NLTE formation of the solar silicon spectrum: Silicon abundance in one-dimensional models of the solar atmosphere

NLTE formation of the silicon spectrum is studied in three one-dimensional semiempirical models of the solar atmosphere: HOLMUL, MACKKL, and VAL,C. The NLTE silicon abundance calculated from 65 Si I lines of different strengths is almost independent of the excitation potentials, wavelengths, and equivalent widths if the van der Waals damping constant ??₆ is calculated using the Unsold approximation with an enhancement factor E = 1.5. The NLTE silicon abundance range from 7.547 ± 0.012 (HOLMUL) to 7.582 ± 0.013 (VAL,C). The use of the Anstee-Barklem-O??Mara (ABO) theory to calculate ??₆ leads to a decrease in the silicon abundance with an increase in the equivalent widths. It is found that the NLTE silicon abundance corrections are, on average, ?0.05 dex. The errors in the NTLE abundance due to uncertainties in the cross sections of photoionization and inelastic collisions with electrons and hydrogen atoms are 0.02 dex or less. It is shown that the use of the shifted Gurtovenko-Kostyk ??solar?? oscillator-strength scale instead of the experimental scale proposed by Becker et al. gives almost the same silicon abundance.     

The solar photospheric abundance of zirconium

Zirconium (Zr), together with strontium and yttrium, is an important element in the understanding of the Galactic nucleosynthesis. In fact, the triad Sr‐Y‐Zr constitutes the first peak of s‐process elements. Despite its general relevance not many studies of the solar abundance of Zr were conducted. We derive the zirconium abundance in the solar photosphere with the same CO⁵BOLD hydrodynamical model of the solar atmosphere that we previously used to investigate the abundances of C‐N‐O. We review the zirconium lines available in the observed solar spectra and select a sample of lines to determine the zirconium abundance, considering lines of neutral and singly ionised zirconium. We apply different line profile fitting strategies for a reliable analysis of Zr lines that are blended by lines of other elements. The abundance obtained from lines of neutral zirconium is very uncertain because these lines are commonly blended and weak in the solar spectrum. However, we believe that some lines of ionised zirconium are reliable abundance indicators. Restricting the set to Zr II lines, from the CO⁵BOLD 3D model atmosphere we derive A (Zr) = 2.62 ± 0.06, where the quoted error is the RMS line‐to‐line scatter (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

NLTE formation of the resonance Ba II line λ 455.4 nm in the solar atmosphere

We consider the NLTE formation of the resonance Ba II line λ 455.4 nm in the solar spectrum for three one-dimensional and one three-dimensional hydrodynamic models of the quiet solar atmosphere. The sensitivity of the line to atomic parameters, microturbulent and macroturbulent velocities, as well as to oscillator strength and barium abundance uncertainties was examined. The wings of the barium line are shown to be most sensitive to the van der Waals broadening constant. Another important parameter is the barium abundance. Our NLTE estimate of the solar barium abundance (A _Ba = 2.16) derived with allowance made for the nonuniform solar atmosphere structure is in good agreement with earlier results. The influence of granular convective motions on the line profile shape was studied, and the profiles formed in granules and in intergranular lanes are shown to be asymmetric and differently shaped. We demonstrate that the theoretical profiles match well the observed ones when the NLTE effects and the granular structure are taken into account.     

Does Si play a role in the formation of extrasolar planet systems?

With the high signal-to-noise ratio spectra, we obtained Si abundances of 22 extrasolar planet host stars, and discussed some constraints on the planet formation. Using our silicon abundance results and other authors’ Si abundance studies about planets-harboring stars, we investigated the correlation between the dynamical properties and the silicon abundance. We propose a hypothesis that higher primordial metallicity in the host stars’ birth cloud with higher abundance of Si will make the cloud more sticky to bypass the time scale restriction in planet formation and easier to form the planets.     

Retrieval of water in Jupiter's deep atmosphere using microwave spectra of its brightness temperature

Despite several spacecraft encounters and numerous groundbased investigations, we still do not know much about Jupiter's deep atmosphere; in fact, the Galileo probe results were so different than anyone had anticipated, that we understand even less about this planet's atmosphere now than before the Galileo mission. We formulate four basic questions in Section 1.3, which, if solved, would help to better understand the chemistry and dynamics in Jupiter's atmosphere. We believe that three out of the four questions (explanation of NH₃ altitude profile, characterization of hot spots, altitude below which the atmosphere is uniformly mixed) may be solved from passive sounding of Jupiter's deep (∼ tens of bars) atmosphere via a radio telescope orbiting the planet. Question nr. 4 (the water abundance in Jupiter's deep atmosphere) has been singled out by the Solar System Exploration Decadal Survey as a key question, since the water abundance in Jupiter's deep atmosphere is tied in with planet formation models. In this paper we investigate the sensitivity of microwave retrievals to the composition of Jupiter's deep atmosphere, in particular the water abundance. Based upon present uncertainties in the ammonia abundance and other known and unknown absorbers, including uncertainties in clouds (density and index of refraction), and uncertainties in the thermal structure and lineshape profiles, we conclude that the retrieval of water at depth from microwave spectra (disk-averaged and locally) will be highly uncertain. We show that, if the H₂O lineshape profile would be accurately known (laboratory data are needed!), an atmosphere with a near-solar H₂O abundance can likely be distinguished from one with an abundance of 10-20×solar O based upon the difference in their microwave spectra at wavelengths ?50 cm. This would be sufficient to distinguish between some proposed scenarios by which Jupiter acquired its inventory of volatile elements heavier than helium. If, in addition, limb-darkening measurements are obtained (again, the H₂O lineshape profile should be known), tighter constraints on the H₂O abundance can be obtained (see also Janssen et al., 2004, this issue).     

Minor ions in the solar wind

Ions heavier than ⁴He are treated as “minors” in the solar wind. This is justified for many applications since minor ions have no significant influence on the dynamics of the interplanetary plasma. However, minor ions carry information on many aspects of the formation, on the acceleration and on the transfer of solar plasma from the corona into the interplanetary space. This review concentrates on various aspects of minor ions as diagnostic tracers. The elemental abundance patterns of the solar wind are shaped in the chromosphere and in the lower transition region by processes, which are not fully understood at this moment. Despite this lack of detailed understanding, observed abundance patterns have been classified and are now commonly used to characterize the sources, and to trace back solar-wind flows to their origins in the solar atmosphere. Furthermore, the solar wind is the most important source of information for solar isotopic abundances and for solar abundances of volatile elements. In order to fully exploit this information, a comprehensive understanding of elemental and isotopic fractionation processes is required. We provide observational clues to distinguish different processes at work.     

Models of Jupiter and Saturn after Galileo mission

New models of Jupiter are based on observational data provided by the Galileo spaceprobe, which considerably improved previously existing estimates of the helium abundance in the atmosphere of Jupiter. These data yield for Jupiter’s atmosphere 20% of the solar oxygen abundance and do not agree with the results of the analysis of the collision of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter (10 times the solar value). Therefore, both the models of Jupiter with water-depleted and water-enriched atmosphere are considered. By analogy with Jupiter, trial models of Saturn with a water-depleted external envelope are also developed. The molecular-metallic phase transition pressure of hydrogen P_m was taken to be 1.5, 2 and 3 Mbar. Since Saturn’s internal molecular envelope is noticeably enriched in the IR-component (its weight concentration, 0.25–0.30, being by a factor of 3–4 higher than in Jupiter), the phase transition pressure in Saturn can be lower than in Jupiter. In the constructed models, the IR-core masses are 3–3.5 M_⊕ for Jupiter and 3–5.5 M_⊕ for Saturn. Jupiter’s and Saturn’s IR-cores can be considered embryos onto which the accretion of the gas occurred during the formation of the planets. The mass of the hydrogen–helium component dispersed in the zone of planetary formation constitutes ≈2–5 planetary masses for Jupiter and ≈11–14 planetary masses for Saturn.     

NLTE formation of the solar spectrum of silicon: Abundance of silicon in a three-dimensional model of the solar atmosphere

We investigated the NLTE formation of the solar spectrum of neutral silicon using 3D hydrodynamic model of the solar atmosphere and realistic atomic model. We show that, within the intergranular region, combined action of the deficit in the source function and excess in opacity due to the overpopulation of the lower Si I levels leads to a considerably higher increase in the central depth D and equivalent width W of these lines as compared to the granules. We have fitted silicon abundances A _W and A _D from the equivalent widths W and central depths D for 65 Si I lines using a 3D model. We show that a total error in the calculated silicon abundance due to neglecting NLTE and 3D effects, as well as the uncertainty in the van der Waals broadening constant γ₆, turns out to be ?0.1 dex. Using a semiclassical theory by Anstee, Barklem, and O’Mara in calculating γ₆ yields a fair coincidence between the values of A _W and A _D , because the average difference A _W — A _D does not exceed 0.01 dex for both NLTE and LTE. When applying the Unsold’s approximation in calculating γ₆ with an enhancement factor E = 1.5, the abundances A _W and A _D proved to be in disagreement with one another. We analyzed the “solar” oscillator strength scale by Gurtovenko and Kostik, as well as the experimental one by Garz and Becker et al. We show that using “solar” oscillator strengths log gfw leads to a minimum trend with the equivalent widths for NLTE abundances A _W , A _D , their difference A _W — A _D , and standard deviations. The NLTE abundance of silicon obtained using solar oscillator strength scale by Gurtovenko and Kostik is A _W ^NTLE = 7.549 ± 0.016. This value is in good agreement with the value of silicon abundance recommended by Grevesse and Sauval for the CI chondrite meteorites.     

Electron density and temperature measurements, and abundance anomalies in the solar atmosphere

Using spectra obtained from the SUMER (Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation) spectrograph on the spacecraft SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), we investigate the height dependence of electron density, temperature and abundance anomalies in the solar atmosphere. In particular, we present the behaviour of the solar FIP effect (the abundance enhancement of elements with first ionization potential < 10 eV in the corona with respect to photospheric values) with height above an active region observed at the solar limb, with emphasis on the so-called transition region lines.     

Effects of errors in the solar radius on helioseismic inferences

Frequencies of intermediate-degree f modes of the Sun seem to indicate that the solar radius is smaller than what is normally used in constructing solar models. We investigate the possible consequences of an error in radius on results for solar structure obtained using helioseismic inversions. It is shown that solar sound speed will be overestimated if oscillation frequencies are inverted using reference models with a larger radius. Using solar models with a radius of 695.78 Mm and new data sets, the base of the solar convection zone is estimated to be at a radial distance of 0.7135 ± 0.0005 of the solar radius. The helium abundance in the convection zone as determined using models with an OPAL equation of state is 0.248 ± 0.001, where the errors reflect the estimated systematic errors in the calculation, the statistical errors being much smaller. Assuming that the OPAL opacities used in the construction of the solar models are correct, the surface Z / X is estimated to be 0.0245 ± 0.0006.     

The potassium abundance in the solar photosphere

High precision center-limb spectrograms of the K i resonance doublet line at λ 7699 Å were used to study the line formation and to determine the abundance of potassium in the solar atmosphere. The LTE assumption is not valid for these lines. Synthetic profiles computed in NLTE reproduce very well the observed center-limb line behaviour and yield log? _K = 5.14±0.10 for the solar abundance of potassium (on the scale of log? _H = 12 for Hydrogen).     

The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer for the solar and heliospheric observatory

The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer is designed to probe the solar atmosphere through the detection of spectral emission lines in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range 150 – 800 . By observing the intensities of selected lines and line profiles, we may derive temperature, density, flow and abundance information for the plasmas in the solar atmosphere. Spatial and temporal resolutions of down to a few arcseconds and seconds, respectively, allow such studies to be made within the fine-scale structure of the solar corona. Futhermore, coverage of large wavelength bands provides the capability for simultaneously observing the properties of plasmas across the wide temperature ranges of the solar atmosphere.     

New results on standard solar models

We describe the current status of solar modeling and focus on the problems originating with the introduction of solar abundance determinations with low CNO abundance values. We use models computed with solar abundance compilations obtained during the last decade, including the newest published abundances by Asplund and collaborators. The results presented here focus on both helioseismic properties and models as well as neutrino flux predictions. We also discuss changes in radiative opacities to restore agreement between helioseismology, solar models, and solar abundances and show the effect of such modifications on solar neutrino fluxes.     

太阳低层大气内小尺度活动——埃勒曼炸弹和微耀斑的物理特性和理论解释

随着观测的时间分辨率和空间分辨率的提高,近年来已发现和仔细研究了很多小尺度的太阳活动现象.它们的物理过程同复杂激烈的爆发现象有许多共同之处,因而可以为研究有复杂结构的激烈爆发现象(如耀斑和日冕物质抛射等)提供重要线索;同时,它们对太阳大气的加热可能有重要贡献,因而对理解太阳大气的加热机制有重要意义.太阳小尺度活动现象可...     

Space-based measurements of elemental abundances and their relation to solar abundances

The solar wind provides a source of solar abundance data that only recently is being fully exploited. The Ion Composition Instrument (ICI) aboard the ISEE-3/ICE spacecraft was in the solar wind continuously from August 1978 to December 1982. The results have allowed us to establish long-term average solar wind abundance values for helium, oxygen, neon, silicon, and iron. The Charge-Energy-Mass (CHEM) instrument aboard the CCE spacecraft of the AMPTE mission has measured the abundance of these elements in the magnetosheath and has also added carbon, nitrogen, magnesium, and sulfur to the list. There is strong evidence that these magnetosheath abundances are representative of the solar wind. Other sources of solar wind abundances are Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) experiments and Apollo lunar foils. When comparing the abundances from all of these sources with photospheric abundances, it is clear that helium is depleted in the solar wind while silicon and iron are enhanced. Solar wind abundances for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and neon correlate well with the photospheric values. The incorporation of minor ions into the solar wind appears to depend upon both the ionization times for the elements and the Coulomb drag exerted by the outflowing proton flux.     

The chemical composition of solar-type stars in comparison with that of the Sun

The question whether the solar chemical composition is typical for solar-type stars is analysed by comparing the Sun with different stellar samples, including a sample of stars with very similar parameters, solar twins. Although typical in terms of overall metallicity for stars of solar age and galactic orbit, the solar atmosphere is found to have abundances, as compared with solar twins, that indicate that its gas has once been affected by dust formation and dust separation. It is concluded that this may be related to the formation of the solar planetary system and its special properties.     

Chemical abundance analysis of the Be star HD 171054

In this work the results of a spectroscopic study of the southern field narrow-line Be star HD 171054 are presented. High dispersion and signal-to-noise ratio spectra allowed the estimation of the fundamental photospheric parameters such as the projected rotational velocity, effective temperature and superficial gravity from non-LTE stellar atmosphere models. From these parameters and microturbulence, the abundances of He, C, N, O, Mg, Al and Si for this object are estimated. Results show that C is depleted whereas N is overabundant compared with the sun and OB stars in the solar vicinity. Oxygen and helium are close to the solar value. Magnesium is down by 0.43 dex and aluminium and silicon are overabundant.     

Si VII/Mg VII and Si IX/Mg IX line diagnostics for solar plasma

New calculations for Si vii/Mg vii and Si ix/Mg ix theoretical line ratios as a tool for plasma density diagnostics and for the estimation of relative element abundance in the solar atmosphere are presented, making use of the EUV spectrum of an active region obtained by the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS). Theoretical line ratios, hitherto not observed, are discussed for diagnosing solar plasma from the observations obtainable with the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) instrument on board the SOHO mission.In the honour of Dr P. K. Raju, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, on the completion of his 60 years.     

利用TALYS计算太阳耀斑伽玛射线

太阳耀斑伽玛射线能谱是加速粒子与太阳大气介质原子碰撞的结果,它是研究太阳耀斑中加速粒子和高能电子最为直接的手段.通过分析伽玛射线能谱,可以获得耀斑过程中加速粒子的成分、能谱、角分布及太阳大气元素丰度等重要信息.TALYS程序是一套模拟核反应的软件,对核反应过程中的所有信息均能完整地描述.利用TALYS计算得到了完整的太阳耀斑伽玛射线的核反应截面数据,开发了一套新的耀斑伽玛射线谱计算程序.详细介绍了耀斑伽玛射线计算的理论模型,并简单探讨了耀斑伽玛射线的特性,为未来的耀斑伽玛射线能谱分析奠定了理论基础.