A comparison of He ii 304 Å and He i 10 830 Å spectroheliograms

Spectroheliograms were obtained simultaneously in the He ii 304 Å emission line and the He i 10 830 Å absorption line with an angular resolution of approximately 5″. A negative print of the 304 Å image is matched with a positive print of the 10 830 Å image so that corresponding features of the chromospheric network (including active regions) appear identical in the two images. Differences between these images include the facts that:

1. Disk filaments and limb darkening are strongly visible in the 10 830 Å positive image, but they are weakly visible (as lightenings) in the 304 Å negative image.
2. The contrast between the chromospheric network and the network cell centers is much greater in the 10 830 Å image than in the 304 Å negative image.

These results provide constraints on models of helium line formation in various types of solar features.     

Helium 10830 Å measurements of the Sun

Measurements of the Sun in the near-infrared He i 10830 Å absorption line were performed using the echelle spectrograph with a dispersion of 6.71 mÅ per pixel at the Vacuum Tower Telescope (German Solar Telescopes, Teide Observatory, Izaña, Tenerife, Spain) on May 26, 1993. These measurements were compared with full-disc soft X-ray images of the Sun (Japanese solar satellite Yohkoh), full-disc solar images in H (Big Bear Solar Observatory), full-disc solar images in the He i 10830 Å line (National Solar Observatory, Kitt Peak) and with full-disc microwave solar maps at 37 GHz (Metsähovi Radio Research Station). In the He 10830 Å line the Sun displays a limb darkening similar to that in the visible part of the spectrum. Active regions and H filaments show a strong absorption in the He 10830 Å line, whereas the absorption is weak in coronal holes.     

Periodic variations of the Ba II 4554 Å and Ca II 8542 Å line profiles in coronal holes

The oscillations of the half-width of the Ba II 4554 ? and Ca II 8542 ? spectral lines have been analyzed using observations at the base of solar coronal holes (CHs). The observed variations (~50 m ? for Ca II and ~4 m ? for Ba II) exceed considerably the thermal broadenings of these lines calculated from the measured intensity oscillations, suggesting their nonthermal nature. We point out a number of observational facts that hamper an unambiguous interpretation of the periodic Ba II and Ca II profile variations solely by the manifestation of torsional Alfve´ n waves in the lower solar atmosphere.     

Optical spectrum of the post-AGB Star HD56126 in the wavelength interval 4010-8790 Å Å

The optical spectrum of the post-AGB star HD56126 identified with the infrared source IRAS07134+1005 is studied in detail using high spectral resolution observations (R = 25000 and 60000) performed with the echelle spectrographs of the 6-m telescope. A total of about one and a half thousand absorptions of neutral atoms and ions, absorption bands of C₂, CN, and CH molecules, and interstellar bands (DIBs) are identified in the 4012 to 8790 Å Å wavelength interval, and the depths and radial velocities of these spectral features are measured. Differences are revealed between the variations of the radial velocities measured from spectral features of different excitation. In addition to the well-known variability of the Hα profile, we found variations in the profiles of a number of FeII, YII, and BaII lines. We also produce an atlas of the spectrum of HD56126 and its comparison star α Per. The full version of the Atlas is available in electronic form from: http://www.sao.ru/hq/ssl/Atlas/Atlas.html.     

Spectral Line Selection for HMI: A Comparison of Fe I 6173 Å and Ni I 6768 Å

We present a study of two spectral lines, Fe I 6173 Å and Ni I 6768 Å, that were candidates to be used in the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) for observing Doppler velocity and the vector magnetic field. The line profiles were studied using the Mt. Wilson Observatory, the Advanced Stokes Polarimeter and the Kitt Peak-McMath Pierce telescope and one-meter Fourier transform spectrometer atlas. Both Fe I and Ni I profiles have clean continua and no blends that threaten instrument performance. The Fe I line is 2% deeper, 15% narrower, and has a 6% smaller equivalent width than the Ni I line. The potential of each spectral line to recover pre-assigned solar conditions is tested using a least-squares minimization technique to fit Milne-Eddington models to tens of thousands of line profiles that have been sampled at five spectral positions across the line. Overall, the Fe I line has a better performance than the Ni I line for vector-magnetic-field retrieval. Specifically, the Fe I line is able to determine field strength, longitudinal and transverse flux four times more accurately than the Ni I line in active regions. Inclination and azimuthal angles can be recovered to ≈2^° above 600 Mx cm^?2 for Fe I and above 1000 Mx cm^?2 for Ni I. Therefore, the Fe I line better determines the magnetic-field orientation in plage, whereas both lines provide good orientation determination in penumbrae and umbrae. We selected the Fe I spectral line for use in HMI due to its better performance for magnetic diagnostics while not sacrificing velocity information. The one exception to the better performance of the Fe I line arises when high field strengths combine with high velocities to move the spectral line beyond the effective sampling range. The higher g _eff of Fe I means that its useful range of velocity values in regions of strong magnetic field is smaller than Ni I.     

The solar radiation between 3300 and 12500 Å

Results are presented, which follow from the merging of: (a) our previously published absolute integrals of the disk-center intensity for 20 Å wide spectral bands; (b) the ratios of mean to central intensity derived from recent observations of the center-to-limb variation of those bands ( <6600 Å); (c) the ratios of mean to central intensity derived from the observations of the center-to-limb variation at continuum-wavelengths according to Pierce and Slaughter ( >6600 Å); (d) the high resolution Fourier transform spectra obtained by J. Brault at Kitt Peak for the disk-center and the irradiance; (e) some further auxiliary data, which served mainly to eliminate the local perturbations caused by lines of telluric molecular bands.The main result is the presentation of high precision radiation data for both the integrated disk and the disk-center, concerning the line-averaged radiation and the continuum (in UV: highest window-intensities) as well.The internal accuracy (the scatter) should not be worse than that of the FTS spectra, which is less than 0.2% (mean error); local systematic deviations exceeding 0.5% are not to be expected. The absence of a significant systematic error - neutral or wavelength-dependent - has been proven already elsewhere.     

On the λ 2800 Å interstellar extinction feature

We answer our critics and confirm the reality of a feature in the interstellar extinction curve near 2800 Å for stars showing abnormally low graphite absorption.     

Spectrophotometry of Pluto from 3500 to 7350 Å

We have obtained spectra of Pluto on six nights during February 1979 using the Cassegrain Digicon spectrograph on the 2.1-m Struve reflector and the IDS spectrograph on the 2.7-m reflector of McDonald Observatory. These spectra, with nominal resolution of 6–7 Å, have been reduced to relative fluxes. Relative albedos were then calculated using the solar irradiances of Arvesen et al. (1969). The spectra taken in the blue show no indication of the upturn in albedo at $\text{λ < 3800}\text{A}\text{?}$ previously reported by Fix et al. (1970). The lack of a uv upturn cannot be interpreted in terms of a Rayleigh scattering atmosphere unless the albedo of the underlying surface is known. From the lack of methane absorption at the wavelength of the 6190- or 7270-Å methane bands we derive an upper limit of 1–3 m-am of gaseous CH₄. The albedo curve has a constant slope between 3500 and 7300 Å. The only other solar system body which has this feature is an S-type asteroid.     

Absolute spectrophotometry of Neptune: 3390 to 7800 Å

Absolute spectrophotometry of Neptune from 3390 to 7800 Å, with spectral resolution of 10 Å in the interval 3390–6055 and 20 Å in the interval 6055–7800 Å, is reported. The results are compared with filter photometry (Appleby, 1973; Wamsteker, 1973; Savage et al., 1980) and with synthetic spectra computed on the basis of a parameterization proposed by Podolak and Danielson (1977) for aerosol scattering and absorption. A CH₄/H₂ ratio of is derived for the convectively mixed part of Neptune's atmosphere, and constrains optical properties of hypothetical aerosol layers.     

The 2200 Å extinction hump and porous graphite grains

We discuss in this paper the possibility of interpreting the 2200 Å band occurring in the interstellar extinction curves as being attributed to porous graphite. The results show that grains with radii smaller than 0.015 m and a porosity degree within the values 0.02f0.25 are able to fit satisfactorily the peak at 4.6 m^–1 and the band shape between 4 and 5.2 m^–1. Consideration of the expected density for such particles seems to confirm that interstellar grains may be porous but, at the same time, suggests that care must be taken when data concerning dust in the solar system are extrapolated to the interstellar space.     

The helium 10830 Å line in the undisturbed chromosphere

A study of the solar spectrum near helium 10 830 Å has shown that, where the line is very weak, the anomalous ratio of the two components is due almost certainly to faint blends. The centre-limb intensity variation over supergranule centres is in good agreement with an optically-thin law. The line is stronger over supergranule boundaries, and the ratio of the two components can be understood only if the absorbing elements have been resolved incompletely (as is probable); using centre-limb intensity variations, we have been unable to distinguish between unresolved horizontal platelets or inclined slabs.The integrated absorption in 10 830 Å over supergranule centres is double that at the boundaries. An analysis of the extension of 10 830 Å beyond the limb has failed to reveal the relative contributions from these two regions or their variations with height (though the supergranule-centre emission should be located relatively low). Line profiles in 10 830 Å, hydrogen Pa and Caii 8542 Å indicate that, out to at least 5000 km, line broadening is effectively non-thermal, with horizontal rms velocities of about 20 km s^–1.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Identification of the λ2200 Å Interstellar Absorption Feature

We show that heterocyclic aromatic compounds could explain the interstellar absorption feature at 2200 Å, requiring 10% of the available interstellar C and N to be tied up in this form.     

OSO-7 results on coronal emission near 304 Å

The spectral composition and spatial distribution of equatorial coronal emission near 304 Å is examined. Spectral scans indicate that the predominant line is from Si xi. Comparisons of observations with calculations of intensity changes with altitude indicate that collisional excitation is important near the Sun but that photoexcitation becomes dominant beyond about 1.3 R _⊙ from the solar center. Observed and calculated intensities are in approximate agreement for abundances and electron densities that are within the range of observed values.     

X-ray VS Heii λ1640 Å correlation of II Peg

The Heii 1640 Å emission feature on the IUE spectra of II Peg has been compared with the observed X-ray flux. The atmospheric activity level is determined by comparing the several diagnostic line intensities with the solar case.     

Observation of OI 1300 Å radiation in the Martian atmosphere

Measurements from the 1225 to 1340 Å region by the ultraviolet detectors on Mars-3 are presented. Model calculations of the intensity of the OI triplet lines at 1304 Å are compared with the measurements made on December 27, 1971, and February 17, 1972. Agreement is found between experimental data and a model in which the neutral oxygen density at 100 km is 2–8 × 10⁹ cm^?3.     

The Formation of MgI 4571 Å in the solar atmosphere

The two-dimensional equation of transfer is solved for the case of locally-controlled source function (LTE) and radiationally-controlled ionization. Horizontal fluctuations in electron temperature and macroscopic velocity fields are superposed on the basic one-dimensional model (cf. Altrock and Cannon, 1972). Output intensities are compared with observed rms intensity fluctuations and spatially-averaged intensities in Mg i 4571 Å. We find that at least one model (with a height-independent temperature fluctuation T/T=±0.02 in the range 0h450 km) can predict the magnitude of the intensity fluctuations in both the continuum and 4571 Å. The asymmetry of the line can be explained by adding a height-independent, temperature-correlated flow of amplitude 1 to 2 km s^–1. The relationship between these results and other multi-dimensional analyses is discussed.On leave from Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.     

Graphite grains,carbon depletion and the 2200 Å feature

In a recent paper Millar has shown that if one assumes that the carbon depleted from the gas phase is all tied up into small graphite grains the observational data raise serious doubts against the hypothesis that these particles are responsible for the 2200 Å extinction hump. In the present paper it is shown that this problem may be overcome if the presence in the interstellar space of graphite grains with sizes greater than 0.02 is taken into account. The derived ratios between the masses of large grains, which do not contribute to the ultraviolet extinction hump, and those of the small ones varies from region to region of the sky and are consistent with those evaluated in the circumstellar shells of carbon stars. Moreover, the largest sizes of the graphite particles we find are in agreement with those needed to fit the interstellar extinction curve over the wavelength range 0.11–<1 .     

Automatic Detection of Limb Prominences in 304 Å EUV Images

A new algorithm for automatic detection of prominences on the solar limb in 304 Å EUV images is presented, and results of its application to SOHO/EIT data discussed. The detection is based on the method of moments combined with a classifier analysis aimed at discriminating between limb prominences, active regions, and the quiet corona. This classifier analysis is based on a Support Vector Machine (SVM). Using a set of 12 moments of the radial intensity profiles, the algorithm performs well in discriminating between the above three categories of limb structures, with a misclassification rate of 7%. Pixels detected as belonging to a prominence are then used as the starting point to reconstruct the whole prominence by morphological image-processing techniques. It is planned that a catalogue of limb prominences identified in SOHO and STEREO data using this method will be made publicly available to the scientific community.     

Uranus: Disk structure within the 7300-Å methane band

Orthogonal narrow-band (100 Å) photoelectric slit scan photometry of Uranus has been used to infer the basic two-dimensional structure of the disk within the 7300-Å methane band. Numerical image reconstruction and restoration techniques have been applied to quantitatively estimate the degrees of polar and limb brightening on the planet. Through partial removal of atmospheric smearing, an effective spatial resolution of approximately 0.9 arcsec has been achieved. Peak polar, limb, and central intensities on the disk are in the respective proportions 3:2:1. In addition, the bright polar feature is displaced from the geometric pole towards the equator of the planet.     

Chromospheric Sunspot Oscillations in Hα and Ca ii 8542 Å

We study chromospheric oscillations including umbral flashes and running penumbral waves in a sunspot of active region NOAA 11242 using scanning spectroscopy in Hα and Ca?ii 8542 Å with the Fast Imaging Solar Spectrograph (FISS) at the 1.6 meter New Solar Telescope at the Big Bear Solar Observatory. A bisector method is applied to spectral observations to construct chromospheric Doppler-velocity maps. Temporal-sequence analysis of these shows enhanced high-frequency oscillations inside the sunspot umbra in both lines. Their peak frequency gradually decreases outward from the umbra. The oscillation power is found to be associated with magnetic-field strength and inclination, with different relationships in different frequency bands.