The Mark IV Nançay radioheliograph

A multi-frequency capability has been added to the north-south array of the Nançay Radioheliograph, providing observations at up to five frequencies between 150 and 450 MHz with time resolution 0.1 s. The projected position, brightness and dimension of sources in the solar corona can thus be studied as a function of height. Two-dimensional information is obtained at 164 MHz using the east-west and north-south arrays. In addition, the quiescent corona can be mapped in two dimensions at all observed frequencies by earth rotation synthesis. The paper describes the new aspects of the antennae, the receiver frontend, the data acquisition and the calibration procedure. The performances of the instrument are illustrated with multi-frequency observations of solar fast-drift bursts, continuum emission and maps of the quiet corona.Meudon: Y. Avignon, J. Bonmartin, A. Bouteille, B. Clavelier, E. Hulot, M. P. Issartel, A. Kerdraon, K.-L. Klein, P. Lantos, C. Mercier, M. Pick, A. Raoult, D. Rigaud, G. Trottet, N. Vilmer. Nançay: C. Chantelat, M. Chapuis, Y. Chapuis, A. Coffre, C. Couteret, B. Darchy, P. Guéniau, D. Lalardie, P. Picard, R. Tocqueville.     

The mark II Nançay radioheliograph

We describe the new Nançay Radioheliograph (version II) which is a multicorrelator system. The main characteristics of this instrument are high space and time resolutions and flexible on-line data processing. At present it produces one-dimensional images at 169 MHz. This instrument is mainly intended for solar observations.An accurate calibration of the instrument has been carried out leading to a precise fringe stopping and to a proper knowledge of the grating response. Preliminary solar results are presented: existence of apparent motions in noise storms with a velocity of the order of 5000 km s^–1; observations of radiobursts as narrow as 0.7 (Kerdraon, 1977); observations of spikeburst activity.Presently in Sydney, Australia.     

Coronal structures observed at metric wavelengths with the Nançay radioheliograph

We present and discuss two-dimensional maps of the Sun at 169 MHz, obtained with the Nançay radioheliograph used as an Earth rotation aperture synthesis instrument. The maps have been computed on the basis of about 6 hr of one-dimensional observations by the east-west and the north-south arrays of the radioheliograph and have a resolution of 1.5 by 4.2 for a solar declination near 23°. In addition to a broad background component, the maps show several features both brighter and darker than the background. Some of the bright features are sources of noise storm continua, as evidenced by their positions relative to active regions and by the occurrence of type I bursts. Weaker emission regions are apparently associated with neutral lines of the photospheric magnetic field. We found no sources associated with extended quiescent filaments. Some of the depressions on the maps correspond to coronal holes both in the equatorial region and near the poles, while the more shallow ones may be arch regions with low electron temperature and/or emission measure. The distribution of brightness temperature at a height of 0.15 solar radii above the photospheric limb shows a gross similarity with coronal green line observations. The present results indicate that the notion of the slowly varying component at metric wavelengths may have to be reexamined, since sources of different nature may have been grouped in this component in the past.On leave from the section of Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics, Department of Physics, University of Athens.     

Joint Nançay Radioheliograph and Lasco Observations of Coronal Mass Ejections - I. The 1 July 1996 Event

The development of a coronal mass ejection on 1 July 1996 has been analyzed by comparing the observations of the LASCO/SOHO coronagraph with those of the Nançay radioheliograph. This comparison brings new insight and very useful diagnosis for the study of CME events. It is shown that the initial instability took place in a small volume located above an active region and that the occurrence of short radio type III bursts implies a triggering process due to magnetic field interactions. The subsequent spatial and temporal evolution of the radio emission strongly suggests that the large scale structure becomes unstable within the first minute of the event.     

Theβ index in cool stars

If we follow recent work and in order to extend theuvby photometric calibrations to spectral types later than G0, we present an attempt to use the combineduvby and systems for stars in the range G5-K7 and luminosity classes V to III.The behaviour in the MK-, (b–y)– and cl– diagrams of the 200 stars, only good spectroscopic data being considered, suggests the usefulness of the index as an independent parameter for late-type Main-Sequence stars, following in a natural way the general trend defined by Crawford for F- and G-type stars.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain     

The Gyrosynchrotron Radiation Spectrum in a Nonuniform Source

Effects of the energy spectral index δ, low energy cutoff E0 and number density N of energetic electrons on gyrosynchrotron spectrum are investigated for a model source with a nonuniform magnetic field. It is found that the flux density Sv of the x-mode and o-mode systematically increase with increasing E0, N and with decreasing δ. The peak frequency of the spectrum, vp, also systematically increases as increasing E0 and N, but it may not depend on δ. The gyrosynchrotron radiation in the nonuniform case is polarized predominately in the x-mode at v ≥ 3 GHz. A sense reversal of circular polarization also occurs but at much lower frequencies (v ≤ 3 GHz). The reversal frequency also increases with increasing E0 and N, but it perhaps is independent of δ.     

The rms–flux relations in different branches in Cyg X-2

In this paper, the rms-flux (root mean square-flux) relation along the Z-track of the bright Z-Source Cyg X-2 is analyzed using the observational data of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). Three types of rms-flux relations, i.e. positive, negative, and ‘arch’-like correlations are found in different branches. The rms is positively correlated with flux in normal branch (NB), but anti-correlated in the vertical horizontal branch (VHB). The rms–flux relation shows an ‘arch’-like shape in the horizontal branch (HB). We also try to explain this phenomenon using existing models.     

The velocity field in the atmosphere of δ Cephei

Observations related to the photospheric velocity field of Cephei can be interpreted as follows: during the whole cycle of pulsations the only motion form in the atmosphere is a wave motion with a nearly constant full amplitude of approximately 15 km s^–1, and a wavelength of about 10⁶ km (which are quantities, about equal to the amplitudes of pulsational velocity and radius of the star). There are no significant small-scale turbulent velocity components. The microturbulent and macroturbulent velocities, as derived from spectral line observations, are fully compatible with this picture.     

The helium 10830 Å line in the undisturbed chromosphere

A study of the solar spectrum near helium 10 830 Å has shown that, where the line is very weak, the anomalous ratio of the two components is due almost certainly to faint blends. The centre-limb intensity variation over supergranule centres is in good agreement with an optically-thin law. The line is stronger over supergranule boundaries, and the ratio of the two components can be understood only if the absorbing elements have been resolved incompletely (as is probable); using centre-limb intensity variations, we have been unable to distinguish between unresolved horizontal platelets or inclined slabs.The integrated absorption in 10 830 Å over supergranule centres is double that at the boundaries. An analysis of the extension of 10 830 Å beyond the limb has failed to reveal the relative contributions from these two regions or their variations with height (though the supergranule-centre emission should be located relatively low). Line profiles in 10 830 Å, hydrogen Pa and Caii 8542 Å indicate that, out to at least 5000 km, line broadening is effectively non-thermal, with horizontal rms velocities of about 20 km s^–1.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

The Structrue and Shape of Magnetic Cavity in Comets

In this paper we discuss the 1-d structure of magnetic field outside the magnetic cavity in comets along the sun-comet axis.Our result is based on the equilibrium of the magnetic force with the friction.This result is compared with the results of cravens,Ip and Axford We also extend this result from 1-D to 2-D.     

The electron density in the direction of ζ Oph

It is shown that photoionization of vibrationally excited H₂ and photodissociation of the H ₂ ⁺ ions produced thereby constitute a significant electron production route in high UV flux situations. A significant fraction of the electron density in the direction of ζ Oph (?15 km s^?1 cloud) deduced from observations may be expected to arise in this way.     

The Role of Nuclei-Nuclei Interactions in the Production of Gamma-ray Lines in Solar Flares

Dramatic extensions of experimental possibilities (spacecraft RHESSI, CORONAS-F and others) in solar gamma-ray astronomy call for urgent, detailed theoretical consideration of a set of physical problems of solar activity and solar-terrestrial relationships that earlier may have only been outlined. Here we undertake a theoretical analysis of issues related to the production of gamma-radiation in the processes of interactions of energetic (accelerated) heavy and middle nuclei with the nuclei of the solar atmosphere (the so-called i-j interactions). We also make an estimate of the contribution of these interactions to the formation of nuclear and isotopic abundances of the solar atmosphere in the range of light and rare elements. The analysis is carried out for solar flares in the wide range of their intensities. We compare our theoretical estimates with RHESSI observations for the flare of 2002 July 23. It was shown that the 24Mg gamma-ray emission in this event was produced by the newly generated Mg nucle     

The motion of charged dust particles in interplanetary space—I. The zodiacal dust cloud

The problem of electromagnetic perturbations of charged dust particle orbits in interplanetary space has been re-examined in the light of our better understanding of the large scale spatial and temporal interplanetary plasma and field topology. Using both analytical and numerical solutions for particle propagation it was shown that: (1) stochastic variations induced by electromagnetic forces are unimportant for the zodiacal dust cloud except for the lowest masses, (2) systemetic variations in orbit inclinations are unimportant if orbital radii are larger than 10 a.u. This is due to the solar cycle variation in magnetic polarity which tends to cancel out systematic effects, (3) systematic variations in orbital parameters (inclination, longitude of ascending node, longitude of perihel) induced by electromagnetic forces inside 1 a.u. tend to shift the plane of symmetry of the zodiacal dust cloud somewhat towards the solar magnetic equatorial plane, (4) inside 0.3 a.u. there is a possibility that dust particles may enter a region of “magnetically resonant” orbits for some time. Changes in orbit parameters are then correspondingly enhanced, (5) the observed similarity of the plane of symmetry of zodiacal light with the solar equatorial plane may be the effect of the interaction of charged interplanetary dust particles with the interplanetary magnetic field. Numerical orbit calculation of dust particles show that one of the results of this interaction is the rotation of the orbit plane about the solar rotational axis.     

The ‘naked’ singularity in the scalar-tensor gravitation theory

The complete analysis of possible types of non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic motions in the field of the naked singularity of the STGT is given. The problem of the infall of a monochromatic radiation emitter on the naked singularity is studied. In spite of the absence of a freezing effect in the STGT, the naked singularity is not observable, for the brightness of the falling emitter decreases much faster than in the GTR. Atrr _g , the trajectory of particles and light are quite similar to that of the GTR, and due to this fact the naked singularity is observationally indistinguishable from a black hole.     

The Hβ Chromospheric Magnetic Field in a Quiescent Filament

We observed the line-of-sight magnetic field in the chromosphereand photosphere of a large quiescent filament on the solar disk on September 6, 2001 using the Solar Magnetic Field Telescope in Huairou Solar Observing Station. The chromospheric and photospheric magnetograms together with Hβ filtergrams of the filament were examined. The filament was located on the neutral line of the large scale longitudinal magnetic field in the photosphere and the chromosphere. The lateral feet of the filament were found to be related to magnetic structures with opposite polarities. Two small lateral feet are linked to weak parasitic polarity. There is a negative magnetic structure in the photosphere under a break of the filament. At the location corresponding to the filament in the chromospheric magnetograms, the magnetic strength is found to be about 40-70 Gauss (measuring error about 39 Gauss). The magnetic signal indicates the amplitude and orientation of the internal magnetic field in the filament. We discuss several possible causes which may produce such a measured signal. A twisted magnetic configuration inside the filament is suggested .     

The Multi-Wavelength Quasar Survey Ⅲ. Quasars in Field 836

This is the third paper in a series connected with our Multiwavelength Quasar Survey. The survey is aimed to provide a quasar sample more complete than any previous survey by using a combined selection technique to reduce selection effects. We present the observational results for the X-ray candidates in field f836. We found 15 X-ray AGNs in this field of which eight are new discoveries. The X-ray data and optical spectra of these AGNs are given. We give the X-ray candidate selection criteria, which proved to be highly efficient in isolating X-ray AGNs.     

The growth of wind-waves in Titan’s hydrocarbon seas

Ocean wave growth on Titan is considered. The classic Sverdrup–Munk theory for terrestrial wave growth is applied to Titan, and is compared with a simple energy balance model that exposes the effect of Titan’s environmental parameters (air density, gravity, and fluid density). These approaches are compared with the only previously-published (semi-empirical) model (Ghafoor, N.A.-L., Zarnecki, J.C., Challenor, P., Srokosz, M.A. [2000] J. Geophys. Res. 105, 12,077–12,091, hereafter G2k), and allow the impact of various parameters such as atmospheric density to be transparently explored.Our model, like G2k, suggests fully-developed significant wave heights on Titan H_s = 0.2 U², where U is the windspeed (SI units): in dimensionless terms this is rather close to H_s = 0.2 U²/g, a rule of thumb previously noted for terrestrial waves (we find various datasets where the prefactor varies by ～2). It is noted that liquid and air densities affect the growth rate of waves, but not their fully-developed height: for 1 m/s winds wave amplitude reaches 0.15 m (75% of fully-developed) with a fetch of only 1 km, rather faster than predicted by G2k. Liquid viscosity has no major effect on gravity wave growth, but does influence the threshold windspeed at which gravity–capillary waves form in the first place.The model is used to develop predicted ranges for wave height to guide the design of the Titan Mare Explorer (TiME), a proposed Discovery-class mission to float a capsule on Ligeia Mare in 2023. For the expected maximum 1 m/s winds, a significant wave height of 0.2 m and wavelength of ～4 m can be expected. Assuming that wave heights follow Rayleigh statistics as they do on Earth, then given the wave period of ～4 s, individual waves of ～0.6 m might be encountered over a 3 month period.For predicted Titan winds at Kraken Mare, significant wave heights may reach ～0.6 m in the peak of summer but do not exceed the tidal amplitude at its northern end, consistent with the area around Mayda Insula being a tidal flat, while elsewhere on Kraken and Ligeia and at Ontario Lacus, shorelines may be wave- or tidally-dominated, depending on the specific location.     

The Multi-Wavelength Quasar Survey III. Quasars in Field 836

This is the third paper in a series connected with our Multiwavelength Quasar Survey. The survey is aimed to provide a quasar sample more complete than any previous survey by using a combined selection technique to reduce selection effects. We present the observational results for the X-ray candidates in field f836. We found 15 X-ray AGNs in this field of which eight are new discoveries. The X-ray data and optical spectra of these AGNs are given. We give the X-ray candidate selection criteria, which proved to be highly efficient in isolating X-ray AGNs.     

The α-Effect and proton acceleration in the solar wind

The quantum field model is used to study the correlation functions of velocity and magnetic fluctuations in helical developed MHD turbulence of solar wind which is generated by random forces with mixed noise correlators. The exponential increase of the magnetic fluctuations is stabilized by spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism, which leads to the creation of homogeneous magnetic field 〈E〉, and consequently, gives rise to the α-effect. The maximum value of the α-effect is determined in the Kolmogorov universal regime and its contribution to the proton acceleration is estimated. The contribution of the α-effect to ∼100 MeV proton acceleration is discussed and compared with the 2nd Fermi acceleration mechanism. This article was submitted by the authors in English.