UBVRI photometry of the eclipsing symbiotic star CI Cyg during 1991–1996

UBVRI observations of the eclipsing symbiotic star CI Cyg made during 1991–1995 are analyzed, the results of which indicate that the system is in the same quiescent state as during 1985–1990. Variations in the "extra-eclipse" color index U-B with an amplitude of about 0^m.3–0^m.4 and a characteristic time of about 9–10 yr have been detected for the first time. A more thorough analysis of all available data in the UBVRI bands of the spectrum will be required to investigate the existence of possible long-period variations in the other color indices and brightness of the system.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 211–216, April–June, 1996.     

B,V photometry of Markarian 421 (B2 1101+38) from 1982 to 1991

Results are shown for photoelectric B and V observations of Markarian 421 (Mrk 421) from 1982 to 1991. It is found that one can explain the dependence of the color indices (B-V) averaged for a season on the B magnitude within a two-component model (an underlying galaxy + a variable point source). It is determined that the color index (B-V) _var of the variable source does not change, and the observed variability of the color index is caused by variation of the contribution from the variable source to the total flux.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 285–300, April–June, 1994.V. A. Hagen-Thorn and V. A. Yakovleva are grateful to the American Astronomical Society for financial support in 1993.     

On the Relations between Infrared Colors and Mass Loss Rates for S Stars

A relation between the infrared color K-[12] and the mass loss rate, dM/dt,is found for the intrinsic S stars. This relation is qualitatively similarto the ones for carbon stars and oxygen-rich Mira stars, but quantitativelydifferent. It could be useful in the context of the near infrared surveys,DENIS and 2MASS, which are in progress. Correlations between J-K and[12]–[25] indices and dM/dt are found to be loose for S stars.     

A possible interpretation of the optical spectrum for BL Lac-type objects

On the basis of Sobolev's method, the population of 30 levels of hydrogen atom is determined allowing for the radiative and collision processes of the heating and ionization of the medium with velocity gradient gradv=10^–9–10^–11s^–1, electron temperatureT _e=10⁴ K-2×10⁴ K and electron densityN _e=10¹⁰ cm^–3–10¹¹ cm^–3. The central source radiation is characterized by a power spectrum with spectral indices varying from 0 to 2. A region of possible physical conditions is found where the thermal diffuse radiation of the envelope exceeds the emission in the Balmer H line.     

Some Characteristics of the Circumstellar Shells of Stars with Variability of the R Coronae Borealis Type

The transformation of the line and molecular spectra of R CrB from absorption to emission at the 1985 minimum is traced from spectroscopic observations, and it is concluded for the first time, from a comparison with light curves and color indices, that the rapid variation of the color index U – B by –0^m.6 during fading is due exclusively to this transformation. The transformation of the spectrum can result in an increase in the star's brightness in the UBV photometric bands by about 1^m.4, 0^m.75, and up to 0^m.75, respectively. This removes one of the main objections to using the concept of a homogeneous spherical shell to interpret the R Coronae Borealis phenomenon. High-resolution spectroscopic observations of SV Sge, a star with variability of the R Coronae Borealis type, showed the presence of an intense circumstellar component in Na I D lines with a violet shift corresponding to 240 km/sec, which is unrelated to visible brightness minima. It is suggested that a stream of matter with such a velocity through the star's vicinity is the cause of the excitation not only of the broad emission features observed during brightness minima upon fading of the photospheric emission but also of the narrow ones. Assuming that a brightness minimum is associated with the temporary formation of another spherical screening shell, some characteristics of the permanent shell are determined. Its optical depth and geometrical thickness are 0.2-0.7 and at least 0.4 of its radius, respectively.     

9,6-Year periodicity of symbiotic nova RT Ser (1909) during the outburst decay from 1940 to 1994

The behavior of the symbiotic nova RT Ser from 1940 to 1994 from photographic observations made at the Gissar Observatory (1940–1978) and BVR-band observations at the Crimean Observatory (1983–1994) is analyzed. The outburst lightcurve shows a linear decline at a rate of 0^m.06 per year. It appears from the nature of the outburst attenuation that the fading, having already lasted about 80 yr, is still continuing. Judging from the color indices, the principal contribution to the visible light from the system is made by a cool, late-type red giant and hot gas the source of which is, as yet, unknown. The photometric variability observed in the BVR bands with a characteristic time of 10 yr is confirmed by photographic observations of 1928–1978. The period determined from all the data is 9.6 yr and is most likely orbital.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 31–40, January–March, 1996.     

Radio emission of fast cosmic ions

It is usually assumed that the ions of cosmic rays contribute nothing to the observable electromagnetic radiation. However, this is true only when these ions are moving in a vacuum or a quiet (nonturbulent) plasma. In the case of fast ions in a turbulent plasma, there is an effective nonlinear mechanism of radiation which is discussed in this paper. The fast ion (relativistic or nonrelativistic) moving in the plasma creates a polarization cloud around itself which also moves with the particles. The turbulent plasma waves may scatter on the moving electric field of this polarization cloud. In the process of this scattering an electromagnetic wave with frequency (2.7) is generated. Let ₁ and k₁ be the frequency and wave vector of turbulent plasma waves,V is the velocity of the ion, and is the angle between the wave vector of electromagnetic radiation and the direction of the ion velocity. The method of calculating the probability of the conversion of plasma waves (k₁) into electromagnetic waves (k) by scattering on an ion with velocityV is described in detal in Section 2 (Equation (2.14)).The spectral coefficients of spontaneous radiation in the case of scattering of plasma waves on polarization clouds created by fast nonrelativistic ions are given in (3.6) for an ion energy distribution function (3.4) and in (3.8) for more general evaluations. The Equations (3.9)–(3.13) describe the spectral coefficients of spontaneous emission for different modes of plasma turbulence (Langmuir (3.9), electron cyclotron in a weak (3.10) or strong (3.11) magnetic field and ion acoustic (3.12)–(3.13) waves). The coefficients of reabsorption or induced emission are given by Equations (3.14) and (3.16)–(3.19). There is a maser effect in the case of scattering of plasma waves on a stream of ions. The effective temperature of the spontaneous emission is given by Equation (3.15). The spectral coefficients of radiation due to scattering of plasma waves on relativistic ions are calculated in the same manner (Equations (4.14)–(4.15)). The total energy loss due to this radiation is given in Equations (4.23)–(4.25). The coefficients of induced emission are given in (4.26)–(4.28).The results are discussed in Section 5. It is shown that the loss of energy by nonlinear plasma radiation is much smaller than the ionization loss. However, the coefficients of synchrotron radiation of electrons and nonlinear radiation of ions under cosmic conditions may be comparable in the case of a weak magnetic field and fairly low frequencies (5.5)–(5.6). Usually the spectrum of nonlinear plasma radiation is steeper than in the case of synchroton radiation. Equation (5.10) gives the condition for nonlinear radiation to prevail over thermal radiation.Translated by D. F. Smith.     

Radiation transport in a cylinder. I. Resolvent of the fundamental integral equation

A new method is presented for calculating spectral line radiation transport in a homogeneous circular cylinder with infinitely long axis for isotropic scattering with complete frequency redistribution or no change in frequency. In addition to the cylinder, scattering in a layer symmetric about its midpoint and in a sphere are also studied. Equations are derived which are satisfied by the resolvent of the fundamental integral equation describing these cases of scattering. By applying a Hankel transform over a finite interval, the resolvent is expressed in terms of an auxiliary function. An equation is derived for this auxiliary function which is easily soluble by iteration, with the speed of its convergence increasing with growth in the radius of the scattering region.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 111–127, January–March, 1994.This study was carried out with financial support from the Russian Fund for Fundamental Studies (project 93-02-2957).     

Solar irradiance between 120 and 400nm and its variations

The solar ultraviolet irradiance measurements in the 120–400 nm wavelength range are reviewed and compared showing still important discrepancies between the irradiance values deduced from the most recent observations.The possible variations of the solar ultraviolet irradiances with the 27-day rotation period of the Sun and with the 11-year activity cycle are presented and discussed on the basis of the available irradiation fluxes obtained during the rising phase of solar cycle 21.The spectral features of both kinds of variation are clearly related to the solar atmospheric layer from which the corresponding radiation is emitted.Proceedings of the 14th ESLAB Symposium on Physics of Solar Variations, 16–19 September 1980, Scheveningen, The Netherlands.     

Correlations between environment and other properties of galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey at fixed color

From the volume-limited Main galaxy sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 6 (SDSS DR6), we construct three samples with g–r color bins , labeled S1–S3, to investigate how other properties of galaxies depend on environment at fixed color. For each sample, we measure the local three-dimensional galaxy density in a comoving sphere with radius equal to the distance to the 5th nearest galaxy for each galaxy, select about 5% galaxies and construct the two subsamples at both extremes of density. Our study suggests that the environmental dependence of luminosity is mainly due to the environmental dependence of galaxy color and the correlation between color and luminosity. In addition, we preferentially conclude that concentration index and morphologies are not strongly correlated with local density at fixed color, and that galaxy color is a galaxy property very predictive of the local environment. Because SDSS spectroscopy is incomplete for bright galaxies at very low redshifts, we also use a volume-limited Main galaxy sample with a lower redshift limit z = 0.05, which contains 94,954 galaxies at 0.05 < z < 0.089 with −22.40 < M_r < −20.16, and reach the same conclusions.Due to the bimodality of the u–r color distribution, we classify galaxies as ‘red’ and ‘blue’, respectively, and further subdivide the samples into star-forming galaxies and passive ones using Hα equivalent width, W₀(Hα). Results show that color and star formation activity of galaxies are galaxy properties very predictive of the local environment.     

Multicolor photoelectric and photographic observations of the long-period variable Y Ori

Results of observations of the long-period variable Y Ori are presented. The photoelectric observations in UBVR were made at the 60-cm telescope of the high-altitude Maydanak station of the Tashkent Astronomical Institute during the autumn of 1989. The UBVR lightcurves as well as the variations in the color indices U-B, B-V, and V-R are presented. The photographic observations were made at the 40 Schmidt telescope of the Byurakan Observatory and at the 70-cm Maksutov telescope of the Abastumani Observatory. A nebulosity was discovered around Y Ori in red light near the brightness maximum. Such a formation is observed for the first time, not only for Y Ori but also for long-period variables in general. The obtained results are discussed in this work.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 5–15, January–March, 1995.     

Periodicities of solar irradiance and solar activity indices,II

Using a dynamic power spectral analysis technique, the time-varying nature of solar periodicities is investigated for background X-ray flux, 10.7 cm flux, several indices to UV chromospheric flux, total solar irradiance, projected sunspot areas, and a sunspot blocking function. Many prior studies by a host of authors have differed over a wide range on solar periodicities. This investigation was designed to help resolve the differences by examining how periodicities change over time, and how the power spectra of solar data depend on the layer of the solar atmosphere. Using contour diagrams that show the percent of total power over time for periods ranging from 8 to 400 days, the transitory nature of solar periodicities is demonstrated, including periods at 12–14, 26–28, 51–52, and approximately 154 days. Results indicate that indices related to strong magnetic fields show the greatest variation in the number of periodicities, seldom persist for more than three solar rotations, and are highly variable in their frequency and amplitude. Periodicities found in the chromospheric indices are fewer, persist for up to 8–12 solar rotations, and are more stable in their frequency and amplitude. An additional result, found in all indices to varying degrees and related to the combined effects of solar rotation and active region evolution, is the fashion in which periodicities vary from about 20 to 36 days. I conclude that the solar data examined here are both quasi-periodic and quasistationary, with chromospheric indices showing the longest intervals of stationarity, and data representing strong magnetic fields showing the least stationarity. These results may have important implications to the results of linear statistical analysis techniques that assume stationarity, and in the interpretation of time series studies of solar variability.     

The relationship betweenG andh in a closed Universe

In a closed expanding-contracting Universe, matter will be subject to an inward acceleration large enough to prevent perpetual expansion. A closed Universe must also perform a simple harmonic motion, which might consist either of one single cycle or of an infinite series of oscillations about a central point. It is the purpose of this study to find the rate ofa ₀, the cosmic acceleration, from which the gravitational constantG can be determined. It will be shown from Ampère's equation and Planck's radiation law that it is possible to derivea ₀=7.623×10^–12 ms^–2, a value which also conforms with the uncertainty principle. The relationship betweena ₀ and electromagnetic radiation is based on the concept that charges (such as electrons) must emit radiation while accelerating. The rate ofa ₀ yields a universal gravitational constant ofG=6.645×10^–11 N m² kg^–2.     

The transfer of Lyman continuum radiation in chromospheric flares

We study the time evolution of a layer of the middle or lower chromosphere being heated by a stream of energetic particles during a solar flare. The region, which is not in LTE, is allowed to cool by the transfer of Lyman continuum radiation, with collisional as well as radiative processes being considered. The resulting time dependence of the electron density and the effective thickness of the layer are in good agreement with values derived from observations. We assume the supply of energetic particles to be cut off when the central electron density of our model layer reaches the peak value of n _e = 4.4 × 10¹³ cm^–3 derived from observations of an importance 3 flare. Depending on the total hydrogen density assumed, the central electron temperature reaches a value ranging from 8000 to 10000 K. These quantities decrease by 20% during the following minute and at a slower rate thereafter.     

Calculated atmospheric color refraction and observed stellar positions

Astrometric observations at different zenith distances have been performed in Dresden in an area centered atNGC 6791 where there are some stars with reliable color information (widely dispersed spectral types in the MK systemand color indices B_T – V_T) as well as with accurate positions from Tycho‐2 catalog. The results are used to estimate how significant improvements in stellar positions may be when accurate corrections for color refraction are taken into account. We have treated two cases for refraction calculations: (1) a photometric case for color indices and (2) a spectral case for spectral types and luminosity classes. To calculate refraction we use Stone's modified computer code (Malyuto & Meinel 2000). To treat the photometric case we have calculated the synthetic color indices for the spectral energy distributions of Sviderskiene (1988). The positional improvements due to including color refraction corrections are significant and slightly larger in the spectral case. An improvement of about 15% is reached at a zenith distance of 65°. Our basic conclusion is that color refraction should be taken into account for obtaining accurate stellar positions from ground based observations at larger zenith distances. Reliable refraction corrections may be calculated from spectral and/or photometric data.     

Power-law spectra of 1–2 GHz narrowband dm-spikes

Twelve examples of clouds of narrowband dm-spikes, observed by the Ondejov radiospectrograph in the 1–2 GHz frequency range, are analyzed. After transforming of the frequency scales to heights in the solar atmosphere, the indices of the power-law power spectra are determined. The derived power-law indices are scattered in a broad range of values (–0.80––2.85). In some cases they considerably deviate from the previously found value of –5/3. A change of the power-law index above logk2.5 was also found in some cases. In the two longest events the time evolution of their power spectra as well as their indices were studied. While in most parts of the radio spectra the spectral index remains constant, in one part its absolute value increases with the spike intensity increase. Finally, the results, especially the broad range of power-law indices, are briefly discussed.     

Black-body temperature of a closed Universe

In a closed gravitationally-bound Universe we are subject to an inward accelerationa ₀. One consequence of this acceleration is that matter will radiate and create a black-body spectrum throughout the Universe. Using the valuea ₀=7.623×10^–12 ms^–2 and a radiation formula from a previously-described cosmological model (Wåhlin, 1981), we obtain a black-body temperature of 2.766 K.     

Atmospheric Disturbances and Radiation Impulses Caused by Large-Meteoroid Impacts on the Surface of Mars. II. Radiation Impulse Characteristics and Parameters of the Warm Layer

This paper presents the results of the calculation of spectral and angular characteristics of radiation emitted by the disturbed region after the vertical impacts on the Martian surface of stony meteoroids with radii R ₀ from 1 to 100 m at speeds of 11–20 km/s. The time dependences are given for the density of the radiation flux incident on horizontal surface areas located at different distances from the impact point. For small impactors (R ₀= 1 m), the heating of the surface and surrounding gas by the radiation impulse from the hot region formed after the impact is insignificant even at the crater edge. However, the radiation impulse that heats up the surface is also emitted during the meteoroid flight through the atmosphere. Although this heating is insufficient to initiate evaporation, heat transfer by turbulent diffusion leads to the formation of a layer with temperatures that substantially exceed the initial temperature of the atmosphere. For large impactors (R ₀ = 100 m), the total specific impulse of the plume radiation gives rise to the emergence of the heated layer with a thickness on the order of several meters within several kilometers of the impact point. The formation of this warm layer may lead to the formation of a high-speed jet moving along the Martian surface as well as eddies at the front of the precursor with a subsequent intense rise of dust.     

On the relation of mid-infrared emission with the gamma-ray properties of Fermi-detected BL Lac objects

We present the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) photometric data of 158 Fermi-detected BL Lacs and investigate the nature of their mid-infrared (MIR) continuum emission. In the [3.4]-[4.6]-[12] μm color–color diagram, nearly all their colors lie within the WISE Blazar strip (WBS), which is an effective diagnostic tool to separate sources dominated by non-thermal radiation from those dominated by thermal radiation. This feature indicates that their MIR emission is predominantly non-thermal. This argument is further supported by the strong radio-MIR flux correlation. We derive their MIR spectral indices and compare them with the near-infrared (NIR) spectral indices. We find that there is a prevalent steepening from MIR spectrum to NIR spectrum. The low-frequency-peaked BL Lacs (LBLs) have on average a larger MIR spectral index and a higher MIR luminosity than the high-frequency-peaked BL Lacs (HBLs), and the intermediate-frequency-peaked BL Lacs (IBLs) appear to bridge them. The MIR-γ-ray flux correlation is highly significant. A strong positive correlation is also found between the MIR and γ-ray spectral indices. The γ-ray-MIR loudness is significantly correlated with the synchrotron peak frequency. Finally we propose that the γ-rays are highly associated with the MIR emission from the jet, and the γ-ray emission is likely from the synchrotron self-Compton process for the Fermi-detected BL Lacs in our sample.     

On a possible model of the object Cyg X-3

According to the proposed model of the Cyg X-3, it should be recognized as a binary system consisting of a pulsar and an usual star. The plasma with the frozen-in field flows out from the star. The electromagnetic continuous spectrum in the range from radio to gamma radiation owes its origin to the interaction of electrons accelerated by a pulsar with the magnetic field of the stream. The influence of the inverse Compton effect on the spectral distribution of radiation has been considered by the numerical calculations of a system of kinetic equations. The calculations show remarkable agreement with the measurements, if the particle energy spectrum is expressed as dN/dE=AE ^–2.2. The lower limit of the accelerated particle energy equals approximately 10^–2 erg.The situation of the peak of gamma-quantum radiation of very high energy in respect to the minimum in the X-ray radiation can be explained in terms of the suggested model.