On the excitation of free oscillations on the Moon

Since the Moon’s outer shells are very inhomogeneous, a global, spherically symmetric model of its interior structure is difficult to construct by using only seismic body-wave data. We study the diagnostic capabilities of the free-oscillation method. The sources of the largest moonquakes are located in the outer 200-km thick layer. Their seismic moments reach 10²² dyn. cm. Current seismometers are capable of detecting ground accelerations of ～10^?8 cm s^?2. Taking M ₀≈10²² dyn. cm, we show that torsional modes _n T _l with l≥7 and n=0 (l is the degree of oscillation, and n is the overtone number) can be detected. These modes contain information about the outer layers to a depth of ≈500 km and can allow a global model to be constructed for the outer, most inhomogeneous layers of the satellite. The largest moonquakes excite spheroidal modes _n S _l much worse, and it is unlikely that they can be detected with current instruments. We provide detailed information on the excitation of free oscillations for various moonquake focal mechanisms and focal depths.     

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.     

On the influence of nonlinearities on the eigenfrequencies of five-minute oscillations of the Sun

Fitting the results of linear normal-mode analysis of the solar five-minute oscillations to the observed k - ω diagram selects a class of models of the Sun's envelope. It is a property of all the models in this class that their convection zones are too deep to permit substantial transmission of internal g modes of degree 20 or more. This is in apparent conflict with Hill and Caudell's (1979) claim to have detected such modes in the photosphere. A proposal to resolve the conflict was made by Rosenwald and Hill (1980). They pointed out that despite the impressive agreement between linearized theory and observation, nonlinear phenomena in the solar atmosphere might influence the eigenfrequencies considerably. In particular, they suggested that a correct nonlinear analysis could predict a shallow convection zone. This paper is an enquiry into whether their hypothesis is plausible. We construct k - ω diagrams assuming that the modes suffer local nonlinear distortions in the atmosphere that are insensitive to the amplitude of oscillation over the range of amplitudes that are observed. The effect of the nonlinearities on the eigenfrequencies is parameterized in a simple way. Taking a class of simple analytical models of the Sun's envelope, we compute the linear eigenfrequencies of one model and show that no other model can be found whose nonlinear eigenfrequencies agree with them. We show also that the nonlinear eigenfrequencies of a particular solar model with a shallow convective zone, computed with more realistic physics, cannot be made to agree with observation. We conclude, therefore, that the hypothesis of Rosenwald and Hill is unlikely to be correct.     

Mixing-length theory and the excitation of solar acoustic oscillations

The stability of radial solar acoustic oscillations is studied using a time-dependent formulation of mixing-length theory. Though the radiation field is treated somewhat simplistically with the Eddington approximation, and we appreciate that any coupling of the pulsation to the radiation field is important, for the lower frequency radial modes that have been computed this should not produce too serious an error. Instead, we have concentrated upon treating the coupling with convection as accurately as is currently possible with generalized mixing-length theory in order to learn something about its pertinence. Our principal conclusion is that, according to this theory, solar radial acoustic oscillations are expected to be stable and generated by turbulence. Moreover, the theory predicts changes in mode frequency that may, in part, explain the discrepancy between solar observations and the adiabatic pulsation frequencies of theoretical models. We also compute the amplitudes of the modes using a theory of stochastic excitation. These are in good agreement with observed power spectra.     

On the thermal instability in numerical models of the interstellar medium

We investigate with 3D hydrodynamical simulations the role played by thermal processes in the dynamical evolution of the interstellarmedium (ISM). A parametric approach of the coolingprocess shows that the observed mass fraction of the cold (< 300 K)and unstable gas (300K < T < 6000K) can not be produced by turbulentcompression or background heating of the medium alone. An analysis of theproperties of the clouds that are formed by the combined effect of the thermal and gravitational instability shows that the cloud’s scaling relations imprinted by the thermal instability (TI) are in good agreementwith observational values.     

Short-periodic oscillations of the magnetic field of the Sun as a star

lCorrelation analysis applied to recordings of the magnetic field and velocity of the Sun as a star reveals oscillations close to 300 s. The power spectrum of these oscillations is discussed.     

Planning magneto-optical filters for the study of magnetic oscillations of the Sun

VAMOS is a Magneto-Optical Filter (MOF) that can acquire nearly simultaneous Dopplergrams and magnetograms with high cadence in the K I 7699 Å line. We performed an accurate set-up of this instrument in view of its use for studying oscillations in solar magnetic regions. The optimal set-up for VAMOS was achieved and an extra result of the spectral transmission measurements was found. The MOF and Wing Selector (WS) bandpasses depend not only on the cell temperature and magnetic field but also on the radiation intensity entering the cell, when this radiation exceeds a suitable level. We call this effect The Intensity Effect.     

Interaction of acoustic oscillations with an active region on the Sun

Based on MDI data, we constructed acoustic maps of the high-degree solar oscillations as they interacted with the active region NOAA 7978 using the acoustic imaging technique. We analyze the reconstructed power maps for the incoming and outgoing oscillations, as well as the phase-shift maps and the envelope-shift maps of wave packets in the frequency range 3.0–5.0 mHz. We perform a cross-correlation analysis of the time series for the acoustic oscillations before and after their interaction with the active region and analyze direct observational data. Our results point to a difference between the phase and envelope shifts. Thus, for example, the phase and group velocities of the oscillations increase as they pass through a sunspot, with the increase in group velocity being more significant. We found a phase-shift difference between the inward and outward propagating oscillations, ~0.4–0.5 min. This difference is interpreted as the effect of subsurface flow from the active region.     

An observational search for large-scale organization of five-minute oscillations on the Sun

The large-scale solar velocity field has been measured over an aperture of radius 0.8 R on 121 days between April and September, 1976. Measurements are made in the line Fei 5123.730 Å, employing a velocity subtraction technique similar to that of Severny et al. (1976). Comparisons of the amplitude and frequency of the five-minute resonant oscillation with the geomagnetic C9 index and magnetic sector boundaries show no evidence of any relationship between the oscillations and coronal holes or sector structure.     

Resonant excitation of the solarg-modes through coupling of 5-min oscillations

It is proposed that the interacting solarg-modes are driven by the beat forcing ofg-modes by two 5-min oscillations, excited by ak-mechanism. The observational implications of the proposed mechanism are discussed.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

The resonant excitation of transverse oscillations in coronal loops

We suggest a way of self-consistently solving the problem of the excitation and rapid damping of coronal loop oscillations observed from the TRACE (Transition Region and Coronal Explorer) satellite. Oscillations are excited on the dispersion branch of fast magnetoacoustic waves, which propagate mainly across the magnetic field. The rapid damping of the observed oscillations is governed by the dispersion spreading of the pulse of these waves that was produced, for example, by a solar flare. The fundamental oscillation period is close to the period of the fundamental mode. Dissipative processes attributable to the nonideality of the plasma and the coronal-loop footpoints play no fundamental role.     

Nonradial oscillations of models of the generalized Roche series

Nonradial oscillations of certain models of the generalized Roche series have been investigated numerically to further understand the nature of the eigen-values and the eigen-functions of the modes of nonradial oscillations of stellar models.     

160-min oscillations of the Sun as the mean of study of its internal structure

The investigation of the models of the contemporary Sun with a mixed core has shown that the amplitude of some gravity modes of oscillations of the star can be mainly concentrated in the central region. This phenomenon takes place if the node of the amplitude of radial displacement coincides with the boundary of the mixed core. In this case the core can be regarded as a driving generator of the oscillations, determining their period and phase. It is suggested as the explanation of the observational properties of the 160-min oscillation.

     

On the 22-year oscillations

Observational data of the solar diameter in Italy during 1876–1937 and in Greenwich during 1851–1937 were analyzed. The Whittaker operator with different smoothing coefficients was used. The average data sets for the analysis of the possible oscillations of the solar diameter during 1876–1937 were obtained. Average values of the solar radius R(t) and absolute values of its time derivative ¦dR(t)/dt¦ were compared with the Wolf number, W(t), and with the integral A(t) = ₀ ^t W(t)dt + constant. A good correlation r(R, W) = ¦dR(t)/dt¦, W(t) and r(R, A) = R(t), A(t) was found. It was shown that the frequency spectra of R(t) and A(t) are similar. It was found that during odd 11-yr cycles, the solar diameter decreases, whereas during even cycles it increases. A hysteresis-like behavior in the variation of R(t) during the 22-yr solar magnetic cycle was demonstrated.     

On the possibility of investigation of the magnetic field structure in subphotospheric layers of the Sun according to observations of sunspot torsional oscillations

A method of investigation of the magnetic field structure in subphotospheric layers of the Sun has been developed. The method is based on observations of the torisonal oscillations of single sunspots. Characteristics of the torsional oscillations have been obtained from observations of the longitudinal magnetic field and radial velocities of seven single sunspots in the photospheric line Fe I λ5253 Å. The parameters of the torsional oscillations and magnetic tubes in the deep layers have been determined. The radius of the cross section of a magnetic flux tube forming a sunspot is greatest near the Sun’s surface and is approximately equal to the radius of a sunspot umbra. Down to the deeper layers, it decreases quite quickly. The longitudinal electric current appearing in the magnetic tube changes direction. The typical time of the current changes is determined by the period of the torsional oscillations. The intensity of the longitudinal magnetic field in the tube increases with depth. The Alfven wave velocity averaged over the length of a magnetic tube is tens or hundreds of times less than this velocity in a sunspot umbra. It decreases with an increase in the period of oscillations. A decrease in the Alfven wave velocity leads to an increase in the twisting angle of magnetic field lines.     

On the problem of spicular oscillations

The possibility of the existence of spicular oscillations is discussed in this paper. Hα-spicules show quasiperiodic variations of radial velocities, half-widths and line intensities with a period of 5 min. A grouping of spicules at the solar limb according to positive and negative velocities is found; this is interpreted as the collective oscillation of groups of spicules. A theoretical analysis is given of the transformation of vertical five-minute oscillations into horizontal ones, in the presence of a magnetic field.     

160 m Pulsations in the magnetosphere of the Earth possibly caused by oscillations of the Sun

The measurements of the amplitudes envelope of Pc 3–4 geomagnetic micropulsations obtained at the Borok Geophysical Observatory were analysed by the cosinor method to search for magnetospheric pulsations with a period of about 160 m. 216 days of observations in 1974–1978 were used. It was found that Pc 3–4 amplitudes are modulated by the period 160.010 m with a stable phase. The maximum of the Pc 3–4 amplitudes follows approximately 20 m after the maximum of the solar expansion velocity (for the center of the disk) in the optical observations of Severny et al. This modulation of the Pc 3–4 amplitudes could be caused by the presence of an oscillating component in solar UV radiation over the wavelength range 100–900 Å. The amplitude of the UV flux variation may be as large as 2–4%.     

Solar-like and Mira-like oscillations of stars - A uniform excitation mechanism

Using a non-local and time-dependent theory of convection, we have cal- culated the linear non-adiabatic oscillations of the radial and low-degree F-p39 modes for evolutionary models from the main sequence to the asymptotic giant branch for stars with solar abundance （X = 0.70, Z = 0.02） in the mass range of 0.6-3.0 3//o. The results show that iow luminosity cool stars tend to be solar-like oscillators, whose low-order modes are stable, but intermediate and high order p-modes are pulsationally unstable; their unstable modes have a wide range in frequency and small values for amplitude growth rates. For stars with increasing luminosity and therefore lower tem- perature, the unstable modes shift towards lower orders, the corresponding range of frequency decreases, and the amplitude growth rate increases. High luminosity red gi- ant stars behave like typical Mira-like oscillators. The effects of the coupling between convection and oscillations on pulsational instability have been carefully analyzed in this work. Our research shows that convection does not simply act as a damping mechanism for oscillations, and the complex nature of the coupling between convec- tion and oscillations makes turbulent convection sometimes behave as damping, and sometimes as excitation. Such a picture can not only naturally account for the red edge of the instability strip, but also the solar-like oscillations in low luminosity red stars and Mira-like ones in high luminosity red giants.     

On the abundance of chlorine in the Sun

A low-noise photoelectric scan which includes the predicted position of the Cli transition 4s ⁴ P _5/2-4 _p ⁴ D ⁰ _7/2 provides inconclusive evidence for the presence of the line in the solar photospheric spectrum. An upper limit logN(Cl) 5.5 is derived. It is pointed out that the fundamental vibration rotation band of HC1 at 3.3 should be detectable in the sunspot spectrum unless logN(Cl) < 4.6. Sunspot spectra may also provide the isotopic abundance ratio N(Cl³⁵)/N(Cl³⁷).A new derivation of the chlorine abundance for the Orion nebula is presented: logN(Cl) 5.8. It is suggested that a cosmic abundance logN(Cl) = 5.5 to 5.8 be adopted.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.