mediterranean at approximately the latitude of southern Turkey. Even these wettest years in northern Israel do not yield above average annual rainfall amounts in the hyperarid southern Negev. This region is mainly influenced by the Active Red Sea Troughs that produce only localized rains. The eastern Mediterranean Cyprus Lows also produce more dust storms and transport higher amounts of suspended dust to the loess area than any other atmospheric pattern. Concurrent rainfall and dust are essential to the late Pleistocene formation of the elongated thick loess zone along the desert northern margin. Even with existing dust storms, the lack of rain and very sparse vegetation account for the absence of late Pleistocene loess sequences from the southern Negev and the formation of hyperarid soils.When the north Sinai coast shifted 30–70 km northwest due to last glacial global sea level lowering, the newly exposed coastal areas supplied the sand and dust to these active eastern Mediterranean cyclones. This enforced the latitude of the northern boundary of the loess zone to be directly due east of the LGM shoreline. This shift of coast to the northwest inhibited rainfall in the southern Levant deserts and maintained their hyperaridity. Concurrently, frequent deep eastern Mediterranean Cyprus Lows were funneled along the northern Mediterranean increasing (probably doubling) the rains in central and northern Israel, Lebanon, southwestern Syria and northern Jordan. These storms and rains formed lakes, forests, and speleothems only a short distance north of the deserts in the southern Levant.     

Active hot star shells

Interferometry in the visible provides milliarcsecond spatial resolution and thus has been used for studying the circumstellar environment of active hot stars. In this paper I will illustrate how the visibility modulus and phase can be used to better constrain the physics of Be disks through results from the VLA, the MkII and the GI2T interferometers. I will insist on the importance and the potential of coupling high angular resolution with high spectral resolution to the study of Be shells. Finally I will present a possible study of the circumstellar disk of Be stars using the VLTI. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fitting X-ray Afterglow Light curves of Gamma-ray Bursts by Using the Magnetar Energy Injection Model

The central compact object for some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) may be a strongly magnetized millisecond pulsar. It can inject energy to the outer shock of the GRB by through the magnetic dipole radiation, and therefore causes the shallow decay of the early afterglow. Recently, from a large number of GRB X-ray afterglows observed by Swift/XRT(X-ray telescope), it is revealed that many of them exhibit the shallow decay about 10²∼10⁴ s after the burst prompt emission. We have fitted the X-ray afterglow light curves of 11 GRBs by using the energy injection model of a magnetar with the rotation period in the millisecond order of magnitude. The obtained result shows the validity and universality of the magnetar energy injection model in explaining the shallow decay of afterglows, and simultaneously provides some constraints on the magnetic field strength and rotation period of the central magnetar.     

Natural superrotation of a rarefied planetary atmosphere

We consider the kinetics of a rarefied rotating planetary atmosphere. The spatial distributions of the atmospheric-gas density and mean angular velocity were determined by analyzing the exact solution of the two-dimensional kinetic equation. We show that the angular velocity of the gas at some distance from the planet could be higher than that in the initial layer starting from which the atmosphere is rarefied. Our model calculations elucidate the superrotation mechanism under consideration.