The excitation of the forbidden coronal lines

The excitation of the 2s²2p² ground configuration of Caxv is calculated for coronal densities and temperatures. The calculations include electron and proton excitation of the forbidden transitions and electron excitation via the first excited (2s2p³) configuration. It is shown that measurements of the line intensity ratio I( 5694)/I( 5446) are in good agreement with the predictions. The line to continuum observations for limb flares and coronal condensations are discussed. It is suggested that the calcium abundance in condensations is enhanced owing to diffusion processes.Present address: Department of Astronomy, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, U.S.A.     

On the abundance of calcium in the solar corona

Measured values for the total intensity of the continuum and the ratio of integrated intensities I( 5694)/I/(5446) are used to estimate the fraction of electrons along the line of sight contributing to the excitation of Caxv. This estimate of electron density along with an estimate of the dimension of the emitting region are used to find a value of the abundance of Ca in the solar corona. The estimated abundance is logN _Ca/N _H = -4.35.     

Fine structure in the inner corona observed at the 1970 eclipse

On the slit spectrogram obtained at the 1970 eclipse in Mexico, the intensities of four coronal lines (Nixiii 5116, Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374, and Nixv 6702) and the continuum were measured as a function of distance along the slit. It is found that there exist a lot of fine fluctuations both in the lines and in the continuum intensities superposed on a large scale formation. The correspondence of such fluctuations between the continuum and the lines is good, with the exception of the line 6374 which shows a peculiar fluctuation. It is shown that the intensities of the three lines 5116, 5303, and 6702 seem to be proportional to the square of the continuum intensity while the 6374 line intensity may be proportional to the fourth power or more.     

Ionized helium in prominences and in the chromosphere

Quiescent prominences It is found that Heii 4686 is emitted in the same cold region of 10000 K as hydrogen, metal and neutral helium emission lines. This conclusion is based on the finding that the observed width of 4686 is the same as the calculated width of 4686. The calculated width is derived from the observed widths of hydrogen and metallic lines. The large intensity of Heii 4686 in 10000 K can be explained by the ionization of Heii due to the UV radiation below 228 Å that comes from the corona and the transition region.Loop prominences The very broad width (30 to 50 km s^–1) of 4686 for two post-flare loop prominences shows that the Heii line is emitted in hot regions different from regions of hydrogen and metal emission. From the widths of the Balmer lines and many metallic lines the kinetic temperature for one loop is found to be 16000 K in one part and 7600 K in another part. The electron densities are 10^12.0 cm^–3 and less than 10^11.0 cm^–3 respectively.Chromosphere The intensity of 4686 in the chromosphere can be interpreted in terms of a temperature of 10000 K with the ionization due to UV radiation. But, since observations of the width of 4686 are not available, a definitive conclusion for the chromosphere cannot be reached.     

The innermost corona observed at the 1973 June 30 eclipse

Slitless flash spectrograms in heights below 8000 km above the solar limb were obtained by the University of Kyoto Expedition at Atar, Mauritania. The integrated intensities of Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374, Fexi 7892, and the continuum are measured as a function of height above the solar limb at eleven points (P.A. = 284–300°) around the third contact point. It is found that a significant amount of the emission in Fex 6374 originates in chromospheric levels well below 8000 km. This implies that the interspicular region of the chromosphere is occupied by coronal material. The average values of the electron temperature and the electron density in the interspicular region are derived from the Fex 6374 and the Fexi 7892 intensities on the assumption of spherical symmetry: T _e = 0.9–1.1 × 10⁶ K and N _e = 9–10 × 10⁸ cm^–3. The intensity variations of the coronal lines and the continuum with position angle are also studied. Strong correlations between Fexiv 5303 and the continuum and between Fex 6374 and Fexi 7892 are found. From the Fex 6374 intensities it is inferred that there is a density fluctuation in the innermost corona by at least a factor of two.Contributions from the Kwasan and Hida Observatories, University of Kyoto, No. 271.     

EUV arcades: Signatures of filament instability

We have examined seven active regions of the Skylab period in the EUV (Harvard College Observatory), and in H and K₃ (Observatoire de Meudon, spectroheliograms and patrols) in order to elucidate the magnetic geometry in the coronal environment of filaments. We have also looked for signatures of magnetic reconfigurations associated with instabilities (i.e. velocities or disappearances) of filaments. Out of sixteen H filaments observed, six were stable (lifetime 48^h). All the filaments lay within coronal cavities as seen in lines formed above 1.5 × 10⁶ K (Mgx 625, Sixii 521, Fexvi 417, Fexv 361). None of the stable filaments had arcades or arches spanning the cavities except (sometimes) at the ends of the filaments. On the other hand, most (8/10) of the unstable filaments (having concurrent Doppler shifts or a subsequent DB within 24^h) had arcades or single arches spanning their cavities. The arches were observed in EUV lines with formation temperatures as low as 2–4 × 10⁵ K (Oiv 554, Ovi 1032, Ne vii 465), as well as in hotter lines. A statistical test shows that the arcade/instability vs non-arcade/stability association is significant at the 99% confidence level. We suggest 2 types of scenario relating arcades to instabilities. The more preferable scenario is closely related to the Kuperus/Van Tend model of filament disruptions.     

Coronal hole boundary brightness in λ 284 of Fe XV

An attempt is made to specify coronal hole boundaries in the brightness of 284 of Fe xv. This is done by evaluating brightnesses of 284 at boundaries selected by various groups. These results are in quite good agreement and suggest a brightness value of (0.8±0.4)×10¹² photons cm^–2 s^–1 sr^–1 for coronal hole boundaries in 284. The examination of a number of isophote maps near this boundary brightness shows no consistent brightness gradient.     

The coronal disturbance (W 90 °, N 25 °) in the eclipse spectra of July 31, 1981

The physical properties in the coronal disturbance (CD) (W90, N25°) associated with an active prominence are investigated on the basis of the intensities and profiles of 5694 Å Caxv and 6702 Å Nixv lines and continuum measured in the eclipse coronal spectra of 31 July, 1981. The spectrograms have been taken with a dispersion of between 7 to 10 Å mm^-1 and a solar image of 15 mm in diameter. The following characteristics of the CD have been deduced. The CD occurred cospatially with an active prominence and consisted of two discrete regions with different temperatures penetrating each other. (1) Caxv region: T _e= 3.8 × 10⁶ K, the length along the slit of the spectrograph Z 65000 km, the effective line-of-sight length L 20000 km, the average electron density , nonthermal velocities V _t= (20–32) km s^-1. (2)Nixv-Caxiii region: T _e= 2.3 × 10⁶ K, Z 37000 km, L 35000 km, n _e 1 × 10⁹ cm^-3, V _t= (23–30) km s^-1. A macroscopic mass motion has been discovered within the Nixv region of the CD from the Doppler shifts of the 6702 Å Nixv line: V _r= + 27 km s^-1 on the lower and V _r= - 12 km s^-1 on the upper border of the CD. The average height of the CD was H 0.08 R . The radial velocities in the prominence found from the emission line tilts are + 12 and - 8 km s^-1 on its lower and upper borders. A similar picture of the mass motion in the CD and the prominence speaks in favour of an intimate relation between them.     

On the coronal lines in the chromosphere at the 1970 eclipse

Spectrographic observations of the flash spectrum were made by the Kwasan Observatory at the total solar eclipse on 7 March, 1970. The integrated intensities of Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374, and the continuum were measured on the spectrograms as a function of height above the Sun's limb. It was found that a large amount of emission in the coronal lines originates in the interspicular regions of the chromosphere. Analysis of the data yielded that the interspicular regions consist of coronal material of T _e = 1.6 × 10⁶–1.2 × 10⁶ and log N _e = 8.5–9.5, and that a decrease in T _e and an increase in N _e occur with decreasing height.     

The center-to-limb behavior of Ca i λ6573 and [Ca ii] λ7324

Center-to-limb measurements of the Ca i 6573 intercombination line and the Ca ii 7324 forbidden line are compared with synthetic profiles based on a simple representation of the non-LTE Ca-Ca⁺ ionization equilibrium. The effects of photoionizations from low lying excited states of neutral calcium are found to reduce the sensitivity of the 6573 center-to-limb behavior as a thermal structure diagnostic. The synthetic center-to-limb behavior is also sensitive to uncertainties in the nonthermal broadening. Nevertheless, the measured center-to-limb behavior of 6573 favors a cool photospheric model similar to the Vernazza, Avrett, and Loeser model M over hotter models based on the Ca ii K wings. The non-LTE calcium abundance obtained from the disk center equivalent widths of 6573 and 7324 using the best fit model is A _Ca2.1±0.2 × 10^-6 (by number relative to hydrogen). Applications of these lines as diagnostics of the Ca-Ca⁺ ionization equilibrium in other stars are briefly discussed.Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

The observed limb effect in Fraunhofer lines,I

The absolute limb effect is presented for Fei lines 3767 and 3969; for five Tii lines of multiplet 42 near 4535 and one Tiii line at 4534; two lines of Mgi, 4571 and 5172; two lines of Baii at 5854 and 6497. The scattered light of the McMath solar telescope is illustrated by several figures but not applied to the limb-effect observations. It is suggested that the supergravity shift at the limb is the result of scattering of the atoms in anisotropic velocity field.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

The UV spectrum of the binary system SZ Psc

In this paper we study the far-UV as well as the UV spectrum of the spectroscopic binary system SZ Psc in the wavelength ranges 1235–1950 Å and 2710–3090 Å, respectively, from spectra obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). The UV spectrum of SZ Psc is mainly an emission spectrum. The short wavelength region includes emission lines formed from the low chromosphere to the transition region (e.g., Siiv,Civ, andNv) and also a deep and broad absorption line of Feii.The Mgii[1] resonance doublet at about 2800 Å presents a P Cygni profile and a multiple structure with two emission and two absorption satellite components. We also present the emission measure diagram in the temperature region 4.4T _e <53.     

Raies nébulaires et coronales dans le spectre infrarouge de la Nova Delphini

Nova Delphini 1967 has been observed in the red and photographic infrared at the Haute-Provence Observatory from September 7 to November 12, 1968. Dispersions range from 230 Å/mm to 4 Å/mm. The slope of the continuous spectrum in the region 1.3–1.7 ^–1 leads to a gradient of 3.06, which did not appear to vary during the observing period. This gradient is, however, very different from the value 1.71 measured on plates secured in August 1968. Lines ofHi, Hei, Heii, Feii,Oi,Cii and forbidden transitions due toOi,Oii, Fevii, Fex, Fexi,Siii,Aiii,Av,Axi and Nixv have been identified. Their intensities at various dates are given in Table II. Line profiles could be measured for a few lines taken on a 39 Å/mm spectrogram on October 3. Hei 6678 and 7065 are displayed on Figures 2 and 3. Figure 4 gives the [Oii] doublet at 7319–7330, while the H profile, obtained on October 4 can be seen on Figure 5. The line extends over more than 45 Å and narrow absorptions are seen at 6551.05; 6555.75; 6563.15; 6571.49; 6574.45. Due to the absence of published data on radial velocities of absorption lines in the visible spectrum at that time, it is not possible to give a clear identification for these features. Some of them may belong to H, while others are probably due to metals.     

Theoretical intensity ratios for some Fe XIII coronal lines

Theoretical values for the relative intensities of the Fe XIII lines 110747, 110798, and 3388 are presented as functions of electron density using recent values of the cross-section for collisionl excitation by protons. Our results are compared with those of Chevalier and Lambert.     

The Bragg Crystal Spectrometer for SOLAR-A

The Bragg Crystal Spectrometer (BCS) is one of the instruments which makes up the scientific payload of the SOLAR-A mission. The spectrometer employs four bent germanium crystals, views the whole Sun and observes the resonance line complexes of H-like Fexxvi and He-like Fexxv, Caxix, and Sxv in four narrow wavelength ranges with a resolving power (/) of between 3000 and 6000. The spectrometer has approaching ten times better sensitivity than that of previous instruments thus permitting a time resolution of better than 1 s to be achieved. The principal aim is the measurement of the properties of the 10 to 50 million K plasma created in solar flares with special emphasis on the heating and dynamics of the plasma during the impulsive phase. This paper summarizes the scientific objectives of the BCS and describes the design, characteristics, and performance of the spectrometers.After the launch the name of SOLAR-A has been changed to YOHKOH.Tragically Professor K. Tanaka died on January 2, 1990.     

Potential models of the unipolar sunspot magnetic field

The potential models of the unipolar sunspot magnetic field are calculated on the basis of magnetographic measurements of the magnetic field made in the three spectral lines of different intensities, H, Cai 6103 and Fei 4808. The computed distributions of the magnetic field vector are compared with actual distributions observed at these three levels. It is shown that the electric current density in the spot reaches values up to 10⁵ CGSE in the volume contained between formation depths of two pairs of lines, Fei 4808-Cai 6103 and Fei 4808 - H. Therefore, the magnetic field of the spot deviates strongly from a potential configuration. To the contrary, at higher levels, in the semi-infinite volume restricted at the bottom by the hydrogen H-line, the field appears to be quite close to a potential one.     

A spectroscopic study of moderately bright planetary nebulae

Spectroscopic results are presented for most of the nebulae observed in a programme involving some forty planetaries measured with an image tube scanner at Lick Observatory and with a photo-electric spectrum scanner at Mt. Wilson Observatory. The spectroscopic range normally covered, 3700 to 8700 is supplemented for a few objects with appropriate photographic data calibrated photoelectrically for the region 3120- 3800. Available published photoelectric data are also employed to improve the calibration of the finally adopted system of intensities.The main thrust of the programme is to investigate weaker lines, arising from less abundant ions, or due to less favorable excitation conditions. Information pertaining to additional ions gives further diagnostic data on the nebular plasma.For a given nebula, different diagnostics suggest different values of the electron temperature and density. These are believed to represent actual variations in physical conditions from point to point within the nebula, although in some instances, they may reflect inadequacies in atomic parameters, particularly collisional cross-sections. The spectroscopically most interesting nebulae show a wide variation in physical conditions, indicated by lines ranging in excitation from those of Mgi to [Fevii]. Relatively cool clouds of denser material appear to be immersed in a high excitation plasma excited by a hot central star.     

Coronagraphic observations of an enhanced coronal region

Ratios of emission line intensities are used to calculate the variation of temperature and the variation of electron density as a function of ion class for differing paths through a coronal enhancement. The data indicate (a) a peak mean electron density of 2.3 × 10⁹ cm^–3, (b) a temperature maximum greater than 2.3 × 10⁶ K, and (c) the non-coincidence of the peak temperature and peak mean electron density. The latter demonstrates the invalidity of the assumption of symmetric models for coronal enhancements.The abundance of Ni was found to be equal to 0.045 that of Fe from the line ratio I( 6702)/ /I( 7059) and a density model based on the variation of the ratio I( 8024)/I( 6702).     

The spectrum of RR Telescopii in 1968

The nova-like variable RR Telescopii observed at Cerro Tololo Observatory in 1968 displayed an unusually rich emission line spectrum ranging in excitation from Mgi to [Feviii]. A list of lines with their suggested identifications and approximate intensities covers the range from 3100 to 6700. Only a semi-quantitative discussion is possible since photographic measurements of line intensities could not be calibrated photoelectrically.The spectrum can be interpreted as coming from a highly, inhomogeneous stratified shell illuminated by an extremely hot source. Radiation of Mgi [Oi], [Nii], and [Sii] arises from dense pockets shielded from ionizing radiation. The [Oiii] and [Neiv] radiation appears to originate in strata with densities of the order of 5×10⁶ ions/cm³ and a temperature of the order of 18000 K. The abundance of iron appears to be comparable with that of neon. The helium/hydrogen ratio may be about 0.24.     

The He+ λ 4686 line in the low chromosphere

We report an unsuccessful search for the He⁺ 4686 line in the low chromosphere. However, at the location of this line we detect a number of other chromospheric emission lines. This leads us to the conclusion that the He⁺ 4686 identification made in the past, as well as other identifications, are probably in error. Additionally the region of the neutral helium 4713 line is also studied.On leave from Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, Mitaka, Japan.