Looking inside the butterfly diagram

The suitability of Maunder's butterfly diagram to give a realistic picture of the photospheric magnetic flux large scale distribution is discussed. The evolution of the sunspot zone in cycle 20 through 23 is described. To reduce the noise which covers any structure in the diagram, a smoothing algorithm has been applied to the sunspot data. This operation has eliminated any short period fluctuation, and given visibility to long duration phenomena. One of these phenomena is the fact that the equatorward drift of the spot zone center of mass results from the alternation of several prograde (namely, equatorward) segments with other stationary or poleward segments. The long duration of the stationary/retrograde phases as well as the similarities among the spot zone alternating paths in the cycles under examination prevent us from considering these features as meaningless fluctuations, randomly superimposed on the continuous equatorward migration. On the contrary, these features should be considered physically meaningful phenomena, requiring adequate explanations. Moreover, even the smoothed spotted area markedly oscillates. The compared examination of area and spot zone evolution allows us to infer details about the spotted area distribution inside the butterfly diagram. Links between the changing structure of the spot zone and the tachocline rotation rate oscillations are proposed. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Cyclical Behavior of Coronal Mass Ejections

With the use of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) from January 1996 through December 2005, it is found that, for the cyclical activity of CMEs, there is surprisingly no equatorward drift at low latitudes (thus, no “butterfly diagram”) and no poleward drift at high latitudes, and no antiphase relationship between CME activity at low and high latitudes. The cyclical behaviors of CMEs differ in a significant way from that of the small-scale solar photospherical and chromospherical phenomena. Thus, our analysis leads to results that are inconsistent with a close, physical relationship with small-scale aspects of solar activity, and it is suggested that there is possibly a single so-called large-scale activity cycle in CMEs.     

Solar Drift Pair Bursts in the Decameter Range

The results of observations of solar decametric drift pair bursts are presented. These observations were carried out during a Type III burst storm on July 11–21, 2002, with the decameter radio telescope UTR-2, equipped with new back-end facilities. High time and frequency resolution of the back-end allowed us to obtain new information about the structure and properties of these bursts. The statistical analysis of more than 700 bursts observed on 13–15 July was performed separately for “forward” and “reverse” drift pair bursts. Such an extensive amount of these kind of bursts has never been processed before. It should be pointed out that “forward” and “reverse” drift pair bursts have a set of similar parameters, such as time delay between the burst elements, duration of an element, and instant bandwidth of an element. Nevertheless some of their parameters are different. So, the absolute average value of frequency drift rate for “forward” bursts is 0.8 MHz s⁻¹, while for “reverse” ones it is 2 MHz s⁻¹. The obtained functional dependencies “drift rate vs. frequency” and “flux density vs. frequency” were found to be different from the current knowledge. We also report about the observation of unusual variants of drift pairs, in particular, of “hook” bursts and bursts with fine time and frequency structure. A possible mechanism of drift pairs generation is proposed, according to which this emission may originate from the interaction of Langmuir waves with the magnetosonic waves having equal phase and group velocities.     

Two-Way Orbits

This paper introduces a new set of compatible orbits called “Two-Way Orbits,” whose ground track path is a closed-loop trajectory that intersects at certain points with tangent intersections. The spacecraft passes over these tangent intersections once in a prograde mode and once in a retrograde mode. Motivations are found for the need to have simultaneous observations of the same target area in both Earth observation and reconnaissance systems. The general mathematical model to design a Two-Way Orbit is presented for the specific case where the tangent points are experienced at the orbit extremes, perigee and apogee. As for the general case, Two-Way Orbit conditions are formulated and numerically solved. Results show that, in general, Two-Way Orbits could be formed over any point on Earth. Since Two-Way Orbits use compatible orbits, the theory of Flower Constellations can be applied to them. Using these Two-Way Orbits, this paper also introduces the Two-Way Flower Constellations that have one spacecraft prograde and one retrograde passing simultaneously over the tangent intersection.     

Meridional drift of the large-scale solar magnetic fields in different phases of solar activity

An analysis is made of mean latitudinal profiles of the meridional drift of the large-scale solar magnetic fields. The previously detected equatorward migration of the drift pattern in the course of a cycle is confirmed. Evidence for the existence of a near-equatorial narrow zone ±7° with an equatorward drift with a rate of about 1 m s^-1 is obtained. The study revealed a significant difference in shapes and variations of average drift profiles for the large-scale magnetic field and small magnetic features (Komm, Howard, and Harvey, 1993).     

Butterfly diagrams of strongly spotted late type stars

At present, long-term (over 30 years) multicolor photometric observations give the possibility to determine general properties of spotted areas on late-type stars. Star-spot modeling from broadband photometric data has been carried out by Alekseev and Gershberg since 1996 under the assumption that spots are situated in two latitudinal zones. Here we propose a new analysis of their results for several G and K dwarf stars with high irregular activity. On these stars, EK Dra, VY Ari, V775 Her, and V833 Tau, two spot belts exist separately and do not merge into a single equatorial active region, as occurs on cooler red-dwarf stars. The zonal spottedness models allow us to fit simultaneously both rotational modulation and long-term variability of stellar brightness. These models give evidence for an equatorward drift of the lower latitude boundary of the spotted region, φ₀, during the rising phase of activity, beyond any possible errors concerned with our methodology. In order to evaluate the drift rate we introduce the concept of `effective' spot belt, whose width is independent of longitude. This permits us to construct butterfly diagrams for stellar spots. The equatorward drift rates of the lower boundary of the spotted region D=dφ_low/dt are (− 1)–(− 2) deg year⁻¹ in the years of increasing spottedness. These values are less than the analogous solar one D≈−4 deg year⁻¹ for the rising phase of the cycle. Thus, cyclic activity can be revealed from butterfly diagrams and derived drifts of starspots prior to a possible detection from the spectral analysis of photometric variability. Finally, we briefly discuss a possible explanation of high-latitude activity and surface drifts of starspots in the framework of the current state of dynamo theory.     

Return Meridional Flow in the Convection Zone from Latitudinal Motions of Umbrae of Sunspot Groups

We have derived the velocities of meridional flows by measuring the latitudinal motions (or drifts) of umbrae of spot groups classified into three categories of area: 0 – 5 μ, 5 – 10 μ, and >10 μ (μ area in millionths of the solar hemisphere). The latitudinal drifts (or the meridional flows) in all three categories are directed equatorward in both the northern and southern hemispheres. By sorting the spot groups into three area classes, we are able to relate the respective latitudinal drifts with the three depths in the convection zone where the footpoints of the flux loops of the spot groups of each area class are anchored. We obtain estimates of the anchor depths through a comparison of the rotation rates of the spot groups of each area class with the rotation-rate profiles from helioseismic inversions. The equatorward drifts obtained provide estimates of the meridional flows at the three depths in the convection zone and thereby suggest the presence of return meridional flows as envisaged in the flux-transport dynamo models, which have remained undetected so far. The data sources for this study are measurements of positions and areas of umbrae of sunspots from the photographic white-light images of the Sun of the Kodaikanal Observatory archives for the period 1906 – 1987 and a very similar, but independent, data set from the Mt. Wilson Observatory archives for the period 1917 – 1985.     

A Standard Law for the Equatorward Drift of the Sunspot Zones

The latitudinal location of the sunspot zones in each hemisphere is determined by calculating the centroid position of sunspot areas for each solar rotation from May 1874 to June 2011. When these centroid positions are plotted and analyzed as functions of time from each sunspot cycle maximum, there appear to be systematic differences in the positions and equatorward drift rates as a function of sunspot cycle amplitude. If, instead, these centroid positions are plotted and analyzed as functions of time from each sunspot cycle minimum, then most of the differences in the positions and equatorward drift rates disappear. The differences that remain disappear entirely if curve fitting is used to determine the starting times (which vary by as much as eight months from the times of minima). The sunspot zone latitudes and equatorward drift measured relative to this starting time follow a standard path for all cycles with no dependence upon cycle strength or hemispheric dominance. Although Cycle 23 was peculiar in its length and the strength of the polar fields it produced, it too shows no significant variation from this standard. This standard law, and the lack of variation with sunspot cycle characteristics, is consistent with dynamo wave mechanisms but not consistent with current flux transport dynamo models for the equatorward drift of the sunspot zones.     

Photometric study of the unusual binary system vsx j052807.9 + 725606

Results are reported from a three color (B, V, and R) photometric study of the recently discovered, unusual binary system VSX J052807.9 + 725606 = USNO-B1.0 1629–0064825. This system is extremely similar to the system V361 Lyr, which had previously been regarded as unique. We confirm the strong asymmetry of the phase curve and find that its amplitude depends on wavelength. This is interpreted using a model of a “direct impact” of the accretion flow with the atmosphere of the accreting component and the formation of a “hot spot.” The color temperatures are determined. The characteristics of the hot spot are estimated. We have also calculated new ephemerides for VSX J052807.9 + 725606.     

Vortex structure of neutron stars with triplet neutron superfluidity

The vortex structure of the “npe” phase of neutron stars with a ³P₂ superfluid neutron condensate of Cooper pairs is discussed. It is shown that, as the star rotates, superfluid neutron vortex filaments described by a unitary ordering parameter develop in the “npe” phase. The entrainment of superconducting protons by the rotating superfluid neutrons is examined. The entrainment effect leads to the appearance of clusters of proton vortices around each neutron vortex and generates a magnetic field on the order of 10¹² G. ³P₂ neutron vortex filaments combine with quark semi-superfluid vortex filaments at the boundary of the “npe” and “CFL” phases. At the boundary of the “Aen” and “npe” phases, they combine with ¹S₀ neutron vortex filaments. In this way, a unified vortex structure is formed. The existence of this structure and its collective elastic oscillations explain the observed oscillations in the angular rotation velocity of pulsars.     

Nature of Tilt Angles of Sunspot Groups During the 22nd Solar Cycle

Daily white-light images from Kodaikanal Observatory have been utilized to study the nature of tilt angles of sunspot groups during the 22nd solar cycle. 2416 spot groups have been measured to find the tilt angle. An average tilt angle of +4.6 ± 0.4 deg has been obtained for all these spot groups, where the positive sign indicates that the leading part of the group is closer to the equator. It is found that the number of poleward and equatorward spot groups showed an opposite trend as the cycle advanced. The spot groups with positive (equatorward) tilt angles declined in number whereas the spot groups with negative (poleward) tilt angles increased towards the end of the cycle. It is also noticed that the number of spot groups, which changed the sign of tilt angle during their lifetime or passage across the disc, increased during the maximum activity period of the cycle. These findings were confirmed from the analysis of data from the 21st cycle. These results are discussed in this paper along with the daily variation of tilt angles of some of the spot groups from the selected data.     

Slow modes in stellar systems with nearly harmonic potentials: I. Spoke approximation,radial orbit instability

Using a consistent perturbation theory for collisionless disk-like and spherical star clusters, we construct a theory of slow modes for systems having an extended central region with a nearly harmonic potential due to the presence of a fairly homogeneous (on the scales of the stellar system) heavy, dynamically passive halo. In such systems, the stellar orbits are slowly precessing, centrally symmetric ellipses (2: 1 orbits). Depending on the density distribution in the system and the degree of halo inhomogeneity, the orbit precession can be both prograde and retrograde, in contrast to systems with 1: 1 elliptical orbits where the precession is unequivocally retrograde. In the first paper, we show that in the case where at least some of the orbits have a prograde precession and the stellar distribution function is a decreasing function of angular momentum, an instability that turns into the well-known radial orbit instability in the limit of low angular momenta can develop in the system. We also explore the question of whether the so-called spoke approximation, a simplified version of the slow mode approximation, is applicable for investigating the instability of stellar systems with highly elongated orbits. Highly elongated orbits in clusters with nonsingular gravitational potentials are known to be also slowly precessing 2: 1 ellipses. This explains the attempts to use the spoke approximation in finding the spectrum of slow modes with frequencies of the order of the orbit precession rate. We show that, in contrast to the previously accepted view, the dependence of the precession rate on angular momentum can differ significantly from a linear one even in a narrow range of variation of the distribution function in angular momentum. Nevertheless, using a proper precession curve in the spoke approximation allows us to partially “rehabilitate” the spoke approach, i.e., to correctly determine the instability growth rate, at least in the principal (O(α _T^−1/2) order of the perturbation theory in dimensionless small parameter α _T, which characterizes the width of the distribution function in angular momentum near radial orbits.     

Possible mechanism of formation of interstellar clouds

A possible mechanism of formation of interstellar clouds in the Galaxy by aggregation from gas “cloudlets” ejected by red giants is considered. A numerical model of the motion of a “cloudlet” in the interstellar medium of the Galaxy is constructed. The resulting clouds are fractal with a fractal dimensionality that coincides with the observed one. The characteristic time of formation of a cloud agrees with observations. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 229–237, April–June, 2000.     

Individual and integrated pulse properties of PSR B0943+10 involved in the mode-changing phenomenon

The characteristics of the “burst” (B) mode and “quiescent” (Q) mode pulse sequences–long known from studies at or below 103 MHz–are identified at 430 MHz for the first time. An 18-minute, Polarimetrie observation begins with a long Bmode sequence, which has a higher average intensity, regular drifting subpulses, and a preponderance of primary polarisationmode radiation. An abrupt transition to a Q-mode sequence is then marked by a) weaker average intensity, but occasional very bright individual subpulses, b) a complete cessation of drifting subpulses, with disorganized subpulses now being emitted over a much wider longitude interval, and c) near parity between the primary and secondary polarisation modes, resulting in pronounced depolarisation, both of individual pulses and the average profile. Careful study, however, of profile changes before and after this mode change reveals slower variations which both anticipate the abrupt transition and respond to it. A slow attenuation of the intensity level of the dominant component is observed throughout the duration of the B-mode sequence, which then accelerates with the onset of the Q-mode sequence. This slow variation appears to represent a “preswitching transition” process; and the combination of effects on slow and abrupt time scales are finally responsible for the formation of the characteristic B and Q-mode average profiles.     

Complex structure of the magnetic field of the CP-Star HD142301

Models of the magnetic field of the He-w star HD142301 are constructed. Observational data are well described by the model of a dipole shifted by 0.6 stellar radii transverse to the axis. The phase dependence of the HeI λ4026? line, however, corresponds better to a model assuming the presence of four monopoles (or two dipoles) shifted by 0.4 stellar radii from the center. The distance between the monopoles in both models is comparable to the star’s radius, which indicates that the source of the magnetic field is “long” dipoles, rather than “point” dipoles.     

Near-Earth Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections During Solar Cycle 23 (1996 – 2009): Catalog and Summary of Properties

In a previous study (Cane and Richardson, J. Geophys. Res. 108(A4), SSH6-1, 2003), we investigated the occurrence of interplanetary coronal mass ejections in the near-Earth solar wind during 1996 – 2002, corresponding to the increasing and maximum phases of solar cycle 23, and provided a “comprehensive” catalog of these events. In this paper, we present a revised and updated catalog of the ≈300 near-Earth ICMEs in 1996 – 2009, encompassing the complete cycle 23, and summarize their basic properties and geomagnetic effects. In particular, solar wind composition and charge state observations are now considered when identifying the ICMEs. In general, these additional data confirm the earlier identifications based predominantly on other solar wind plasma and magnetic field parameters. However, the boundaries of ICME-like plasma based on charge state/composition data may deviate significantly from those based on conventional plasma/magnetic field parameters. Furthermore, the much studied “magnetic clouds”, with flux-rope-like magnetic field configurations, may form just a substructure of the total ICME interval.     

The Universe behind the Milky Way

Summary. Due to the foreground extinction of the Milky Way, galaxies appear increasingly fainter the closer they lie to the Galactic Equator, creating a “zone of avoidance” of about 25% in the distribution of optically visible galaxies. A “whole-sky” map of galaxies is essential, however, for understanding the dynamics in our local Universe, in particular the peculiar velocity of the Local Group with respect to the Cosmic Microwave Background and velocity flow fields such as in the Great Attractor region. Various dynamically important structures behind the Milky Way have only recently been made “visible” through dedicated deep surveys at various wavelengths. The wide range of observational searches (optical, near infrared, far infrared, radio and X-ray) for galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance are reviewed, including a discussion on the limitations and selection effects of these partly complementary approaches. The uncovered and suspected large-scale structures are summarized. Reconstruction methods of the density field in the Zone of Avoidance are described and the resulting predictions compared with observational evidence. The comparison between reconstructed density fields and the observed galaxy distribution allow derivations of the density and biasing parameters and b. Received 4 April 2000 / Published online 18 July 2000     

Development of an Automatic Echo-counting Program for HROFFT Spectrograms

Radio meteor observations by Ham-band beacon or FM radio broadcasts using “Ham-band Radio meteor Observation Fast Fourier Transform” (HROFFT) an automatic operating software have been performed widely in recent days. Previously, counting of meteor echoes on the spectrograms of radio meteor observation was performed manually by observers. In the present paper, we introduce an automatic meteor echo counting software application. Although output images of the HROFFT contain both the features of meteor echoes and those of various types of noises, a newly developed image processing technique has been applied, resulting in software that enables a useful auto-counting tool. There exists a slight error in the processing on spectrograms when the observation site is affected by many disturbing noises. Nevertheless, comparison between software and manual counting revealed an agreement of almost 90%. Therefore, we can easily obtain a dataset of detection time, duration time, signal strength, and Doppler shift of each meteor echo from the HROFFT spectrograms. Using this software, statistical analyses of meteor activities is based on the results obtained at many Ham-band Radio meteor Observation (HRO) sites throughout the world, resulting in a very useful “standard” for monitoring meteor stream activities in real time.     

Statistical characteristics of large sunspots in solar activity cycles 17–23

Integral and differential distributions of sunspot diameters are studied for the last seven 11-year cycles of solar activity. Data of the Greenwich catalogue, Pulkovo’s database, and the “Solniechnyie Dannyie” bulletin are used. We found that the average index of integral distribution α is 6.0 for the diameters from 50 to 90 Mm and independent of the Wolf’s numbers, but it depends on a cycle phase in the majority of cycles (four of seven), i.e., it is higher during the ascending phase, of intermediate value during the maximum phase and minimum during the declining phase. Cycles 17, 18, and 22 behave differently: the index α is either invariable with phase or the variations differ from the above ones. It turned out that cycles 17 and 18 are peculiar by sunspot diameters, i.e., sunspots of up to 140–180 Mm in diameter, the largest over the last 80 years, have been observed. Three assumptions concerning the nature of these gigantic sunspots have been proposed: (a) these sunspots occur due to changes in differential rotation of the sun, (b) these sunspots are a certain independent statistical assembly formed in a sporadic discrete region of the convective zone, and (c) these sunspots are surface “fragments” of the relict magnetic field of the solar nucleus.     

A map of the horizontal flows in the solar convection zone

The first map of the horizontal flows as a function of depth and heliocentric position in the solar convection zone is presented. The map is inferred from a least-squares smoothness-constrained inversion of velocities measured from ring diagrams of the solar p-mode oscillations. The data provide information in four longitude regions at a latitude just south of the solar equator. The presence of several features is suggested by the results: