Temperature difference between the equator and the poles of the sun

A possible variation of the photospheric temperature from the equator to the poles is investigated through the observation of the variation of the equivalent width of selected spectral lines sensitive to temperature variations. The present observations, made during the summer of 1964, show that the temperature variations, if any, must roughly be smaller than 1% of the limit temperature. A possible dependence of the temperature variations on the phase of the solar cycle has also been examined and it seems that no definite statement may be done at present. There are, however, some reasonable suspects that no temperature difference between poles and equator may exist at any time.     

Pioneer 10 and 11 observations and the dynamics of Jupiter's atmosphere

Three new results of the Pioneer 10 and 11 mission are discussed. The first is that effective temperature is the same at the poles and equator in spite of the large differences in solar energy deposition. This is consistent with theories of convection which suggest that an extremely small equator-to-pole temperature difference at the level of infrared emission could suppress the internal heat flux at the equator relative to the pole by an amount sufficient to balance the difference in solar energy deposition.The second result is that the effective temperature of belts is 3 to 4K greater than that of zones, which is almost exactly accounted for by the lower albedo of belts. This result cannot be interpreted uniquely, but is consistent with a model in which the internal heat flux is the same under belts and zones, and the horizontal atmospheric heat flux is zero.The third observation provides evidence of instability along the south edges of zones in the northern hemisphere. These are the latitudes of minimum prograde velocity, where instability is most likely to occur in a barotropic fluid, as pointed out by Ingersoll and Cuzzi (1969). A more realistic baroclinic stability analysis suggests instability at these same latitudes.     

Convection in a rotating deep compressible spherical shell: Application to the Sun

In this paper we study the interaction of rotation with convection in a deep compressible spherical shell as the Sun's convection zone. We examine how the energy transport and the large scale motions can be affected by rotation. In particular we study how a large scale meridional circulation can give rise to variations of angular velocity with latitude and depth.It is assumed that the energy transport is only due to convection and that the mixing-length theory gives an adequate representation of it. Furthermore we assume that rotation acts as a perturbation of the turbulent convective flux through its transport coefficient.The equations involved in the model are integrated numerically in the limit of large viscosity and slow rotation. After having expanded all physical quantities to the first order in terms of Legendre polynomials, the fitting with the observed solar differential rotation gives the expansion parameter, which represents the coupling constant between rotation and convection.The results show a three-cell circulation extending from the poles to the equator. The first one is located in the lower half of the convection zone with the fluid rising at the equator and sinking at the poles. In the second one the direction of the motion is reversed while the third one, located in a thin upper layer, shows the same characteristics of the first one. The meridional velocities at the surface are directed towards the poles and are about 20 cm s^-1. In the other cells the meridional velocities are typically of a few cm s^-1 while the radial velocities are of the order of a few tenths of cm s^-1.The heat flux relative variation at the surface is about 10^-4 (3 × 10^-3 at the bottom) with a polar excess. The temperature variation at the surface is of the same order, with an equatorial excess however. The convection seems to be stabilized stronger at the equator. The angular velocity increases inwards and varies about 6% between the surface and the bottom of the convection zone.An attempt is made for explaining the picture which emerges. In particular the negligible flux and temperature variations at the surface are explained in terms of equalization by the particular structure of the latitudinal flow. This configuration of large scale circulation is attributed to the high stratification of the convection zone with depth.     

Electron density and temperature in the Io plasma torus from Ulysses thermal noise measurements

During the Ulysses flyby of Jupiter, the spacecraft crossed the outer part of the Io plasma torus along a basically North-to-South trajectory at a Jovicentric distance of about 8R_J. The quasi-thermal noise measured by the Unified Radio and Plasma Wave (URAP) experiment is used to deduce the electron density and temperature along the trajectory. The density is deduced from the upper hybrid frequency line and the temperature from the spin modulation of Bernstein waves. These results are used to build a simplified Gaussian model of the torus. The density profile is roughly symmetric with respect to the centrifugal equator, with a scale height of about 0.9R_J. The density at equator crossing is twice as large as that expected from the Divine-Garrett Voyager-based model at the same radial distance. The density scale height is lower than that found by Voyager 1; it is consistent with an ion temperature of about 5 × 10⁵K, assuming an effective mass of about 20 proton masses. The fitting of the pressure distribution, symmetric with respect to the centrifugal equator, yields a cold electron temperature of about 1.4 × 10⁵K at the equator, which is of the same order of magnitude as found by Voyager 1.     

Upper air density derived from the orbits of Discoverer satellites and its variation with latitude

Observations on artificial satellites have been used to investigate how the air density at heights between 190 and 260 km varies with latitude The Discoverer series of satellites was used because the position of their perigees moved over the latitude range from 80°S to 80°N.

It is concluded that the air density at a fixed height is a function of latitude and is about 30 per cent smaller at the poles than at the equator. This result is applicable to a local time of 14^h in the years 1959–1960: it is different from that obtained by Groves who concluded that the density is independent of latitude.     

Differential rotation caused by anisotropic turbulent viscosity

The law of rotation as well as the corresponding meridional circulations in the hydrogen convection zone (HCZ) are investigated by solving numerically the time independent Navier-Stokes equations. The HCZ is assumed to be a spherical layer of fluid with constant density and viscosity. It is assumed further that the viscosity is caused by unisotropic turbulent motions.The results show differential rotation together with circulations. The detailed behaviour depends on a parameters characterizing the nonisotropic friction and on the kinematic viscosityv. If the friction is larger in radial direction than in lateral directions (0 s < 1) the poles rotate faster than the equator and the circulation rises at the equator and falls at the poles; if friction is smaller in radial direction (s > 1) the equator rotates faster and the sense of the circulation is reversed. The differential rotation observed at the solar surface is obtained for the values = 1.2.For small values ofv the angular velocity is constant on cylindrical surfaces, for large values ofv it is constant on spherical surfaces. The solar law of rotation turns out to be very close to the first case.Based on the author's Thesis in Göttingen.     

Latitude and cycle variations of the photospheric network

New measurements of the number density of the Network Bright Points confirm the variation of the density of the photospheric network at the centre of the disk during the solar cycle and that in the period 1983–1985, this number density (i.e. the magnetic flux in the quiet sun) was maximum, both at the poles and at the equator.     

The density and temperature structure near the exobase of Saturn from Cassini UVIS solar occultations

We analyzed 15 solar occultations observed by the Cassini UVIS instrument to constrain the density and temperature structure near the exobase of Saturn. We retrieved the density of H₂ and thus the temperature at altitudes higher than 1900 km above the 1 bar level by analyzing the ionization continuum of H₂ at wavelengths shorter than 804 Å. We find that the exospheric temperature ranges from 370 K to 540 K, with a typical uncertainty of less than 20 K. According to our data the temperature increases with latitude from the equator to the poles by 100–150 K. At similar latitudes, the temperature varies by 20–50 K at different times with no evidence for any systematic diurnal trend so far. Based on our data, the exobase of Saturn is 2700–3000 km above the 1 bar level and the thermal escape parameter near the exobase ranges from 260 to 340, implying that thermal escape from Saturn is firmly in the Jeans regime. The mixing ratio of H₂ is close to unity at all altitudes below the exobase. We find that the pressure levels in the thermosphere deviate significantly from a simple spheroid predicted by potential theory. This is consistent with significant meridional temperature variations in the lower thermosphere. A global analysis of the temperature structure at different depths in the atmosphere is required to constrain both the shape and the deposition and redistribution of energy in the upper atmosphere further.     

Potential effects of obliquity change on gas hydrate stability zones on Mars

Methane hydrate dissociation due to obliquity-driven temperature change has been suggested as a potential source of atmospheric methane plumes recently observed on Mars. This work uses both equilibrium and time-dependent models to determine how geothermal gradients change on Mars as a result of obliquity and predict how these changes affect gas hydrate stability zones (HSZs). The models predict that the depth to the HSZ decreases with increasing latitude for both CO₂ and CH₄ hydrate, with CO₂ hydrate occurring at shallower depths than CH₄ hydrate over all latitudes. The depth of the HSZ increases as surface temperatures warm and decreases as surface temperatures cool with changing obliquity, with the largest change in HSZ volume predicted near the equator and the poles. Therefore, changes in the depth to the HSZ may cause hydrate dissociation near the equator and poles as the geothermal gradient moves in and out of the hydrate stability field over hundreds of thousands of years. Sublimation of overlying ice containing diffused methane could account for recent observations of seasonal methane plumes on Mars. In addition, near-surface gas hydrate reservoirs may be preserved at mid-latitudes due to minimal changes in surface temperature with obliquity over geologic time scales. Comparisons of the predicted changes in the HSZ with hydrate dissociation and diffusion rates reveal that metastable hydrate may also remain in the near subsurface, especially at high latitudes, for millions to billions of years. The presence of methane hydrate in the near subsurface at midlatitudes could be an important analytical target for future Mars missions, as well as serving as a source of fuel for future spacecraft.     

大统一模型与中子星温度分布的研究

本文根据ＳＵ（５）大统一模型耦合Ｅｉｎｓｔｅｉｎ－Ｙａｎｇ－Ｍｉｌｌｓ－Ｈｉｇｇｓ系统导出的旋转度规解，研究了带电荷、磁荷、ＳＵ（３）色荷的中子星表面温度的分布，结果表明：中子星在坍缩过程中可能出现表面温度的反转；同时发现了中子星的赤道与两极的温度差随着电荷与ＳＵ（３）色荷的增加而减小的规律。     

Limb effect of solar absorption lines

Low-noise limb-effect observations of the non-magnetic line Fei 557.6 nm are presented. Separate measurements along the solar equator and the meridian have been carried out and have been corrected for scattered light. The limb-effect line shifts at the pole and at the equatorial limb are found to be equal. The detailed shape of the limb effect along the meridian is found to differ significantly from that along the equator. This difference can be explained by the presence of a meridional circulation pattern, with horizontal flows < 50 m^–1 from both the equator and poles toward ± 45° latitude. Alternatively the meridian/equator difference may be caused by a combination of latitude dependence of the granular parameters. An increase with latitude of the granular velocity scale height, contrast, or mean sizes could explain the observations.     

East-west faults due to planetary contraction

Contraction, expansion and despinning have been common in the past evolution of Solar System bodies. These processes deform the lithosphere until it breaks along faults. Their characteristic tectonic patterns have thus been sought for on all planets and large satellites with an ancient surface. While the search for despinning tectonics has not been conclusive, there is good observational evidence on several bodies for the global faulting pattern associated with contraction or expansion, though the pattern is seldom isotropic as predicted. The cause of the non-random orientation of the faults has been attributed either to regional stresses or to the combined action of contraction/expansion with another deformation (despinning, tidal deformation, reorientation). Another cause of the mismatch may be the neglect of the lithospheric thinning at the equator or at the poles due either to latitudinal variation in solar insolation or to localized tidal dissipation. Using thin elastic shells with variable thickness, I show that the equatorial thinning of the lithosphere transforms the homogeneous and isotropic fault pattern caused by contraction/expansion into a pattern of faults striking east-west, preferably formed in the equatorial region. By contrast, lithospheric thickness variations only weakly affect the despinning faulting pattern consisting of equatorial strike-slip faults and polar normal faults. If contraction is added to despinning, the despinning pattern first shifts to thrust faults striking north-south and then to thrust faults striking east-west. If the lithosphere is thinner at the poles, the tectonic pattern caused by contraction/expansion consists of faults striking north/south. I start by predicting the main characteristics of the stress pattern with symmetry arguments. I further prove that the solutions for contraction and despinning are dual if the inverse elastic thickness is limited to harmonic degree two, making it easy to determine fault orientation for combined contraction and despinning. I give two methods for solving the equations of elasticity, one numerical and the other semi-analytical. The latter method yields explicit formulas for stresses as expansions in Legendre polynomials about the solution for constant shell thickness. Though I only discuss the cases of a lithosphere thinner at the equator or at the poles, the method is applicable for any latitudinal variation of the lithospheric thickness. On Iapetus, contraction or expansion on a lithosphere thinner at the equator explains the location and orientation of the equatorial ridge. On Mercury, the combination of contraction and despinning makes possible the existence of zonal provinces of thrust faults differing in orientation (north-south or east-west), which may be relevant to the orientation of lobate scarps.     

Some properties of the He-w star HD 35502

This is a preliminary study of the star HD 35502. Its magnetic field has been measured in different phases of its period. Preliminary values of the magnetic field parameters have been obtained based on a central quadrupole model. The effective magnetic field Be varies over 0-5000 G, the average surface magnetic field ranges over 6300-6700 G, the field at the poles is Bp=7000 G, and the angle between the quadrupole axis and the axis of rotation is β = 80o. As a first approximation, the surface helium is concentrated around the (negative) pole and for τ > 1 its abundance is reduced by approximately 2-4 dex, which confirms the hypothesis of helium diffusion under the action of gravitation and wind in a stable atmosphere. The chemical elements Si and Cr are concentrated in four spots on the magnetic equator between the magnetic poles, or in a ring coincident with the magnetic equator; precisely which is not clear at present.     

Latitude dependence of magnetic field-line inclinations

It is shown that leading and following magnetic field lines are inclined toward each other by a few degrees at nearly all latitudes in both the north and south hemispheres. The amplitudes of these inclinations are lower by about a factor 3 for weak fields than for strong fields. There are significant differences between the hemispheres and from one activity cycle to the next in the leading and following polarity field-line inclinations at latitudes poleward of the activity latitudes. In a narrow latitude zone just south of the solar equator the inclinations of both the leading and following fields reduce to zero (or perhaps slightly negative values). Although one would expect such a zone at the equator, where diffusion will mix field lines with opposite inclinations from the two hemispheres, it is not clear why this zone should be on one side of the equator only. The results discussed here were obtained with Mount Wilson magnetograph data (1967–1992), and are confirmed in many respects with National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak (NSO/KP) data (1976–1986).Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

The insolation at Pluto

Calculations of the daily solar radiation incident at the top of Pluto's atmosphere and its variability with latitude and season and of the latitudinal variation of the mean annual daily insolation are presented. The large eccentricity of Pluto produces significant north-south seasonal asymmetries in the daily insolation. As for Uranus, having a similarly large obliquity, the equator receives less annual average energy than the poles.     

Torsional oscillations of the Sun

A series of digitized synoptic observations of solar magnetic and velocity fields has been carried out at the Mount Wilson Observatory since 1967. In recent studies (Howard and LaBonte, 1980; LaBonte and Howard, 1981), the existence of slow, large-scale torsional (toroidal) oscillations of the Sun has been demonstrated. Two modes have been identified. The first is a travelling wave, symmetric about the equator, with wave number 2 per hemisphere. The pattern-alternately slower and faster than the average rotation-starts at the poles and drifts to the equator in an interval of 22 years. At any one latitude on the Sun, the period of the oscillation is 11 years, and the amplitude is 3 m s^-1. The magnetic flux emergence that is seen as the solar cycle occurs on average at the latitude of one shear zone of this oscillation. The amplitude of the shear is quite constant from the polar latitudes to the equator. The other mode of torsional oscillation, superposed on the first mode, is a wave number 1 per hemisphere pattern consisting of faster than average rotation at high latitudes around solar maximum and faster than average rotation at low latitudes near solar minimum. The amplitude of the effect is about 5 m s^-1. For the first mode, the close relationship in latitude between the activity-related magnetic flux eruption and the torsional shear zone suggests strongly that there is a close connection between these motions and the cycle mechanism. It has been suggested (Yoshimura, 1981; Schüssler, 1981) that the effect is caused by a subsurface Lorentz force wave resulting from the dynamo action of magnetic flux ropes. But, this seems unlikely because of the high latitudes at which the shear wave is seen to originate and the constancy of the magnitude of the shear throughout the life time of the wave.     

Some aspects of the solar radiation incident at the top of the atmospheres of Mercury and Venus

A formalism has been developed for the calculation of the insolation on the planets Mercury and Venus neglecting any atmospheric absorption. For Mercury, the instantaneous insolation curves are repeated in a 2-tropical year cycle, the distribution of the solar radiation being perfectly symmetric between both hemispheres. In addition to latitudinal variations, one observes a longitudinal effect expressed by different instantaneous insolation distributions during the course of the time; on the equator, the relative diurnal insolation variability may attain a factor of 3. The small obliquity of Venus results in a nearly symmetric solar radiation distributions with respect to the equator except at the poles, where an important seasonal effect has been found. It has to be noted that no longitudinal dependence exists. Finally, the insolation curves are repeated in a nearly half-year cycle.     

Surface temperature of a rotating charged body

The surface temperature of a rotating, charged body is found separately under the Kerr-Newman metric and the vector graviton metric. Particular reference is made to pulsars. It is found that, 1) under the Kerr-Newman metric, the surface temperature rises from the poles to the equator, when the radius R of the body is greater than a certain critical value, r_n. When R= r_n, the surface temperature is uniform. When R < r_n, the above gradient is reversed. For pulsars, the equatorial temperature is some 3 × 10⁴ K higher than the polar temperature. 2) Under the Vector graviton field metric, a similar temperature differential exists, but it is much smaller in size.     

Does the Poleward Migration Rate of the Magnetic Fields Depend on the Strength of the Solar Cycle?

We present the pattern of the polar magnetic reversal for cycle 23 derived from H synoptic charts and have also included the reversals of the earlier cycles 18–22 for comparison. At the beginning of a new cycle (i.e., soon after the polar reversal) the zonal boundaries of unipolar magnetic regions of opposite polarities (seen as filament bands on the synoptic charts) appear close to and on either side of the equator continuing through the years of minimum indicating the onset of the cancellation of flux at these low latitudes. The cycle thus starts with cancellation of flux close to the equator and ends with the polar reversal or flux cancellation near the poles. The filament bands just below the polemost ones migrate and reach latitudes 35°–45° by the time of polar reversal and become the polemost, once the polar reversal has taken place. During the years of minimum that follow, these filament bands remain more or less stagnant at the latitudes 35°–45° except for occasional slow migration towards the equator. The migration to the poles starts at a low speed of 3 m s^–1 only when the spot activity has risen to a significant level and then it accelerates to 30 m s^–1 at the peak of the activity. It takes 3–4 years for the polemost bands to reach the poles moving at these high speeds. We quantify this possible cause and effect phenomenon by introducing the concept of the `strength of the solar cycle' and represent this by either of a set of three parameters. We show that the velocity of poleward migration is a linear function of the `strength of the solar cycle'.     

The quiet and slowly varying components of 9.1 cm radio emission during the solar minimum

Radio emission from the sun at a wavelength of 9.1 cm has been studied during the quiet sun years, 1964–65, using the Stanford spectroheliograph. A map of the quiet sun has been prepared and compared with a map produced using the same instrument in 1960. On the basis of ray tracing results the differences in the two maps can be explained by a decrease in the electron density by a factor of 1.4 at the equator and 1.1 at the poles.The slowly varying component of emission can be attributed to electron density enhancements by a factor of 2 to 5 over regions with dimension 2 to 6 arc. Changes of flux and width of these regions with longitude on the sun agree with the results of ray tracing using a very simple model for the regions. The detection of sunspot groups on the far side of the sun by measuring increased 9.1 cm emission at the limbs is shown to be possible.