Radio emission of fast cosmic ions

It is usually assumed that the ions of cosmic rays contribute nothing to the observable electromagnetic radiation. However, this is true only when these ions are moving in a vacuum or a quiet (nonturbulent) plasma. In the case of fast ions in a turbulent plasma, there is an effective nonlinear mechanism of radiation which is discussed in this paper. The fast ion (relativistic or nonrelativistic) moving in the plasma creates a polarization cloud around itself which also moves with the particles. The turbulent plasma waves may scatter on the moving electric field of this polarization cloud. In the process of this scattering an electromagnetic wave with frequency (2.7) is generated. Let ₁ and k₁ be the frequency and wave vector of turbulent plasma waves,V is the velocity of the ion, and is the angle between the wave vector of electromagnetic radiation and the direction of the ion velocity. The method of calculating the probability of the conversion of plasma waves (k₁) into electromagnetic waves (k) by scattering on an ion with velocityV is described in detal in Section 2 (Equation (2.14)).The spectral coefficients of spontaneous radiation in the case of scattering of plasma waves on polarization clouds created by fast nonrelativistic ions are given in (3.6) for an ion energy distribution function (3.4) and in (3.8) for more general evaluations. The Equations (3.9)–(3.13) describe the spectral coefficients of spontaneous emission for different modes of plasma turbulence (Langmuir (3.9), electron cyclotron in a weak (3.10) or strong (3.11) magnetic field and ion acoustic (3.12)–(3.13) waves). The coefficients of reabsorption or induced emission are given by Equations (3.14) and (3.16)–(3.19). There is a maser effect in the case of scattering of plasma waves on a stream of ions. The effective temperature of the spontaneous emission is given by Equation (3.15). The spectral coefficients of radiation due to scattering of plasma waves on relativistic ions are calculated in the same manner (Equations (4.14)–(4.15)). The total energy loss due to this radiation is given in Equations (4.23)–(4.25). The coefficients of induced emission are given in (4.26)–(4.28).The results are discussed in Section 5. It is shown that the loss of energy by nonlinear plasma radiation is much smaller than the ionization loss. However, the coefficients of synchrotron radiation of electrons and nonlinear radiation of ions under cosmic conditions may be comparable in the case of a weak magnetic field and fairly low frequencies (5.5)–(5.6). Usually the spectrum of nonlinear plasma radiation is steeper than in the case of synchroton radiation. Equation (5.10) gives the condition for nonlinear radiation to prevail over thermal radiation.Translated by D. F. Smith.     

GC星表的系统差研究

本文介绍GC星表相对于FKS星表的系统差及其计算方法,对星表系统差中存在的差异进行了分析研究．主要内容包括以下几个方面．（1）在FK5系统内建立一个新的暗星系统（RFK5ex）．（2）GC星表中的暗星相对于RFK5ex的系统差．（3）GC星表中的亮星相对于FK5bas的系统差．（4）GC星表中的暗星系统与亮星系统的差别,以及GC星表系统差改正中的一些有关问题．     

中俄等高仪国际合作第一期星表与国内其它等高仪星表的比较

PHAI已在俄罗斯伊尔库茨克进行了一年半的观测,获得了1146组观测资料．根据这些观和资料编算出第一期光电等高仪星表。为了说明这期星表的情况,本文特将它与国内几本光电等高仪星表进行比较。     

Fullerenes, fulleranes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Allende meteorite

In this paper, we confirm our earlier observations of fullerenes (C60 and C70) in the Allende meteorite (Becker et al., 1994a, 1995). Fullerene C60 was also detected in two separate C-rich (approximately 0.5-1.0%) dark inclusions (Heymann et al., 1987) that were hand picked from the Allende sample. The amounts of C60 detected were approximately 5 and approximately 10 ppb, respectively, which is considerably less than what was detected in the Allende 15/21 sample (approximately 100 ppb; Becker et al., 1994a, 1995). This suggests that fullerenes are heterogeneously distributed in the meteorite. In addition, we present evidence for fulleranes, (C60Hx), detected in separate samples by laser desorption (reflectron) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (LDMS). The LDMS spectra for the Allende extracts were remarkably similar to the spectra generated for the synthetic fullerane mixtures. Several fullerane products were synthesized using a Rh catalyst (Becker et al., 1993a) and separated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also observed ppm levels) that included benzofluoranthene and corannulene, a cup-shaped molecule that has been proposed as a precursor molecule to the formation of fullerenes in the gas phase (Pope et al., 1993).     

Compton broadening effect on spectral line formation

We have investigated the effects of Compton broadening due to electron scattering in an expanding stellar atmospheres. The line transfer equation is solved by including the second approximation of Edmonds (Astrophys. J. 119:58, 1954) which is due to Compton broadening and obtained the line profiles in (1) plane parallel (PP) (2) spherical (SS) atmospheres. The effect on spectral line formation is studied for different parameters like (a) optical depths (b) densities (c) frequencies (d) temperatures (e) thickness of the atmosphere and (f) expanding velocities. Various combination of the above parameters are used in computing the line profiles observed at infinity. Line profiles are compared for the above said parameters. It is noticed that the expansion of the gases in the atmosphere produces P-Cygni type profiles and at higher optical depths the line profiles change from emission to absorption with their line centers shifting to blue side in the expanding atmospheres.     

Measurements in N2-CH4(C2H2) discharges of reaction rates and thermochemical constants for Titan atmosphere study

The kinetic reactions in N2-xCH4(C2H2) gas discharges with x less than 1% have been studied by emission spectroscopy in the afterglow of D.C. discharges and by mass spectroscopy from radiolysis ionization using alpha particles. The pressure range is from several Torr to 100 Torr. At the end of N2 D.C. discharges at room temperature, for a residence time of about 10(-2) s, the dominant active species are the N atoms with density of 10(14)-10(15) cm-3 for N2 density of about 10(17) cm-3 (3 Torr), the N2(X,V) vibrational molecules with for example [N2(X,V = 10)] approximately 10(14) cm-3 and the electronic metastable molecules N2(A 3 sigma u +) with a density of 10(12) cm-3. In such conditions, the following kinetic reactions have been studied: N2(A) + N2(A) --> N2(C,B,V') + N2(X), N2(A) + N2(X,V>5) --> N2(X) + N2(B,V') in pure N2 post-discharges and N2(A) + CH4 --> products, C + N + M2 --> CN(B,V') + M2, N2(X,V>4) + CN --> N2(X) + CN(B,A,V'), in N2-1% CH4 post-discharges. The clustering reactions of N2-(1-5%)CH4(C2H2) gas mixtures after radiolysis ionization have been studied for the H2CN+ nN2 ions and the equilibrium constants have been determined in the temperature range T = 140-300 K.     

Observations of H2S toward OMC-1

Interstellar hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and its isotopic variant (H2(34)S) have been observed toward several positions in OMC-1 via their 1(10)-1(01) transitions near 168 GHz using the FCRAO 14 m telescope. We derive total column densities toward Orion(KL) for the extended ridge, for the plateau, and for the hot core, in addition to values for other positions in OMC-1. The fractional abundance of H2S (approximately 10(-9)) in the quiescent regions of OMC-1 seems to be difficult to explain by currently known ion-molecule reactions. The fractional abundance of H2S relative to H2 is enhanced by a factor of 1000 in the hot core and the plateau relative to the quiescent clouds. This enhancement may be a result of grain surface chemistry and/or of high-temperature gas-phase chemistry. From the nondetection of HDS in its 2(11)-2(12) transition, we estimate the abundance ratio [HDS]/H2S] < or = 0.02 in the hot core.     

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF THE STONE METEORITES YAMATO (a), (b), (c) and (d), AND NUMAKAÍ

The stone meteorites Yamato (a), (b), (c) and (d) were found in Antarctica in 1969, and the chondrite Numakai was seen to fall in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1925. The chemical compositions of these meteorites have been determined by classical and instrumental methods. With the help of the stepwise fractional dissolution method the chemical composition confirmed the author's previous classification of Yamato (a), (b), (c) and (d) as enstatite chondrite, Ca-poor achondrite, type III carbonaceous chondrite and H-group chondrite, respectively. Numakai is classified as an H-group olivine-bronzite chondrite. The distribution of the major elements in each phase of these chondrites is discussed.     

Characterization of iron meteorites by scanning electron microscopy,x-ray diffraction,magnetization measurements,and Mössbauer spectroscopy: Mundrabilla IAB-ung

A fragment of Mundrabilla IAB-ung iron meteorite was analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetization measurements, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The polished section of meteorite fragment characterization by optical microscopy and SEM shows the presence of the γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase lamellae, plessite structures and schreibersite inclusions in the α-Fe(Ni, Co) phase. EDS indicates variations in the Ni concentrations in the following ranges: (i) ∼6.3–6.5 atom% in the α-Fe(Ni, Co) phase and (ii) ∼22 to ∼45 atom% in the γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase lamellae including the range of ∼29–33 atom% of Ni leading to the paramagnetic state of the γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase. Schreibersite inclusions contain ∼23 atom% of P, ∼33 atom% of Fe, ∼43 atom% of Ni, and ∼0.7 atom% of Co. Plessite structure contains the average Ni concentration of ∼17 atom% while detailed EDS analysis shows: (i) the lowest Ni concentrations of ∼5 to ∼8 atom%, (ii) the intermediate Ni concentrations of ∼9 to ∼19 atom%, and (iii) the highest Ni concentration up ∼38 atom% (some individual micro-grains demonstrate up to ∼47 and ∼59 atom% of Ni) that may indicate the presence of the (i) α-Fe(Ni, Co), (ii) α₂-Fe(Ni, Co), and (iii) γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phases. These may be a result of the γ-phase decomposition with mechanism γ → α + α₂ + γ that indicates a slow cooling rate for Mundrabilla IAB-ung iron meteorite. The presence of ∼98.6 wt% of the α-Fe(Ni, Co) phase and ∼1.4 wt% of the γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase is found by XRD while schreibersite is not detected. Magnetization measurements show the saturation magnetization moment of Mundrabilla IAB-ung of 188(2) emu g⁻¹ indicating a low average Ni concentration in Fe-Ni-Co alloy. Mössbauer spectrum of the bulk Mundrabilla powder demonstrates five magnetic sextets related to the ferromagnetic α₂-Fe(Ni, Co), α-Fe(Ni, Co), and γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phases and one singlet associated with the paramagnetic γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase, however, there are no spectral components corresponding to schreibersite. Basing on relatively larger and smaller values of the magnetic hyperfine field, two magnetic sextets associated with γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase can be related to the disordered and more ordered γ-phases. The iron fractions in the detected phases can be roughly estimated as follows: (i) ∼17.6% in the α₂-Fe(Ni, Co) phase, (ii) ∼68.5% in the α-Fe(Ni, Co) phase, (iii) ∼11.5% in the disordered γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase, (iv) ∼2.0% in the more ordered γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase, and (v) ∼0.4% in the paramagnetic γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase.     

Characterization of iron meteorites by scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,magnetization measurements,and Mössbauer spectroscopy: Gibeon IVA

Gibeon IVA iron meteorite fragment was characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetization measurements, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Optical microscopy and SEM made on the polished section of the meteorite, show the presence of α-Fe(Ni, Co) and γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phases and plessite structures. There are no troilite inclusions observed in the studied section. EDS studies indicate some variations in the Ni concentrations: (i) within the α-Fe(Ni, Co) phase in the range ~5.0 ± 0.1 – ~7.5 ± 0.1 at% and (ii) within the γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase in the range ~26.0 ± 0.2 – ~36.1 ± 0.2 at%. The latter Ni concentration range indicates the presence of small amount of the paramagnetic γ-phase in addition to the ferromagnetic γ-phase. EDS also shows that Ni content in two plessite structures is varying in the range ~16–37 at%, which can indicate the presence of only the α₂-Fe(Ni, Co) and γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phases in the duplex plessite structure. This may be a result of the γ-phase decomposition with the incomplete martensitic transformation: γ → α₂ + γ due to a faster cooling rate. XRD indicates the presence of ~1.3 wt% of the γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phase in Gibeon VIA. The saturation magnetization moment of 185(2) emu g⁻¹ obtained also confirms the presence of phases with low and high Ni concentrations. The most appropriate fit of the Gibeon IVA Mössbauer spectrum demonstrates the presence of five magnetic sextets and one paramagnetic singlet which are assigned to the ferromagnetic α₂-Fe(Ni, Co), α-Fe(Ni, Co), γ-Fe(Ni, Co), and paramagnetic γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phases. The relative average Fe contents in these phases are: 13.4% in the α₂-Fe(Ni, Co) phase, 78.3% in the α-Fe(Ni, Co) phase, and 8.3% in the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic γ-Fe(Ni, Co) phases.     

Radiation chemistry in the Jovian stratosphere: laboratory simulations

Low-pressure continuous-flow laboratory simulations of plasma induced chemistry in H2/He/CH4/NH3 atmospheres show radiation yields of hydrocarbons and nitrogen-containing organic compounds that increase with decreasing pressure in the range 2-200 mbar. Major products of these experiments that have been observed in the Jovian atmosphere are acetylene (C2H2), ethylene (C2H4), ethane (C2H6), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), propane (C3H8), and propyne (C3H4). Major products that have not yet been observed on Jupiter include acetonitrile (CH3CN), methylamine (CH3NH2), propene (C3H6), butane (C4H10), and butene (C4H8). Various other saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, as well as other amines and nitriles, are present in these experiments as minor products. We place upper limits of 10(6)-10(9) molecules cm-2 sec-1 on production rates of the major species from auroral chemistry in the Jovian stratosphere, and calculate stratospheric mole fraction contributions. This work shows that auroral processes may account for 10-100% of the total abundances of most observed organic species in the polar regions. Our experiments are consistent with models of Jovian polar stratospheric aerosol haze formation from polymerization of acetylene by secondary ultraviolet processing.     

Ion probe measurements of carbon and nitrogen in iron meteorites

Abstract— Carbon and nitrogen distributions in iron meteorites, their concentrations in various phases, and their isotopic compositions in certain phases were measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Taenite (and its decomposition products) is the main carrier of C, except for IAB iron meteorites, where graphite and/or carbide (cohenite) may be the main carrier. Taenite is also the main carrier of N in most iron meteorites unless nitrides (carlsbergite CrN or roaldite (Fe, Ni)₄N) are present. Carbon and N distributions in taenite are well correlated unless carbides and/or nitrides are exsolved. There seem to be three types of C and N distributions within taenite. (1) These elements are enriched at the center of taenite (convex type). (2) They are enriched at the edge of taenite (concave type). (3) They are enriched near but some distance away from the edge of taenite (complex type). The first case (1) is explained as equilibrium distribution of C and N in Fe-Ni alloy with M-shape Ni concentration profile. The second case (2) seems to be best explained as diffusion controlled C and N distributions. In the third case (3), the interior of taenite has been transformed to the α phase (kamacite or martensite). Carbon and N were expelled from the α phase and enriched near the inner border of the remaining γ phase. Such differences in the C and N distributions in taenite may reflect different cooling rates of iron meteorites. Nitrogen concentrations in taenite are quite high approaching 1 wt% in some iron meteorites. Nitride (carlsbergite and roaldite) is present in meteorites with high N concentrations in taenite, which suggests that the nitride was formed due to supersaturation of the metallic phases with N. The same tendency is generally observed for C (i.e., high C concentrations in taenite correlate with the presence of carbide and/or graphite). Concentrations of C and N in kamacite are generally below detection limits. Isotopic compositions of C and N in taenite can be measured with a precision of several permil. Isotopic analysis in kamacite in most iron meteorites is not possible because of the low concentrations. The C isotopic compositions seem to be somewhat fractionated among various phases, reflecting closure of C transport at low temperatures. A remarkable isotopic anomaly was observed for the Mundrabilla (IIICD anomalous) meteorite. Nitrogen isotopic compositions of taenite measured by SIMS agree very well with those of the bulk samples measured by conventional mass spectrometry.     

MK morphological study of Am stars at 66 Å/mm

The pseudo-luminosity effect in the metallic line A-type stars found by Abt & Morgan (1976) is confirmed in a random sample of 27 Am stars. From a morphological study of their spectra in the wavelength interval 3850-4400 Å at a reciprocal dispersion of 66 Å/mm, revised spectral types are given on the MK system for their K-line and metallic-line spectra. This shows that: (a) our segregation of weak Am from the Am stars largely agrees with that by Cowleyet al. (1969); (b) all the stars in the sample are dwarfs according to their K-line classification; (c) more than 80 per cent exhibit the pseudo-luminosity effect significantly, with their metallic-line spectra resembling a giant or even a supergiant in the violet (3850-4100 Å), and a giant rather than a dwarf in the blue region (4260-4400 Å); (d) in two-thirds of the stars under (c), the Sr n 4077 Å line is found to have a markedly brighter luminosity class compared to any region, and in more than one-third of the sample it is comparable to that in Ap stars; (e) at least five stars exhibit characteristics which might suggest a spectrum variability: among these, the most striking example is 41 Sex A which was found to show a phase-modulated spectrum variation hitherto unknown in Am stars; (f) the metallic-line spectra of another five stars appear to be similar to A-shell type in differing degrees; (g) less than 20 per cent of the sample comprises stars which do not show any significant differential luminosity effect; these stars might have been misclassified or perhaps they are in a quiescent state. We also confirm the conclusion arrived at by Böhm-Vitense & Johnson (1978) that all Am stars may vary and our observations suggest that groups may exist among them.     

Plasma Physics in Astronomy and Cosmology

We discuss some of the major areas in astronomy and cosmology where plasma physics is important: (1) origin of stars; (2) distortions of the microwave background radiation; (3) expansion rate of the Early Universe; (4) the magnetic fields and relativistic electrons in jets; (5) the collimation of jets; (6) the origin of stellar winds; (7) the origin of filaments and clouds not gravitationally bound; and (8) the origin of cosmic rays.     

Mineralogical alteration of a type A CAI from Allende CV3 chondrite: Formation of secondary dmisteinbergite and its phase transition to anorthite

Dmisteinbergite, a hexagonal form of CaAl₂Si₂O₈, was found in a compact type A Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI) in the Allende CV3 chondrite. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations show that dmisteinbergite was always in contact with grossular and grossular was in contact with melilite. In addition, there is a crystallographic relationship between dmisteinbergite and anorthite. Based on the textural and crystallographic evidence, the following mineralogical alteration processes are proposed to have occurred in the CAI. (1) Melilite was replaced by grossular. High densities of vesicles in the grossular indicate that hydrogrossular might have been the primary alteration phase and dehydrated by later metamorphism. (2) Dmisteinbergite formed from (hydro)grossular through a reaction with Si-rich fluid. (3) Nano-sized minerals are formed within dmisteinbergite. (4) Dmisteinbergite was transformed to anorthite. (5) Both anorthite and dmisteinbergite were altered to nepheline. (6) Hydrogrossular was dehydrated to grossular. (Hydro)grossular, dmisteinbergite, anorthite, and nepheline in the CAI seem to have formed in the course of metasomatism that occurred in the Allende parent body. Except for the hydrogrossular dehydration, these reactions could have occurred at moderate temperature (200–250°C) in high pH fluids (pH 13–14) according to past experimental studies. Episodic changes in fluid composition seem to have occurred before reactions (2), (4), and (5), because these reactions were not completed before the next reaction started. Higher temperature is required for reactions (5) and (6) to occur. Our observation of the CAI suggests that it experienced multiple episodes of metasomatism as temperatures were rising in the Allende parent asteroid.     

Shock experiments with the H6 chondrite Kernouvé: Pressure calibration of microscopic shock effects

Abstract— Shock‐recovery experiments were carried out on samples of the H6 chondrite Kernouvé at shock pressures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, and 60 GPa and preheating temperatures of 293 K (low‐temperature experiments) and 920 K (high‐temperature experiments). Using a calculated equation of state of Kernouvé, pressure‐pulse durations of 0.3 to 1.2 μs were estimated. The shocked samples were investigated by optical microscopy to calibrate the various shock effects in olivine, orthopyroxene, oligoclase, and troilite. The following pressure calibration is proposed for silicates: (1) undulatory extinction of olivine <GPa; (2) weak mosaicism of olivine from 10–15 GPa to 20–25 GPa; (3) onset of strong mosaicism of olivine at 20–25 GPa; (4) transformation of oligoclase to diaplectic glass completed at 25–30 GPa (low‐temperature experiments) and at 20–25 GPa (high‐temperature experiments); (5) onset of weak mosaicism in orthopyroxene at 30–35 GPa (low‐temperature experiments) and at 25–30 GPa (high‐temperature experiments); and (6) recrystallization or melting of olivine starting at 45–60 GPa (low‐temperature experiments) and at 35–45 GPa (high‐temperature experiments), and completed above 45–60 GPa in the high‐temperature experiments. Troilite displays distinct differences between the samples shocked at low and high temperatures. In the low‐temperature experiments, the following effects can be observed in troilite: (1) undulatory extinction up to 25 GPa, (2) twinning up to 45 GPa, (3) partial recrystallization from 30 to 60 GPa, and (4) complete recrystallization >35 GPa; whereas in the high‐temperature experiments, troilite shows (1) complete recrystallization from 10 up to 45 GPa and (2) melting and crystallization above 45 GPa. Localized shock‐induced melting is observed in samples shocked to pressures >15 GPa in the high‐temperature experiments and >30 GPa for the low‐temperature experiments in the form of FeNi metal and troilite melt injections and intergrowths and as pockets and veins of whole‐rock melt. Obviously, the onset and abundance of shock‐induced localized melting strongly depends on the initial temperature of the sample.     

Comparison of Solar Magnetic Fields Measured at Different Observatories: Peculiar Strength Ratio Distributions Across the Disk

In this paper we analyze the distribution of magnetic strength ratios (MSR) across the solar disk using magnetograms in different spectral lines from the same observatory (Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) and Sayan Observatory (SO)), magnetograms in the same line from different observatories (MWO, SO, Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO)), and in different spectral lines from different observatories (the three observatories mentioned above, the National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak (KP) and Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on board Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO)). We find peculiarities in some combinations of data sets. Besides the expected MSR center-to-limb variations, there is an equator-to-pole asymmetry, especially in the near-limb areas. Therefore, it is generally necessary to use 2D matrices of correction coefficients to reduce one kind of observation into another one.     

Evolutionary unification in composite active galactic nuclei

In this paper, we present an evolutionary unification scenario, involving supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and starbursts (SBs) with outflow (OF), that seems capable of explaining most of the observational properties (of at least part) of active galactic nuclei (AGN).
The scenario includes a nuclear/circumnuclear SB closely associated with the AGN where the narrow-line region (NLR), broad-line region (BLR) and broad absorption line (BAL) region are produced in part by the OF process with shells and in compact supernova remnants (cSNRs).
The OF process in BAL quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) with extreme infrared (IR) and Fe  ii emission is studied. In addition, the Fe  ii problem regarding the BLR of AGN is analysed. The correlations between the BAL, IR emission, Fe  ii intensity and the intrinsic properties of the AGN are not clearly understood. We suggest here that the behaviour of the BAL, IR and Fe  ii emission in AGN can be understood within an evolutionary and composite model for AGN.
In our model, strong BAL systems and Fe  ii emission are present (and intense) in young IR objects. Parameters like the BALs, IR emission, Fe  ii /Hβ intensity ratio, Fe  ii equivalent width (EW), broad-line width, [O  iii ]λ5007-Å intensity and width, NLR size, X-ray spectral slope in radio quiet (RQ) AGN plus lobe separation, and lobe to core intensity ratio in radio loud (RL) AGN are proposed to be fundamentally time-dependent variables inside time-scales of the order of 10⁸ yr. Orientation/obscuration effects take the role of a second parameter providing the segregation between Seyfert 1/Seyfert 2 galaxies (Sy1/Sy2) and broad-/narrow-line radio galaxies (BLRG/NLRG).     

Planning and Scheduling of Payloads of AstroSat During Initial and Normal Phase Observations

On 28th September 2015, India launched its first astronomical space observatory AstroSat, successfully. AstroSat carried five astronomy payloads, namely, (i) Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI), (ii) Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC), (iii) Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT), (iv) Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) and (v) Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM) and therefore, has the capability to observe celestial objects in multi-wavelength. Four of the payloads are co-aligned along the positive roll axis of the spacecraft and the remaining one is placed along the positive yaw axis direction. All the payloads are sensitive to bright objects and specifically, require avoiding bright Sun within a safe zone of their bore axes in orbit. Further, there are other operational constraints both from spacecraft side and payloads side which are to be strictly enforced during operations. Even on-orbit spacecraft manoeuvres are constrained to about two of the axes in order to avoid bright Sun within this safe zone and a special constrained manoeuvre is exercised during manoeuvres. The planning and scheduling of the payloads during the Performance Verification (PV) phase was carried out in semi-autonomous/manual mode and a complete automation is exercised for normal phase/Guaranteed Time Observation (GuTO) operations. The process is found to be labour intensive and several operational software tools, encompassing spacecraft sub-systems, on-orbit, domain and environmental constraints, were built-in and interacted with the scheduling tool for appropriate decision-making and science scheduling. The procedural details of the complex scheduling of a multi-wavelength astronomy space observatory and their working in PV phase and in normal/GuTO phases are presented in this paper.     

Observations of some oxygen-containing and sulfur-containing organic molecules in cold dark clouds

Observations of nine oxygen- and sulfur-containing organic molecules have been made toward the cold dark clouds TMC-1 and L134N. We have confirmed the presence of para-ketene (H2C2O) in TMC-1, have for the first time observed ortho-ketene, and find a total ketene column density approximately 1 x 10(13) cm-2. Thioformaldehyde (H2CS) is easily detectable in both TMC-1 and L134N, with a column density about 5 times larger in the former source (approximately 3 x 10(13) cm-2). The fractional abundance of ketene is comparable to the predictions of ion-molecule chemistry, while that of thioformaldehyde in TMC-1 is one to two orders of magnitude greater than that expected from such models at steady state. Interstellar sulfur chemistry thus continues to be poorly understood. We set upper limits for the column densities of formic acid (HCOOH), vinyl alcohol (CH2CHOH), methyl formate (HCO2CH3), formamide (NH2CHO), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), isothiocyanic acid (HNCS), and thioketene (H2C2S) in both sources.