Searching for events in Chinese ancient records to explain the increase in ~(14)C from AD 774–775 and AD 993–994

According to analysis of the14 C content in two Japanese trees, that grew over a period of approximately 3000 years, with high time resolution, Miyake et al.found a rapid increase at AD 774–775 and another one at AD 993–994. These increases correspond to high-energy events that happened within those years and radiated γ-ray energy of about 7×1024erg toward the Earth. The origin of these events is a mystery. Such strong events should have an unusual optical counterpart, and have been recorded in historical literatures. We searched Chinese historical materials around AD 744–775 and AD 993–994, but no remarkable event was found except for a violent thunderstorm in AD 775. However, the possibility of a thunderstorm containing so much energy is unlikely. We conclude that the events, which caused the14 C increase, are still unclear. These events most probably had no optical counterpart, and a short gamma-ray burst, giant flare of a soft gamma-ray repeater or a terrestrial γ-ray flash could all be candidates.     

The role of proton injection processes in the nonlinear evolution of “pearls”

Given a constant number of resonant protons in a field tube the unstable wave amplitude reaches a steady value rapidly due to nonlinear effects. Observations show that the pearl amplitudes grow gradually for a long time. Consistency with observations is obtained by taking into account the processes of proton injection.     

Fluctuational mechanism of formation of proton vortices in the “npe” phase of a neutron star

The superfluid core (“npe” phase) of a neutron star, consisting of superfluid neutrons, superconducting protons, and normal electrons, is considered. The Gibbs thermodynamic potential of a superconducting proton vortex in a proton superconductor of the second kind, interacting with the normal core of a neutron vortex of radius r ≪ λ parallel to it (λ is the depth of penetration), is calculated. It is shown that under this assumption, the capture by the core of only one vortex turns out to be energetically favored. The force exerted on the proton vortex by the entrainment current, always directed toward the core, is found. The corresponding force for a proton antivortex is directed outward toward the outer boundary of the neutron vortex. It is shown that the fluctuational formation of a vortex-antivortex pair is possible at a large distance from the core under the action of the entrainment current. Under the action of the entrainment current, the antivortex travels outward, while the vortex remains inside the neutron vortex. It is shown that the formation of new proton vortices is possible only in the region in which the entrainment magnetic field strength is H(ρ) > H_cl (H_cl is the first critical field). Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 225–234, April–June, 1999     

Frequency distributions of solar gamma ray events related and not related with spes in 1980–1995

The advent of new and better instruments in space has resulted in a considerable increase in the number of solar gamma-ray events (GRE) detected. In this paper, we analyze available SMM/GRS and GRANAT/PHEBUS data on the hard X-ray and gamma-ray events, and their associations with solar proton events (SPE) at the Earth's orbit, for the observation period of 1980–1995. About 58% of the GREs under study were found to be SPE-related ones. Size (frequency) distributions have been obtained, for the first time, for the events with different types of emissions (bremsstrahlung, narrow GR lines, positron annihilation line, neutron capture line, SPEs, etc.). We discuss the possible relationships between size distributions implied by the parameter correlation. The distribution for GR events turns out to be generally harder than that for X-ray bursts. The GREs involving energetic particles in space are shown to have a harder frequency distribution in comparison with that for GREs without detectable SPEs. There is also a tendency for the GREs with highest fluences to be related with SPEs. Finally, no correlation seems to exist between the GRL fluence and maximum flux of >10 MeV protons near the Earth.     

Comparison of irregular variations in the Earth’s rotation rate and parameters of geophysical and atmospheric processes with events on the sun

A study of the Earth’s rotation in space reveals a complex pattern of variations in its orientation, the excitation mechanisms of these variations, and their manifestations in various natural processes. The Earth’s rotation rate is not constant but exhibits complex fluctuations that account for some fraction of 10⁸ (corresponding to variations of several milliseconds (ms) in the length of the day). These variations span a wide spectrum of time scales, from hours to centuries or longer, reflecting the fact that they are produced by a wide variety of geophysical and astronomical processes. We discuss the results of our statistical comparison of long series of observations to reveal the most coherent variations. The spectral composition of the experimental time series has been determined using modified periodogram and single-channel autoregression methods. A comparative analysis has been performed by a two-channel autoregression spectral estimation method. The results of our comparison of the time series suggest that the fluctuations with periods of about 73 years are highly coherent.     

Formation of “lightnings” in a neutron star magnetosphere and the nature of RRATs

The connection between the radio emission from “lightnings” produced by the absorption of high-energy photons from the cosmic gamma-ray background in a neutron star magnetosphere and radio bursts from rotating ratio transients (RRATs) is investigated. The lightning length reaches 1000 km; the lightning radius is 100 m and is comparable to the polar cap radius. If a closed magnetosphere is filled with a dense plasma, then lightnings are efficiently formed only in the region of open magnetic field lines. For the radio emission from a separate lightning to be observed, the polar cap of the neutron star must be directed toward the observer and, at the same time, the lightning must be formed. The maximum burst rate is related to the time of the plasma outflow from the polar cap region. The typical interval between two consecutive bursts is ∼100 s. The width of a single radio burst can be determined both by the width of the emission cone formed by the lightning emitting regions at some height above the neutron star surface and by a finite lightning lifetime. The width of the phase distribution for radio bursts from RRATs, along with the integrated pulse width, is determined by the width of the bundle of open magnetic field lines at the formation height of the radio emission. The results obtained are consistent with the currently available data and are indicative of a close connection between RRATs, intermittent pulsars, and extreme nullers.     

Variable cosmological “constant” and motion of a test particle in a cloud of dust

We find that Einstein’s like field equations with coordinate-dependent cosmological “constant” Λ(x ⁱ ) imply a non geodesic law of motion for test particles moving in a continuous distribution of incoherent matter (“dust”). The deviation from the geodesic law depends on the derivatives ?Λ/? x ⁱ and, in the weak field approximation, causes an anomalous acceleration A～(Vc ²/γ ρ)?Λ/? t+(c ⁴/γ ρ)?Λ/? r where V=dr/dt, c=the speed of light, γ=8π G with G=the gravitational coupling, ρ=the mass density of the cloud, r and t are the radial and time coordinate respectively. Reasonable assumptions on Λ=Λ(t) give A<10^?8 cm/s² when ρ>10^?29 g/cm³ i.e. in all known astrophysical systems. A possible connection with the anomalous Pioneer acceleration is shortly discussed in the case of a cosmological “constant” coupled to matter.     

Possible consequences of absence of “jupiters” in planetary systems

The formation of the gas giant planets Jupiter and Saturn probably required the growth of massive 15 Earth-mass cores on a time scale shorter than the 10⁷ time scale for removal of nebular gas. Relatively minor variations in nebular parameters could preclude the growth of full-size gas giants even in systems in which the terrestrial planet region is similar to our own. Systems containing failed Jupiters, resembling Uranus and Neptune in their failure to capture much nebular gas, would be expected to contain more densely populated cometary source regions. They will also eject a smaller number of comets into interstellar space. If systems of this kind were the norm, observation of hyperbolic comets would be unexpected. Monte Carlo calculations of the orbital evolution of region of such systems (the Kuiper belt) indicate that throughout Earth history the cometary impact flux in their terrestrial planet regions would be 1000 times greater than in our Solar System. It may be speculated that this could frustrate the evolution of organisms that observe and seek to understand their planetary system. For this reason our observation of these planets in our Solar System may tell us nothing about the probability of similar gas giants occurring in other planetary systems. This situation can be corrected by observation of an unbiased sample of planetary systems.Paper presented at the Conference onPlanetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

“Hare and Hounds” Tests of Helioseismic Holography

We use the output of numerical wave-propagation simulations as synthetic data for “hare and hounds” tests of helioseismic holography. In the simple non-magnetic models examined here, we show that when the inversion method includes a consistent treatment of the filtering applied during the data analysis the inversions for the subsurface sound speed are qualitatively correct.     

Polarization of the H<Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis> emission and proton isotropization in solar flares

Isotropization mechanisms for a beam of low-energy (10–100 keV) protons in the Hα formation region are considered. An increase in the magnetic field strength is shown to have no significant effect on the pitch-angle distribution of the accelerated particles in the solar chromosphere. The excitation of small-scale Alfvén waves by protons can lead to their effective scattering. The results obtained are used to interpret peculiarities of the impact polarization of the Hα emission.     

Search for Gamma Ray Bursts of energy Eγ ≥10 GeV and Eγ ≥ 100 TeV in correlation with BATSE events

We present the results of a search for Gamma Ray Bursts at energies E 10 GeV and E 100 TeV made by the EAS-TOP Air Shower Array in correlation with 50 events detected by BATSE in the last 3 years.This analysis gives an indication of the sensitivity of air shower arrays in the detection of GRBs at energies beyond the range seen by satellite experiments.     

Density distribution of solar wind protons and “loaded” ions in the shock layer ahead of a cometary ionosphere

We propose a simple method that allows the density fields of solar wind protons and heavy ions of cometary origin (“loaded” ions) in the solar wind-cometary ionosphere interaction region to be separated from the general density field calculated within the framework of a single-fluid model. The method is based on the assumption that the velocities of both components are identical. We analyze the density fields in the solar wind obtained in this way before and after the passage of the bow shock ahead of the cometary ionosphere and make a comparison with the distributions measured with various instruments onboard the Giotto spacecraft when it flew past Comet Halley and calculated on the basis of more complex multi-fluid models.     

Results of observation of Cyg γ-2, BL Lac, 3C66A, Mk 501, and the Crab nebula by the GT-48 gamma-ray telescope in 2006

The active galactic nuclei BL Lac, 3C66A, and Mk501, as well as the Crab nebula and the Cyg γ-2 source were observed in 2006 at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory using the GT-48 gamma-ray telescope. Very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray fluxes at a high confidence level (Q > 4) were detected from the active galactic nuclei and the Crab nebula. VHE gamma-ray fluxes from the unidentified gamma-ray source Cyg γ-2 and the X-ray source Cyg X-3 were recorded during observations of Cyg γ-2.     

Influence of the Gravitational Fields of the Moon and the Sun on Long-Period Variations in the Proper Rotation of “Midas” Satellites

We report the results of an analysis of the variation of the proper rotation of several destabilized satellites over many-year long time intervals. The cause of the cyclic variations of the proper rotation period of “Midas-7” satellite, which has been orbiting the Earth since 1963 at an altitude of 3700 km, have long been unclear. These variations could not be explained either by the influence of the terrestrial atmosphere and terrestrial magnetic field, or by solar activity. Based on the results of 40-year long observations of “Midas-4,” “Midas-6,”, and “Midas-7” satellites it was established that their proper rotation exhibits not only dissipative braking variations, but also long-period variations with the periods of 477 days (“Midas-4”), 466 days (“Midas-6”), and 346 days (“Midas-7”) with different amplitudes. These variations in the case of the above satellites have well-defined resonance nature. An explanation of the processes found is proposed based on the results of this study and simulations of the observed orbital dynamics of the satellites. Long-period variations of the proper spacecraft rotation arise as a result of the combined effect of the gravitational fields of the Earth, Moon, and Sun depending on the orientation of their orbital planes in space. The amplitudes of such variations is determined by the inclination of satellite orbits to the equator: the closer it is to the pole (i.e., to 90?), the stronger the effect.     

Possible presence of magnetic fields and iron content of atmospheres of “Metallic” Am-stars

Measurements with a CCD camera were made of two Fell lines at =6747.7 Å and 6149.2 Å in the spectra of 12 Am stars. The greater line strength of Fell 6147.7 Å relative to that of 6149.2 Å can be taken as evidence of a magnetic field in the atmosphere of the classical Am-star 15 Vul. Our observations support the conclusion of Mathys and Lanz [1] that a magnetic field is present in the atmosphere of yet another Am star, o Peg. For the rest of the stars studied the differences in the equivalent widths of the Fell lines can be explained by blending of the Fell line 6147.7 Å. Using the Fell line 6149.2 Å, which is free of blending, we estimate the iron content of the atmospheres of 12 Am stars with effective temperatures ranging from 7400 K to 9800 K. Our results indicate a star-to-star variation in log (Fe) of no less than 0.5 dex, a value greater than the measurement accuracy.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 187–195, April–June, 1994.     

The “FIP Effect” and the Origins of Solar Energetic Particles and of the Solar Wind

We find that the element abundances in solar energetic particles (SEPs) and in the slow solar wind (SSW), relative to those in the photosphere, show different patterns as a function of the first ionization potential (FIP) of the elements. Generally, the SEP and SSW abundances reflect abundance samples of the solar corona, where low-FIP elements, ionized in the chromosphere, are more efficiently conveyed upward to the corona than high-FIP elements that are initially neutral atoms. Abundances of the elements, especially C, P, and S, show a crossover from low to high FIP at \({\approx}\,10~\mbox{eV}\) in the SEPs but \({\approx}\,14~\mbox{eV}\) for the solar wind. Naively, this seems to suggest cooler plasma from sunspots beneath active regions. More likely, if the ponderomotive force of Alfvén waves preferentially conveys low-FIP ions into the corona, the source plasma that eventually will be shock-accelerated as SEPs originates in magnetic structures where Alfvén waves resonate with the loop length on closed magnetic field lines. This concentrates FIP fractionation near the top of the chromosphere. Meanwhile, the source of the SSW may lie near the base of diverging open-field lines surrounding, but outside of, active regions, where such resonance does not exist, allowing fractionation throughout the chromosphere. We also find that energetic particles accelerated from the solar wind itself by shock waves at corotating interaction regions, generally beyond 1 AU, confirm the FIP pattern of the solar wind.