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.     

A comparison of theoretical Fe xii emission line strengths with EUV observations of a solar active region

New theoretical electron-density-sensitive Fe xii emission line ratios $$R_1 = I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 {}^4P_{5/2} )/I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 D_{5/2} )$$ and $$R_2 = I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 {}^2D_{5/2} )/I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s3p^2 P_{3/2} )$$ are derived using R-matrix electron impact excitation rate calculations. We have identified the Fexii \(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 {}^4P_{5/2} ,{\text{ }}3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{3/2} - 3s^3 3p^4 {}^2D_{5/2} ,{\text{ }}3s^2 3p^3 S_{3/2} - 3s^2 3p^3 P_{3/2} \) and \(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{1/2}\) transitions in an active region spectrum obtained with the Harvard S-055 spectrometer on board Skylab at wavelengths of 364.0, 382.8, 1241.7, and 1349.4 Å, respectively. Electron densities determined from the observed values of R ₁ (log N _e ? 11.0) and R ₂(log N _e ? 11.4) are significantly larger than the typical active region measurements, but are similar to those derived from some active region spectra observed with the Skylab 2082A instrument, which provides observational support for the atomic data adopted in the line ratio calculations, and also for the identification of the Fe xii transitions in the S-055 spectrum. However the observed value of R ₃ = I(1349.4 Å)/I(1241.7 Å) is approximately a factor of two larger than one would expect from theory which, considering that the 1349.4 Å line lies at the edge of the S-055 wavelength coverage, may reflect errors in the instrument efficiency curve. Another possibility is that the 1349.4 Å transition is blended, probably with Si ii 1350.1 Å.     

Theoretical emission line ratios for O vii in low-density plasmas

New electron excitation rates for O vii calculated by Tayal and Kingston using the R-matrix method are used to determine theoretical emission line strengths. Values of the electron density sensitive ratio R (forbidden line to intercombination line) are found to be very similar to those deduced by other authors. However the temperature sensitive ratios G (intercombination plus forbidden lines to resonance line) are approximately 20% lower than the best previous estimates. The observed value of G for solar active regions (G = 1.0 ± 0.1) predicts an electron temperature in the range 1.1 × 10⁶ K < T _e < 1.8 × 10⁶ K, which overlaps that of maximum O vii emissivity, T _M = 1.8 × 10⁶ K. In addition, the theoretical G versus T _e curve is in excellent agreement with that observed for a Tokamak plasma.     

Mass Balance Reconstruction Since 1963 and Mass Balance Model for East Rathong Glacier,Eastern Himalaya,Using Remote Sensing Methods

In this study mass balance, accumulation, ablation, runoff and temperature lapse rate for the East Rathong glacier are estimated for the time period 1963–2011 using remote sensing methods and climate data. A mass balance model is proposed for the glacier that computes mass balance as difference of volumes of consecutive years. Volume estimates of glacier are based on application of volume–area scaling law to glacier area computed from satellite images. It is observed that the glacier is summer‐accumulation type. Time series analysis is applied to the annual mass balance series. The annual mass balance of the glacier is showing a statistically significant negative trend. It is also showing a statistically significant shift in the year 1985. Change in the mean of mass balance before and after the shift year is 0.19 m w.e. Cumulative mass balance suggests that the glacier has lost ～11 m w.e. or 0.047 km³ during the last 48 years.     

Theoretical Neix line ratios compared to solar observations

R-matrix calculations of the 1¹S - 2³S and 1¹S - 2³P electron excitation rates in He - like Cv, Ovii, and Mgxi by Kingston and Tayal are used to interpolate results for Neix. Adoption of these in emission line strength calculations leads to values for the density-sensitiveR ratio very similar to those of Pradhanet al. and Wolfsonet al., although the temperature-sensitiveG ratios are approximately 10 to 20 % lower than those deduced by these authors. However the present theoretical value ofG at the temperature of maximum Neix emission,G(T _m) = 0.82, is in excellent agreement with those observed by the SMM and P78-1 satellites for the 1980, November5 flare (G = 0.83 ± 0.01) and nonflaring active regions (G = 0.80 ± 0.05), respectively.     

Predictions of future hydrological conditions and contribution of snow and ice melt in total discharge of Shigar River Basin in Central Karakoram, Pakistan

The high mountains of Hindu-Kush Karakoram and Himalaya(HKKH) contain a large volume of snow and ice, which are the primary sources of water for the entire mountainous population of HKKH. Thus, knowledge of these available resources is very important in relation to their sustainable use. A Modified Positive Degree Day Model was used to simulate daily discharge with the contribution of snow and ice melt from the Shigar River Basin, Central Karakoram, Pakistan. The basin covers an area of 6,921 km2 with an elevation range of 2,204 to 8,611 m a.s.l.. Forty percent of the total area is glaciated among which 20% is covered by debris and remaining 80% by clean ice and permanent snow. To simulate daily discharge, the entire basin was divided into 26 altitude belts. Remotely sensed land cover types are derived by classifying Landsat images of 2009. Daily temperature and precipitation from Skardu meteorological station is used to calibrate the glacio-hydrological model as an input variable after correlating data with the Shigar station data(r=0.88). Local temperature lapse rate of 0.0075 °C/m is used. 2 °C critical temperature is used to separate rain and snow from precipitation. The model is calibrated for 1988~1991 and validated for 1992~1997. The model shows a good Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency and volume difference in calibration(0.86% and 0.90%) and validation(0.78% and 6.85%). Contribution of snow and ice melt in discharge is 32.37% in calibration period and 33.01% is validation period. The model is also used to predict future hydrological regime up to 2099 by using CORDEX South Asia RCM considering RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios.Predicted future snow and ice melt contributions in both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 are 36% and 37%, respectively. Temperature seems to be more sensitive as compared to other input variables, which is why the contribution of snow and ice in discharge varies significantly throughout the whole century.     

Analysis and planning of Saharanpur region for development and growth using remote sensig techniques

In this study the analysis of Saharanpur region has been done at Roorkee University for the development and growth of the region, using Landsat Imagery of November, 1972 (Bands 5 and 7) after enlarging it to a Scale of 1:250,000. Land utilization map (by visual interpretaion) was prepared, on the base map obtained from 250,000 toposheet, interpreting three main element of the image i.e. tone, texture and pattern-Sample verification of the landuses obtained was done by the interpretation of 1:10,000 scale photos for plains and 1:60,000 scale photographs for hilly area and found quite reasonable. Some of the information about population and the distribution of population according to the sizes of the settlements are found by the census report. The road work information is obtained from the toposheet and aerial photographs. After getting this information, hierarchy of settlements, land utilizaton onward settlement, population of the settlements, road conncetions between settlements and the size of the settlements are determined. The strategy for development of Growth centres is thought out and the facilities of these Growth centres are proposed. It has been found that the remote sensing technique gives a hierarchy by which optimum location of growth centres in the region is comparatively very easy, time saving and economical.