Study of temporal and spectral characteristics of the X-ray emission from solar flares

Temporal and spectral characteristics of X-ray emission from 60 flares of intensity ≥C class observed by the Solar X-ray Spectrometer(SOXS) during 2003–2011 are presented. We analyze the X-ray emission observed in four and three energy bands by the Si and Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride(CZT)detectors, respectively. The number of peaks in the intensity profile of the flares varies between 1 and 3. We find moderate correlation(R ≈0.2) between the rise time and the peak flux of the first peak of the flare irrespective of energy band, which is indicative of its energy-independent nature. Moreover, the magnetic field complexity of the flaring region is found to be highly anti-correlated(R = 0.61) with the rise time of the flares while positively correlated(R = 0.28) with the peak flux of the flare. The time delay between the peak of the X-ray emission in a given energy band and that in 25–30 keV decreases with increasing energy, suggesting conduction cooling is dominant in the lower energies. Analysis of 340 spectra from 14 flares reveals that the peak of differential emission measure(DEM) evolution is delayed by 60–360 s relative to that of the temperature, and this time delay is inversely proportional to the peak flux of the flare. We conclude that temporal and intensity characteristics of flares are dependent on energy as well as the magnetic field configuration of the active region.     

The Feasibility of Constraining Dark Energy Using LAMOST Redshift Survey

We consider using future redshift surveys with the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) to constrain the equation of state of dark energy ω. We analyze the Alcock & Paczyriski (AP) effect imprinted on the two-point correlation function of galaxies in redshift space. The Fisher matrix analysis is applied to estimate the expected error bounds of ω0 and ωa from galaxy redshift surveys, ω0 and ωa being the two parameters in the equation of state parametrization ω(z) = ω0 + ωaz/(1 + z). Strong degeneracies between ω0 and ωa are found. The direction of the degeneracy in ω0 - ωa plane, however, rotates counter-clockwise as the redshift increases. LAMOST can potentially contribute in the redshift range up to 0.5. In combination with other high redshift surveys, such as the proposed Kilo-Aperture Optical Spectrograph project (KAOS), the joint constraint derived from galaxy surveys at different redshift ranges is likely to efficiently break the degeneracy of ω0 and ωa. We do not anticipate that the nature of dark energy can be well constrained with LAMOST alone, but it may help to reduce the error bounds expected from other observations, such as the Supernova/Acceleration Probe (SNAP).     

Stochastic Particle Acceleration in Blazar Jets

1 INTRoDUCTIONB1azars are rwho-loud AGNs characterized by emissions of strong and raPidiy wriablenOllthermal radiation over the elltire electromagntic spectrum. Syndritron ehasha followedby inverse ComPton scattering in a re1aivistic jet and beamd inio one directiOn is generallythought to be the IneCha8m powering these Objects (Kollgaard 1994; Urry & Paded 1995).All blazars have a sPectral energy distribution (SED) with tWO peak8 in a uFv rePesentation(von Montigny et al. 1995; S…     

Tri-Phonic Helioseismology: Comparison of Solar p Modes Observed by the Helioseismology Instruments Aboard SOHO

The three helioseismology instruments aboard SOHO observe solar p modes in velocity (GOLF and MDI) and in intensity (VIRGO and MDI). Time series of two months duration are compared and confirm that the instruments indeed observe the same Sun to a high degree of precision. Power spectra of 108 days are compared showing systematic differences between mode frequencies measured in intensity and in velocity. Data coverage exceeds 97% for all the instruments during this interval. The weighted mean differences (V-I) are −0.1 μHz for l=0, and −0.16 μHz for l=1. The source of this systematic difference may be due to an asymmetry effect that is stronger for modes seen in intensity. Wavelet analysis is also used to compare the shape of the forcing functions. In these data sets nearly all of the variations in mode amplitude are of solar origin. Some implications for structure inversions are discussed.     

Infrared variability of the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 in 1998–2004

Our 8-year-long JHKLM photometry of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 has confirmed its IR variability. The amplitudes of the brightness variations in the J (1.25 μm) and K (2.2 μm) bands are within 0 _. ^m 15 and 0 _. ^m 3, respectively, and exceed the observational errors by more than a factor of 5. The nucleus of NGC 1068 is a variable source and can be at different phases of activity. The brightness of the galaxy in all bands except J decreased from 1998 until 2004. In this period, there was a tendency for the J brightness to increase. The variable source in NGC 1068 is a complex structured object. At least two sources radiate in the wavelength range 1.25–5 μm: a hot source whose radiation shows up in the range 1.25–1.65 μm and a cold source radiating at long wavelengths (2.2–5 μm). The color temperature of the hot source increased from 2300 K (the beginning of our observations) to ∼2700 K (the end of our observations). In contrast, the temperature of the cold source decreased by several tens of degrees (in the temperature range 800–900 K). The IR brightness and color variations observed in 1998–2004 are attributable to the dispersal of the dust envelope that formed around the galactic nucleus some 30 years ago and reached its maximum density in 1994–1995. Our analysis of the spectral energy distributions for the galaxy has shown that the observed radiation in the range 1.25–5 μm can be represented as the sum of radiations from two blackbody sources. For the first period of our observations (JD 2451400), the temperatures of the hot and cold sources are ∼3100 and 760 K, respectively. For the second period (JD 2453230), they are ∼3200 and 720 K, respectively. The hot source is relatively compact; it is smaller in size than the cold source by several tens of times. The mean sizes of the hot and cold sources are ∼2.35 × 10¹⁶ and ∼7.8 × 10¹⁷ cm, respectively. The total mean luminosity of the two sources did not change between the beginning and the end of our observations. The optical depth of the dust envelope averaged over the spectrum of the hot source is τ ∼ 1.5. In 2004, the state of the dust envelope almost returned to its 1974 level, i.e., the dust envelope formation and dispersal cycle was ∼11 000 days (∼30 yr). Original Russian Text ? O.G. Taranova, V.I. Shenavrin, 2006, published in Pis’ma v Astronomicheskiĭ Zhurnal, 2006, Vol. 32, No. 7, pp. 489–496.     

Variability of Circumstellar Emission from Dust Envelopes Around Carbon Stars

The main constituents of the dust, produced around late-type carbon stars, are thought to be carbon and silicon carbide (SiC), although their exact nature is not yet well established. This subject has been addressed by several authors and good fits of a large number of IRAS sources (chosen among the carbon stars exhibiting the SiC feature at about 11.3 μm) were obtained. In this work we use the same procedure on a limited number of objects, of the same type, taking into account the variability of such sources and the changes induced in their IR spectra. For this purpose, the chosen stars have been observed with a spectral resolution higher than that available for the IRAS data (λ/Δλ ≅ 50), using the CGS3 instrument of the UKIRT telescope, both in the low (λ/Δλ ≅ 160) and in the high (λ/Δλ ≅ 500) resolution configuration. The results are discussed and some preliminary conclusions are drawn. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photometric and spectroscopic study of flares on Ross 15

We conducted photometric and spectroscopic observations of Ross 15 in order to further study the flare properties of this less observed flare star.A total of 28 B-band flares are detected in 128 hr of photometric observations,leading to a total flare rate of 0.22-0.040.04 h-1,more accurate than that provided by previous work.We give the energy range of the B-band flare(1029.5-1031.5 erg) and the flare frequency distribution(FFD) for the star.Within the same energy range,the FFD is lower than that of GJ 1243(M4)and YZ CMi(M4.5),roughly in the middle of those of three M5-type stars and higher than the average FFDs of spectral types> M6.We performed,for the first time for Ross 15,simultaneous high-cadence spectroscopic and photometric observations,resulting in detection of the most energetic flare in our sample.The intensity enhancements of the continuum and Balmer lines with significant correlations between them are detected during the flare,which is the same as those of other deeply studied flare stars with similar spectral type.     

On the possible wind nebula of magnetar Swift J1834.9-0846:a magnetism-powered synchrotron nebula

Recently,the magnetar Swift J1834.9—0846 has been reported to have a possible wind nebula.It is shown that both the magnetar and its wind nebula are understandable in the wind braking scenario.The magnetar's rotational energy loss rate is not enough to power the particle luminosity.The required particle luminosity should be about 10~(36) erg s~(-1) to 10~(38) ergs~(-1).It is obtained in three different approaches:considering wind braking of Swift J1834.9-0846;the spectral and spatial observations of the wind nebula;and an empirical upper bound on wind nebula X-ray luminosity.The nebula magnetic field is about 10~(-4)G.The possible wind nebula of Swift J1834.9-0846 should be a magnetar wind nebula.It is powered by the magnetic energy released from the magnetar.     

On the βSPEC Values of Galaxy Clusters During the Merger

Time-dependent, X-ray emission properties of merging subclusters of galaxies are studied by N-body + Hydrodynamic simulations. We consider rather idealized cases, in which two virialized subclusters with the same or different masses collide with each other, eventually merging into one bigger cluster. We find that the various observable quantities, such as the cluster temperature, T_g, the line-of-sight velocity dispersion of galaxies, σ₁, and the specific energy ratio, β_spec ≡ μ m_p σ /k_B T_g (where μ is the mean molecular weight in amu, m_p is the proton mass and k_B is the Boltzmann constant) are distinct in merging clusters from those in isolated clusters. When merging, especially, in addition to having large velocity dispersions, σ_l ≳ 2000 km s^-1, clusters will have large deviations of β_spec from unity; that is, β_spec ≳ 2.0 (or β_spec ≲ 0.5) when seen from the direction parallel (perpendicular) to the collision axis. Temperature profiles are the best indicator of merging process. The calculated temperature maps of merging clusters are compared with those of the observed clusters, such as the Coma cluster, A754, and A401/399 supercluster. These simulated features are in good agreement with what ASCA revealed. Further, we present rather unique features in the temperature profiles that can be caused by a merger (or an encounter) with a subgroup of galaxies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Time-dependent diffusive interactions between dark matter and dark energy in the context of k-essence cosmology

We investigated the scenario of time-dependent diffusive interaction between dark matter and dark energy and showed that such a model can be accommodated within the observations of luminosity distanceredshift data in Supernova la(SN la)observations.We obtain constraints on different relevant parameters of this model from the observational data.We consider a homogeneous scalar field(t)driven by a k-essence Lagrangian of the form L=V(φ)F(X)with constant potential V(φ)=V,to describe the dynamics of dark energy in this model.Using the temporal behaviour of the FRW scale factor,the equation of state and total energy density of the dark fluid,extracted from the analysis of SN la(JLA)data,we have obtained the time-dependence of the k-essence scalar field and also reconstructed the form of the function F(X)in the k-essence Lagrangian.     

Investigation of the polarization observed in infrared absorption bands in the spectra of protostars

We investigate the linear polarization in the two deepest infrared absorption bands observed in the spectra of protostars, the water-ice band with the center near 3.1 μm and the silicate band with the center near 9.7 μm, using a core-mantle confocal spheroid model with various axial ratios a/b and relative volumes of the core material. We consider the effect of the grain shape, structure, and type (oblate, prolate) as well as the type of grain orientation and its location relative to the incident ray of light and the magnetic field direction on the central wavelengths of the two bands and the polarizability in the bands. We have found that the observed relationships between the polarizability in the bands and the ratio of their optical depths at the band centers can be explained if we choose slightly oblate or prolate particles (a/b ≲2 for the silicate band and 1.3 ≲ a/b ≲ 2 for the ice band). For any type of orientation, the core-mantle confocal spheroid model requires different axial ratios for the ice and silicate bands to account for the observed polarization. We show that picket-fence-oriented particles can explain the observed polarization in the ice band at angles α between the particle rotation axis and the incident ray ≳30° and in the silicate band at any α. Perfectly Davis-Greenstein-oriented particles can explain the observed polarization in the ice band at angles Ω between the line of sight and the magnetic field direction ≳60° and in the silicate band at any Ω. The orientation parameter ζ (imperfect Davis-Greenstein orientation) must be no more than 0.5 (oblate particles) and 0.1 (prolate particles) for the ice band and can be arbitrary for the silicate band. Original Russian Text ? T.V. Zinov’eva, 2006, published in Pis’ma v Astronomicheskiĭ Zhurnal, 2006, Vol. 32, No. 10, pp. 748–766.     

Ellerman Bombs,Type Ⅱ White—light Flares and Magnetic Reconnection in the Solar Lower Atmosphere

Ellerman bombs and type Ⅱ white-light flares share many common features despite the large energy gap between them.Both are considered to result from local heation in the solar lower atmosphere.This paper presents numerical simulations of magnetic reconnection occurring in such a deep atmosphere,with the aim to account for the common features of the two phenomena.Our numerical results manifest the following two typical characteristics of the assumed reconnection process:(1)magnetic reconnection saturates in-600-900s,which is just the lifetime of the two phenomens;(2)ionization in the upper chromosphere consumes quite a large part of the energy released through reconnection,making the heation effect most significant in the lower chromosphere.The applicationof the reconnection model to the two phenomena is discussed in detail.     

Parametric Evolution of Power-law Energy Spectra of Energetic Electrons in the Coronal Loops

Fast electron beams(FEBs) are one of the main products of various active events and are ubiquitous in solar,space and cosmic plasmas.They reveal themselves in hard X-ray and radio emissions.The observed characteristics of X-ray and radio emissions sensitively depend on the energy distribution of FEBs,which usually have a power-law energy spectrum.As FEBs travel in the solar atmosphere,their energy distribution can considerably vary due to the interaction with ambient plasmas.Tang et al.investiga...     

Coherent structures and spectral shapes of kinetic Alfvén wave turbulence in solar wind at 1 AU

This paper presents the generation of kinetic Alfv én wave(KAW) coherent structures of magnetic filaments applicable to solar wind at 1 AU, when the background plasma density is modified by parallel ponderomotive force and Joule heating. The inhomogeneity in the magnetic field, which was included as a perturbation in the transverse direction of the magnetic field, takes energy from the main pump KAWs and generates the filamentary structures. When the intensity is high enough, the filaments are broken down and the energy initially confined to low wavenumbers is redistributed to higher wavenumbers, leading to cascades of energy at small scales less than the ion acoustic gyroradius or comparable to electron gyroradius.The magnetic field spectral profile is generated from the numerical simulation results, and its dependence on different directions of the wavevector and initial conditions of the simulation representing the transverse magnetic field inhomogeneity is studied. The relevance of these results with other spacecraft observations and measurements is also pointed out.     

Solar Impulsive Hard X-Ray Emission and Two-Stage Electron Acceleration

Heating and acceleration of electrons in solar impulsive hard X-ray (HXR) flares are studied according to the two-stage acceleration model developed by Zhang for solar 3He-rich events. It is shown that electrostatic H-cyclotron waves can be excited at a parallel phase velocity less than about the electron thermal velocity and thus can significantly heat the electrons (up to 40 MK) through Landau resonance. The preheated electrons with velocities above a threshold are further accelerated to high energies in the flare-acceleration process. The flare-produced electron spectrum is obtained and shown to be thermal at low energies and power law at high energies. In the non-thermal energy range, the spectrum can be double power law if the spectral power index is energy dependent or related. The electron energy spectrum obtained by this study agrees quantitatively with the result derived from the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) HXR observations in the flare of 2002 July 23. The total flux and energy flux of electrons accelerated in the solar flare also agree with the measurements.     

Gyldén Model: The Slowly Changing Equivalent Gravitational Parameter

In the Gyldén problem, the case of slowly changing equivalent gravitational parameter (e.g.p.) is studied. Assuming the following law for the variation of the e.g.p.: μ (t) = μ₀+ εμ (εt), ε< μ₀, we obtained a) a O(ε⁴ T⁴)-approximation of the solution, on a shortened time scale (0,T), with T of order o(ε^-1),for the general case (i.e. the support function μ is O(1)-valued and admits an expansion in power series of its argument), and b) a O(ε²)-approximation of the solution, on a natural timescale of order O(1/ε), for the case of a bounded variation rate (i.e. the support function μ and its derivative are both O(1)-valued). For the study of the first problem we introduced a type of Lissajous variables and used the Lie-Hori normalization scheme; for the second problem we used the Delaunay variables and applied the von Zeipel method for approximate integration. The physical interpretation of the results is in both cases the same: within the corresponding limits of approximation, the variation of e.g.p. (i) has no effect on the size of the osculating ellipse, (ii) it sets the pericenter in slow rotation and (iii) it introduces a secular variation in the longitudes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Binary interactions with high accretion rates onto main sequence stars

Energetic outflows from main sequence stars accreting mass at very high rates might account for the powering of some eruptive objects, such as merging main sequence stars, major eruptions of luminous blue variables, e.g., the Great Eruption of Eta Carinae, and other intermediate luminosity optical transients(ILOTs; red novae; red transients). These powerful outflows could potentially also supply the extra energy required in the common envelope process and in the grazing envelope evolution of binary systems. We propose that a massive outflow/jets mediated by magnetic fields might remove energy and angular momentum from the accretion disk to allow such high accretion rate flows. By examining the possible activity of the magnetic fields of accretion disks, we conclude that indeed main sequence stars might accrete mass at very high rates, up to≈10-2M⊙yr-1for solar type stars, and up toion≈1 M-⊙yr1for very massive stars. We speculate that magnetic fields amplified in such extreme condits might lead to the formation of massive bipolar outflows that can remove most of the disk's energy and angular momentum. It is this energy and angular momentum removal that allows the very high mass accretion rate onto main sequence stars.     

ISOPHOT Observations of Vega and Vega-like Stars

Detailed ISOPHOT observations of the far infrared excess of α Lyrae (Vega) are presented. The data comprise photometry in the range 25μm to 200μm and high resolution 60μm scan data to compare with 60μm and 90μm oversampled maps. The dust disk around Vega is clearly resolved. In addition similar maps of HD98800, SAO226057, SAO186777 and α Piscis Austrinus (HR8728) are evaluated, resolving the disks of two Vega-like stars/candidates and providing upper limits for the size of the other two. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

High energy properties of the flat spectrum radio quasar 4C 50.11

We investigate theγ-ray and X-ray properties of the flat spectrum radio quasar(FSRQ)4C 50.11 at redshift z=1.517.The Fermi-LAT data indicate that this source was in an active state since July 2013.During this active period,the source’s emission appeared harder inγ-rays,with the flux having increased by more than a factor of three.We analyze two distinct flares seen in the active state and find that the variability is as short as several hours.The Swift-XRT data show that the source was variable at X-ray energies,but no evidence is found for flux or spectral changes related to theγ-ray activity.The broad-band X-ray spectrum obtained with Swift-XRT and Nu STAR is described well by a broken power law model,with an extremely flat spectrum(Γ_1~0.1)below the break energy,E_(break)~2.1 keV,and Γ_2~1.5 above the break energy.The spectral flattening below~3 keV is likely due to the low energy cut-off in the energy distribution of the photon-emitting electron population.We fit the broad-band spectral energy distribution of the source during both the active and quiescent states.The X-ray andγ-ray emission from the jet is mainly due to the inverse-Compton scattering process,with seed photons provided from the broad line region,and the jet is estimated to be larger than the accretion power if the jet is mainly composed of electron-proton pairs.     

The Synchrotron-self-Compton Radiation Accompanying Shallow Decaying X-Ray Afterglow： the Case of GRB 940217

High energy emission (> tens MeV) of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) provides an important clue on the physical processes occurring in GRBs that may be correlated with the GRB early afterglow. A shallow decline phase has been well identified in about half of Swift Gamma-ray Burst X-ray afterglows. The widely considered interpretation involves a significant energy injection and possibly time-evolving shock parameter(s). We calculate the synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) radiation of such an external forward shock and show that it could explain the well-known long term high energy (i.e., tens MeV to GeV) afterglow of GRB 940217. We propose that cooperation of Swift and GLAST will help to reveal the nature of GRBs.