Potential models of the unipolar sunspot magnetic field

The potential models of the unipolar sunspot magnetic field are calculated on the basis of magnetographic measurements of the magnetic field made in the three spectral lines of different intensities, H, Cai 6103 and Fei 4808. The computed distributions of the magnetic field vector are compared with actual distributions observed at these three levels. It is shown that the electric current density in the spot reaches values up to 10⁵ CGSE in the volume contained between formation depths of two pairs of lines, Fei 4808-Cai 6103 and Fei 4808 - H. Therefore, the magnetic field of the spot deviates strongly from a potential configuration. To the contrary, at higher levels, in the semi-infinite volume restricted at the bottom by the hydrogen H-line, the field appears to be quite close to a potential one.     

The observed limb effect in Fraunhofer lines,I

The absolute limb effect is presented for Fei lines 3767 and 3969; for five Tii lines of multiplet 42 near 4535 and one Tiii line at 4534; two lines of Mgi, 4571 and 5172; two lines of Baii at 5854 and 6497. The scattered light of the McMath solar telescope is illustrated by several figures but not applied to the limb-effect observations. It is suggested that the supergravity shift at the limb is the result of scattering of the atoms in anisotropic velocity field.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

Determination of Optical Spectra by a Modified Kramers Kronig Integral

A new modified Kramers Kronig Integral is derived and shown to produce excellent results when k data is only known over a limited range. By considering the effect of resonance features simulated using the Dirac-Delta function, the new integral is shown to be more rapidly converging than both the conventional Kramers Kronig integral and a modified (Subtractive Kramers Kronig – SKK) integral introduced by Ahrenkiel (1971). The new integral does not require extensive extrapolation of reflectance data outside the measured region in order to produce reliable results. By extending the above procedure to include n data points, it is shown that at wavelength ₀, \[ n(_0)=\sum_{i=1}^{\rm n}(-1)^{\rm n+1}\prod_{\stackrel{j=1}{j \not=i}}^{\rm n} \frac{(_j^2-_0^2)}{(_i^2- _j^2)}n(_i)+\frac{2}{\pi}P\int_{0}^{\infty}(-1)^{\rm n+1} \frac{\prod_{i=1}^{\rm n}(_i^2-_0^2)}{\prod_{i=0}^{\rm n}(^2-_i^2)} k()d \] with relative error given by, \[ R_n(_0)=\prod_{i=1}^{\rm n}\frac{_i^2- _0^2}{_^2-_i^2} . \] This n^th order expression should prove useful in establishing the internal self-consistency of data sets for which both optical coefficients have been theoretically derived.     

Fine structure in the inner corona observed at the 1970 eclipse

On the slit spectrogram obtained at the 1970 eclipse in Mexico, the intensities of four coronal lines (Nixiii 5116, Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374, and Nixv 6702) and the continuum were measured as a function of distance along the slit. It is found that there exist a lot of fine fluctuations both in the lines and in the continuum intensities superposed on a large scale formation. The correspondence of such fluctuations between the continuum and the lines is good, with the exception of the line 6374 which shows a peculiar fluctuation. It is shown that the intensities of the three lines 5116, 5303, and 6702 seem to be proportional to the square of the continuum intensity while the 6374 line intensity may be proportional to the fourth power or more.     

The solar continuum from 900 to 130 000 Å and the photospheric temperature model

In order to obtain a better agreement between observed and computed values of the solar intensity, an improved temperature distribution is deduced for the range 0.02<0< 10. The intensity observations here considered refer to the wavelength region between 1980 and 129 500, and the center-limb variations generally go down to cos = 0.1. The improved model, given in Figure 4 and Table II, differs rather little from the Utrecht 1964 model, used here as a reference.It appears necessary to introduce an empirical correction function to be applied to the continuous absorption coefficient. This function was derived for the spectral region between 2000 and 130000 Å; it is shown in Figure 5.Furthermore, an extension of the model (1.10^–7<0< 2.10^–2) is deduced (see Table III and Figure 8), which reasonably well represents the observations of the ultraviolet solar flux ( 900–1700 Å).     

Optical observations of line profile variability in the WN5 star HD 50896

The WN5 star HD 50896 is a well known variable star but the cause of the variations is uncertain. As part of an extensive observing campaign on HD 50896, 68 spectra were obtained with the AAT and UCL echelle spectrograph over three nights in January 1991. The variations seen in the emission line profiles of He II 4686, He II 4860, N V 4945 and N V 4603, 4620, sampling different regions of the wind, are described. Gross night-to-night changes are seen in the tops of all the emission lines, with the pattern of variability being different for each line, as a consequence of the different line formation regions. The edges of the emission line profiles are seen to shift but not in a systematic way, as expected for binary motion. In terms of hourly variations which monitor the propagation of instabilities in the wind, distinct blobs are seen moving outwards through the emission line profiles of the He II lines but are absent in NV 4945. This appears to indicate that, at least for the epoch of these observations, the instabilities develop farther out in the wind than the N V formation region and may well rule out photospheric-induced wind instabilities.     

Theoretical intensity ratios for some Fe XIII coronal lines

Theoretical values for the relative intensities of the Fe XIII lines 110747, 110798, and 3388 are presented as functions of electron density using recent values of the cross-section for collisionl excitation by protons. Our results are compared with those of Chevalier and Lambert.     

The high-dispersion continuous ultraviolet solar spectrum and the Balmer-jump

Among the intensities, determined at about 200 wavelengths between 3000 and 4100 Å in the spectrum of the centre of the sun's disk (Houtgast, 1965), the 32 highest ones (windows) were plotted and compared with absolute intensities given by other authors.The intensities in between the Fraunhofer lines from 3600 to 4000 Å, as determined here for the first time with high dispersion, reveal a detailed picture of several absorption features, one of which can be attributed to a Balmer jump of 0.03, a value in accordance with that found for stars and in agreement with the strengths of the high Balmer lines.The much higher value of the Balmer jump for the sun, as quoted in literature, in reality refers to the total intensity jump between 4000 and 3600 Å, which is mainly due to the crowding of Fraunhofer lines.     

The ionization mechanism in low level emission galaxy nuclei: Shocks

We analyze the emission component of galaxy nuclei at very low intensity levels (W(H)2Å). This emission level is considerably lower than that of classical LINERS like NGC 1052. We have access to weaker emission lines by averaging spectra with similar line ratios for H [NII], and [SII]. From the resulting spectrum for very low level emission nuclei, the [SII] 6717, 6731/[SIII] 9069, 9532 line ratio criterion (Diazet al., 1985a) unambiguously shows that shock-wave heating is the mechanism responsible for the ionization in such objects.     

Oxygen abundances in old disc and halo stars of the Galaxy

Intermediate resolution (/ 25 000) CCD spectra of the oxygen triplet at 7770 Å have been analyzed to determine oxygen abundances in a sample of metal-deficient stars with metallicities covering the range –2.5[Fe/H]–0.2. Important oxygen overabundances ([O/Fe]1) are found in the more metal deficient stars of the sample. We briefly discuss the information that these observations provide about the early nucleosynthesis history and chemical evolution of the Galaxy.     

Preliminary results from the spectra of V471 tauri

The findings about this unusual eclipsing variable which possesses a white-dwarf component are reported. It was found that the H and K absorption lines of Caii are strongly pressure-broadened, and exhibit two double-reversal emission components. The radial velocities derived from the central strong emission components of Caii (H and K) are in agreement with the mean radial velocity curve obtained from the metallic absorption lines of the existing elements, whereas H (4340.47 Å) does not conform with the mean radial velocity curve. In certain orbital phases the H (6562.82 Å) line occurs in emission.     

The center-to-limb behavior of Ca i λ6573 and [Ca ii] λ7324

Center-to-limb measurements of the Ca i 6573 intercombination line and the Ca ii 7324 forbidden line are compared with synthetic profiles based on a simple representation of the non-LTE Ca-Ca⁺ ionization equilibrium. The effects of photoionizations from low lying excited states of neutral calcium are found to reduce the sensitivity of the 6573 center-to-limb behavior as a thermal structure diagnostic. The synthetic center-to-limb behavior is also sensitive to uncertainties in the nonthermal broadening. Nevertheless, the measured center-to-limb behavior of 6573 favors a cool photospheric model similar to the Vernazza, Avrett, and Loeser model M over hotter models based on the Ca ii K wings. The non-LTE calcium abundance obtained from the disk center equivalent widths of 6573 and 7324 using the best fit model is A _Ca2.1±0.2 × 10^-6 (by number relative to hydrogen). Applications of these lines as diagnostics of the Ca-Ca⁺ ionization equilibrium in other stars are briefly discussed.Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Measuring electron density in coronal active regions

In order to study the electron density at the scale of the most encountered structures in coronal active regions a new multichannel coronagraph associated with a photoelectric spectrograph is now used at the Pic-du-Midi Observatory. In its quasi-routine mode this instrument, which is described in this paper, works with a 30 field aperture in a parallel manner with aK-polarimeter. On each observed region it obtains maps of intensities of the 3388, 10747, and 10798 Å emission lines due to Fexiii ion. Each measurement point is associated with a quasi-simultaneous image of the emission corona structures viewed in the light of the5303 Å line of Fexiv. Three examples of observations are given and the capabilities are discussed.Measuring electron density in coronal active regions. II A multichannel photoelectric coronagraph with a photo-electric spectrograph and a reflex monitor at5303 Å.LA du CNRS No. 040285.     

The observed limb effect in Fraunhofer lines,II

In this paper the absolute limb effect for a number of Fraunhofer lines observed at the McMath Solar Observatory is given. Results, uncorrected for scattered light, are given for the following lines: Fei 37334.9, 3735.3, 5123.7, 5250.2, 5434.5, 6678.0, and 8886.6. Additional lines observed are five lines of CN 3876.3–3880.0, two lines of Cai 6161.3 and 6162.2, one line of Nai, 6160.7, and one CN line (7957.0) of the red system.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

Ionized helium in prominences and in the chromosphere

Quiescent prominences It is found that Heii 4686 is emitted in the same cold region of 10000 K as hydrogen, metal and neutral helium emission lines. This conclusion is based on the finding that the observed width of 4686 is the same as the calculated width of 4686. The calculated width is derived from the observed widths of hydrogen and metallic lines. The large intensity of Heii 4686 in 10000 K can be explained by the ionization of Heii due to the UV radiation below 228 Å that comes from the corona and the transition region.Loop prominences The very broad width (30 to 50 km s^–1) of 4686 for two post-flare loop prominences shows that the Heii line is emitted in hot regions different from regions of hydrogen and metal emission. From the widths of the Balmer lines and many metallic lines the kinetic temperature for one loop is found to be 16000 K in one part and 7600 K in another part. The electron densities are 10^12.0 cm^–3 and less than 10^11.0 cm^–3 respectively.Chromosphere The intensity of 4686 in the chromosphere can be interpreted in terms of a temperature of 10000 K with the ionization due to UV radiation. But, since observations of the width of 4686 are not available, a definitive conclusion for the chromosphere cannot be reached.     

Spectroscopic Data for the 6it s6it p 3 P1 level of Lu+ for the Determination of the Solar Lutetium Abundance

We report spectroscopic measurements on the 6s6p ³P₁ level of Lu⁺ at 28503.16 cm^-1. The radiative lifetime of this level was measured to be 37.4 ± 1.9 ns using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence of a slow ion beam. Branching fractions were determined from Lu spectra recorded using the 1.0 m Fourier transform spectrometer at the National Solar Observatory. Thelog(gf) values determined by combining the radiative lifetime and branching fractions for the 3507.39, 5983.90, and 6221.87 (air wavelengths) lines are - 1.16 ± 0.03, - 1.16 ± 0.06, and -0.76 ± 0.04, respectively. The 6221.87 line has been identified by Bord, Cowley, and Mirijanian (1997) as the best candidate for the determination of the solar lutetium abundance because it is only slightly blended in the solar spectrum. The present 6221.87 transition probability measurement brings their solar lutetium abundance into good agreement with the CI chondrite abundance.     

Scanner observations of the Be starsν Gem,κ Ori,β Mon andω CMa

The photoelectric spectrophotometric scans of the Be stars Gem, Ori, Mon and CMa have been analyzed to find out few stellar parameters. The absolute energy distributions of these stars in the wavelength range 350–750 nm have been given. Their effective temperatures and gravities have been estimated from comparisons with non-LTE model atmospheres. The stars Gem and Mon have been found to have Balmer discontinuities in emission. The excess emission in the region 620–750 nm has been observed for Mon and CMa. The evolutionary aspects of these stars are discussed and their masses have been estimated.     

The He+ λ 4686 line in the low chromosphere

We report an unsuccessful search for the He⁺ 4686 line in the low chromosphere. However, at the location of this line we detect a number of other chromospheric emission lines. This leads us to the conclusion that the He⁺ 4686 identification made in the past, as well as other identifications, are probably in error. Additionally the region of the neutral helium 4713 line is also studied.On leave from Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, Mitaka, Japan.     

Hydrogen and helium spectra in large magnetic fields

The energy levels and wave functions of hydrogen and helium atoms in the presence of large (10⁷G) magnetic fields are found by assuming that the eigenvalues and eigenvectors may be approximated by those of a truncated Hamiltonian matrix. In these atoms, fields of this size produce, in addition to the usual Paschen-Back effect, a quadratic Zeeman effect. This contributes an upward shift to the energy of all levels, which at sufficiently high fields dominates the Paschen-Back splitting.The behavior of a number of eigenvalues and wave functions as a function of magnetic field is presented. The effects of the field on the wavelengths and strengths of the components of H and the helium lines 4471, 4026 and 4120 as well as the forbidden 4025 are examined. In hydrogen the lines are split into components attributed to the now nondegenerate transitionsnlm _lnlm_l. In helium forbidden lines are excited, which may develop strengths larger than those of the allowed lines.     

The radio radius of the Sun at millimeter and centimeter wavelengths

The radio radius of the Sun is determined from an analysis of the radio contact times of the 7 March, 1970 and 10 July, 1972 solar eclipses from = 3 mm to = 31 cm. Agreement with other eclipse measurements is good. A best fit curve through the several points gives the radio radius to within approximately ±0.01 of the photosheric radius below -5 cm.