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.     

DLA abundances in the CUBES’s spectral window

Absorption systems observed along the line of sights to distant quasars are observed at all redshifts and the full range of the electromagnetic spectrum is needed to recover the variety of transitions of different elements. However, some important elements are found within the Lyman forest and their absorption line profiles need to be analyzed against the presence of possible Ly-α contamination. Considering the cosmological evolution of the number density of hydrogen clouds, the probability to detect uncontaminated metal lines is higher in the UV-Optical region exploited by CUBES. The list of these elements includes some important ones such as D, H₂, O?i, N?i, O?vi, Ar?i, P?ii, C?ii, S?ii and B?ii. The determination of some of them in the Damped Ly-α galaxies and their astronomical interest are briefly discussed.     

Remarks concerning Ward's ‘the latitudinal motion of sunspots and solar meridional circulations’

Oscillator strengths are calculated for 259 lines of Ti i by taking configuration interaction into account in a somewhat simplified treatment. Radial integrals are obtained by an adaptation of the scaled Thomas-Fermi method. The great majority of selected lines originate from slightly perturbed terms. From a satisfactory comparison of our g \({\text{f}}\) -values with recent experimental data and with solar results in the visible region, we have been able to extend the work for some infrared lines. Very few transition probabilities were known for Ti i in that spectral range. On the basis of our oscillator strengths, a mean value logN _ti = 4.88 ± 0.12 (in the usual scale), is proposed for the solar photospheric abundance, in agreement with the meteoritic value.     

A comparison of theoretical Fe xii emission line strengths with EUV observations of a solar active region

New theoretical electron-density-sensitive Fe xii emission line ratios $$R_1 = I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 {}^4P_{5/2} )/I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 D_{5/2} )$$ and $$R_2 = I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 {}^2D_{5/2} )/I(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s3p^2 P_{3/2} )$$ are derived using R-matrix electron impact excitation rate calculations. We have identified the Fexii \(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s3p^4 {}^4P_{5/2} ,{\text{ }}3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{3/2} - 3s^3 3p^4 {}^2D_{5/2} ,{\text{ }}3s^2 3p^3 S_{3/2} - 3s^2 3p^3 P_{3/2} \) and \(3s^2 3p^3 {}^4S_{3/2} - 3s^2 3p^3 {}^2P_{1/2}\) transitions in an active region spectrum obtained with the Harvard S-055 spectrometer on board Skylab at wavelengths of 364.0, 382.8, 1241.7, and 1349.4 Å, respectively. Electron densities determined from the observed values of R ₁ (log N _e ? 11.0) and R ₂(log N _e ? 11.4) are significantly larger than the typical active region measurements, but are similar to those derived from some active region spectra observed with the Skylab 2082A instrument, which provides observational support for the atomic data adopted in the line ratio calculations, and also for the identification of the Fe xii transitions in the S-055 spectrum. However the observed value of R ₃ = I(1349.4 Å)/I(1241.7 Å) is approximately a factor of two larger than one would expect from theory which, considering that the 1349.4 Å line lies at the edge of the S-055 wavelength coverage, may reflect errors in the instrument efficiency curve. Another possibility is that the 1349.4 Å transition is blended, probably with Si ii 1350.1 Å.     

[OIII] Electron temperatures in planetary nebulae

Relative level populations for O III, derived using electron impact excitation rates calculated with the R-matrix code, are used to deduce the electron-temperature-sensitive emission-line ratioR=I(2s ²2p^{2 1}D–2s²2p21S)/I(2s² 2p23P_1,2–2s²2p^{2 1}D) =I(4363 Å)/I(4959 + 5007 Å) for a range ofTe = (7500–20000 K) applicable to planetary nebulae. Electron temperatures deduced from the observed values ofR in several planetary nebulae are in excellent agreement with those determined fromTe-sensitive line ratios in other species, including CIII]/C [II], [NII] and [ArIII], which provides support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the level population calculations.     

The coronal condensation observed at the 1973 eclipse

The flash spectrograms obtained at the June 30, 1973 eclipse contain the monochromatic images of a coronal condensation in three coronal lines of Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374 and Fexi 7892 and Hα line. The assumption of the axially-symmetric distribution of the emissivity in the coronal lines allows us to find the density and temperature structure of the coronal condensation. While the electron density in the central axis of the condensation is about ten times as high as that of the normal corona at each height, the temperature is not so high (T?2.3×10⁶K). This seems to be a representative nature of a coronal active region in the post maximum phase of activity. It is found that there exists a cool and dense core (T = 10⁶K, N _e =6 × 10⁹ cm^-3 at 17000 km) at the lower part of the coronal condensation, which is in a close geometrical coincidence with the small active prominence protruding from the underlying plage region.     

Theoretical emission line strengths for Ov compared to EUV solar observations

RecentR-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in Ov are used to derive the emission line intensity ratios (in energy units) $$\begin{gathered} R_1 = I(2s2p^{ 3} P - 2p^{2 3} P)/I(2s^{2 1} S_0 - 2s2p^{ 1} P_1 ) = I(761.1\mathop A\limits^ \circ )/I(629.7\mathop A\limits^ \circ ), \hfill \\ R_2 = I(2s^{2 1} S_0 - 2s2p^{ 3} P_1 )/I(2s^{2 1} S_0 - 2s2p^{ 1} P_1 ) = I(1218.4\mathop A\limits^ \circ )/I(629.7\mathop A\limits^ \circ ), \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ and $$R_3 = I(2s2p^{ 1} P_1 - 2p^{2 1} S_0 )/I(2s^{2 1} S_0 - 2s2p^{ 1} P_1 ) = I(774.5\mathop A\limits^ \circ )/I(629.7\mathop A\limits^ \circ )$$ as a function of electron temperature (T _e) and density (N _e). These results are presented as plots ofR ₁ vsR ₂, andR ₁ vsR ₃, which should allowboth N _e andT _e to be deduced for the Ov line emitting region of a plasma. Electron densities derived from the (R ₁,R ₂) and (R ₁,R ₃) diagrams in conjunction with observational data for several solar features obtained with the Harvard S-055 spectrometer on boardSkylab are found to be compatible, and in good agreement with values ofN _e estimated from line ratios in species formed at similar electron temperatures to Ov. In addition, values ofT _e determined from (R ₁,R ₂) and (R ₁,R ₃) are generally close to that expected theoretically. These results provide experimental support for the accuracy of the diagnostic calculations presented in this paper, and hence the atomic data used in their derivation.     

Optical spectral decomposition of NGC 4051

Considering the host galaxy contribution, a spectral decomposition method is used to reanalyzed the archive data of optical spectra for a narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy, NGC 4051. The light curves of the continuum f _λ (5100 Å), and Hβ, He ii, Fe ii emission lines are given. We find strong flux correlations between line emissions of Hβ, He ii, Fe ii and the continuum f _λ (5100 Å). These low-ionization lines (Hβ, Fe ii, He ii) have “inverse” intrinsic Baldwin effects. Using the methods of the cross-correlation function and the Monte Carlo simulation, we find the time delays, with respect to the continuum, are $3.45^{+12.0}_{-0.5}~\mbox{days}$ with the probability of 34 % for the intermediate component of Hβ, $6.45^{+13.0}_{-1.0}~\mbox{days}$ with the probability of 65 % for the intermediate component of He ii. From these intermediate components of Hβ and He ii, the calculated central black hole masses are $0.86^{+4.35}_{-0.33}\times 10^{6}$ and $0.82^{+3.12}_{-0.45}\times 10^{6}~M_{\odot }$ . We also find that the time delays for Fe ii are $9.7^{+3.0}_{-5.0}~\mbox{days}$ with the probability of 36 %, $8.45^{+1.0}_{-2.0}~\mbox{days}$ with the probability of 18 % for the total epochs and “subset 1” data, respectively. It seems that the Fe ii emission region is outside of the Hβ emission region.     

Variability of Fe ii in Two NLS1s, PG 1700+815 and NGC 4051

We analyze the spectral variability for two narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxies, PG 1700+518 and NGC 4051 using the spectral decomposition method. We focus on their optical Fe ii variability to investigate the origin of Fe ii in AGNs. For PG 1700+518, we find that the Fe ii size is about 200 light-days, which is consistent with the Hβ size derived from the empirical R–L relation. For NGC 4051, the [O iii] 5007 Å flux is strongly correlated with continuum flux, suggesting that we should recalibrate the spectral flux on a scale defined by [O iii] flux. The corrected light curves of Fe ii, Hβ, He ii, f _λ (5100 Å) are given here. A detailed analysis will be given in the near future.     

Lifetimes of some excited states in the rare earths: La ii,Ce ii,Pr ii,Nd ii,Sm ii,Yb i,Yb ii,and Lu ii

Radiative lifetimes for excited states in La ii, Ce ii, Pr ii, Nd ii, Sm ii, Yb i, Yb ii, and Lu ii have been determined by means of the beam-foil technique or the zero-field level-crossing method. The lifetimes for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Yb are shorter than those computed by summing the transition probabilities of Corliss and Bozman by a factor of up to ~5. The large discrepancies between the abundance of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm in the solar photosphere and in meteorites are eliminated or greatly reduced if the abundance determinations of the solar photosphere are based upon the gf values of Corliss and Bozman, corrected for by the present lifetimes.     

On the ratio of the total to selective absorption

The ratio of total to selective absorbtion,R, has been found to remain constant as dust is processed in clouds from low to high density, through Hii regions and open clusters, and returned to the interstellar medium.R has the same value in dense dust clouds as it has in Hii regions of different ages. Variations inR values obtained from stars in Hii regions may be due to errors in special type classification. Globular cluster diameters show no tendency to increase with distance from the Sun whenR=3.2 is used. Large grains evidently do not exist in the interstellar medium. There is no evidence for neutral extinction in the Galaxy at large.     

Computation of oscillator strengths by a semiempirical method for some elements of the iron group and their solar photospheric abundance

Absolute oscillator strengths are computed by the STF method for selected lines of Sci.The lifetimes deduced from these values are in satisfactory agreement with recent beam-foil measurements. From a study of 10 selected lines, a new value of the solar photospheric abundance is derived (logN _sc = 3.04) in agreement with the meteoritic value.     

Ca ii Transient Brightenings Associated with Canceling Magnetic Features

We analyzed transient Ca ii H brightening associated with small-scale canceling magnetic features (CMFs) in the quiet Sun near disk center using Ca ii H filter images and Na D₁ magnetograms of Hinode/SOT. We found that in most Ca ii brightening events related to CMFs the Ca ii H intensity peaks after the magnetic flux cancellation. Moreover, the brightening tends to appear as a pair of bright points of similar size and brightness overlying a magnetic bipole. Then a new opposite polarity fragment moves to them and cancels out. These results imply that magnetic reconnection takes place there and is responsible for CMFs.     

Reference grids of stellar models and oscillation frequencies

We present grids of stellar models and their associated oscillation frequencies that have been used by the CoRoT Seismology Working Group during the scientific preparation of the CoRoT mission. The stellar models have been calculated with the CESAM stellar internal structure and evolution code while the oscillation frequencies have been obtained from the CESAM models by means of the ADIPLS adiabatic oscillation programme. The grids cover a range of masses, chemical compositions and evolutionary stages corresponding to those of the CoRoT primary targets. The stellar models and oscillation frequencies are available on line through the Evolution and Seismic Tools Activity (ESTA) web site.     

A review of recent observations of dust in Hii regions

The upper limit for the absorption cross section σ _H ^ext , of dust in Hii regions in the wave-length range 912–504 Å derived by Mezgeret al. (1974), is compatible with that expected for large dust grains, and a gas-to-dust ratio equal to that in the general interstellar medium. The albedo of the small grains must be high for λ>504 Å. This restriction is lifted if the visual extinction cross section of the grains in Hii regions is less than that for grains in the general interstellar medium. New observations of the Orion Nebula indicate that the visual extinction cross section is within a factor 2 of the value in the general interstellar medium.     

The analysis of a high resolution X-ray spectrum of a solar active region

Absolute intensities and wavelengths for 98 X-ray emission lines between 9 and 22.5 Å are reported. The active region spectra were obtained with three rocket-borne crystal spectrometers. Identifications are proposed for 62 of the lines and a model of the emitting plasma is constructed from the intensities of the strongest lines. The emission measure (N _e ² V) of the model peaks at 3 × 10⁶ K with a value of 1.5 × 10⁴⁷ cm^?3 and decreases to 10⁴⁶ cm^?3 at 5 × 10⁶ K. Effective oscill and collision strengths are calculated for the other transitions that are observed. The relative intensities of O viii and Ne ix give an oxygen : neon abundance ratio of 8 ∶ 1. The intensities of the satellite lines to helium-like lines are investigated and it is shown that these lines can be used with confidence in constructing active region models.     

Spatial profiles of lines in active region loops

From the statistical treatment of magnetohydrodynamically turbulent plasma, a steady-state density, temperature and magnetic field structure is derived for a coronal loop emitting in UV and EUV range. Spatial variation of line flux is presented for the lines C ii, C iii, O iv, O vi, Ne vii, and Mgx. It is found that the hotter lines which are emitted near the surface of the loop have larger spatial extents compared to the lines originating in the cool core of the loop, in agreement with the observations.     

Coronal Diagnostics from Narrowband Images Around 30.4 nm

Images taken in the band centered at 30.4 nm are routinely used to map the radiance of the He?ii Ly?α line on the solar disk. That line is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, line in the EUV observed in the solar spectrum, and one of the few lines in that wavelength range providing information on the upper chromosphere or lower transition region. However, when observing the off-limb corona, the contribution from the nearby Si?xi 30.3 nm line can become significant. In this work we aim at estimating the relative contribution of those two lines in the solar corona around the minimum of solar activity. We combine measurements from CDS taken in August 2008 with temperature and density profiles from semiempirical models of the corona to compute the radiances of the two lines, and of other representative coronal lines (e.g. Mg?x 62.5 nm, Si?xii 52.1 nm). Considering both diagnosed quantities from line ratios (temperatures and densities) and line radiances in absolute units, we obtain a good overall match between observations and models. We find that the Si?xi line dominates the He?ii line from just above the limb up to ≈?2?R _⊙ in streamers, while its contribution to narrowband imaging in the 30.4 nm band is expected to become smaller, even negligible in the corona beyond ≈?2?–?3?R _⊙, the precise value being strongly dependent on the coronal temperature profile.     

On the mass-luminosity relation

The results of a least-squares study of the mass-luminosity relation for eclipsing and visual binary stars consisting of main sequence components are presented. Two methods are discussed. In Part A, the values of the coefficientsA andB in the relation logM=A+BM _Bol are determined. Part B presents a technique which permits the determination of α and β in the relationM=αL ^β, when only the sum of the masses, and not the individual masses of each component, is known. The results and a comparison of the two methods are discussed. It is found that the following massluminosity relation represents the observational data satisfactorily: $$log M = 0.504 - 0.103M_{BOL,} {\text{ }} - \leqslant M_{BOL} \leqslant + 10.5$$ . A discussion of the data and of the possibility that separate mass-luminosity relations may exist for visual and eclipsing binaries is given. The possiblity that more than one mass-luminosity relation is required in the range ?8≤M _Bol ≤+13 is also discussed.     

Properties of the ionised gas of circumnuclear star-forming regions in early-type spirals

A study of circumnuclear star-forming regions (CNSFRs) in several early-type spirals has been carried out in order to investigate their main properties: stellar and gas kinematics, dynamical masses, ionising stellar masses, chemical abundances and other properties of the ionised gas. Both high resolution (R～20,000) and moderate resolution (R～5000) have been used. In some cases, these regions (about 100–150 pc in size) are composed of several individual star clusters with sizes between 1.5 and 4.9 pc, estimated from Hubble Space Telescope images. Stellar and gas velocity dispersions are found to differ by about 20 to 30 km?s^?1, with the Hβ emission lines being narrower than both the stellar lines and the [Oiii]λ5007 Å lines. The twice ionised oxygen, on the other hand, shows velocity dispersions comparable to those of stars. We have applied the virial theorem to estimate dynamical masses of the clusters, assuming that the systems are gravitationally bounded and spherically symmetric, and using previously measured sizes. The measured values of the stellar velocity dispersions yield dynamical masses of the order of 10⁷ to 10⁸ M_⊙ for the full CNSFRs. We obtain oxygen abundances which are comparable to those found in high-metallicity disc Hii regions from direct measurements of electron temperatures and consistent with solar values within the errors. The region with the highest oxygen abundance is R3+R4 in NGC3504, 12+log(O/H)=8.85, about 1.5 times solar. The derived N/O ratios are, on average, larger than those found in high-metallicity disc Hii regions, and they do not seem to follow the trend of N/O vs. O/H which marks the secondary behaviour of nitrogen. On the other hand, the S/O ratios span a very narrow range—between 0.6 and 0.8 times solar. Compared to high-metallicity disc Hii regions, CNSFRs show values of the O₂₃ and the N2 parameters whose distributions are shifted to lower and higher values, respectively. Hence, even though their derived oxygen and sulphur abundances are similar, higher values would in principle be obtained for the CNSFRs if pure empirical methods were used to estimate abundances. CNSFRs also exhibit lower ionisation parameters than their disc counterparts, as derived from [Sii]/[Siii]. Their ionisation structure also seems to be different, with CNSFRs showing radiation-field properties more similar to Hii galaxies than to disc high-metallicity Hii regions.