Observations of the gamma-ray flux from the X-ray source Cyg X-3 in 1994–1995

We present the observations of Cygnus X-3 carried out with the GT-48 gamma-ray telescope at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in 1994–1995. The mean gamma-ray flux at energy E>10¹² eV is shown to be approximately equal to 1.3×10^?11 cm^?2 s^?1. The flux in 1994 was much lower than that in 1995, being (6.2±2.6)×10^?12 cm^?2 s^?1; i.e., it was statistically insignificant. The flux in 1995 was (2.7±0.7)×10^?11 cm^?2 s^?1. Thus, the very high energy gamma-ray emission from Cyg X-3 is variable. These measurement results can be used to obtain upper limits on the flux from Cyg X-3 in 1994–1995.     

UBVRI photometry of the eclipsing symbiotic star CI Cyg during 1991–1996

UBVRI observations of the eclipsing symbiotic star CI Cyg made during 1991–1995 are analyzed, the results of which indicate that the system is in the same quiescent state as during 1985–1990. Variations in the "extra-eclipse" color index U-B with an amplitude of about 0^m.3–0^m.4 and a characteristic time of about 9–10 yr have been detected for the first time. A more thorough analysis of all available data in the UBVRI bands of the spectrum will be required to investigate the existence of possible long-period variations in the other color indices and brightness of the system.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 211–216, April–June, 1996.     

Nova Cygni 1975 (V1500 Cyg) in 2000–2009 and the nature of its synodic period

Multicolor photometric data are presented for the asynchronous polar V1500 Cyg during 2000–2009, i.e., 23–35 years after its outburst. Some examples of individual light curves of the system are shown. An analysis of these reveals large variations in its brightness and color with the phase of the orbital period owing to a “reflection effect” caused by reradiation from the side of the red dwarf facing the hot white dwarf and heated by its hard ultraviolet radiation. The variations in the O-C residuals and in the maximum intensity with the phase of the synodic period are illustrated. It is found that the amplitude A of the orbital fluctuations increases in proportion to the intensity I at a rate dA/dI=0.64. This behavior of V1500 Cyg is most likely caused by periodic shading of the illuminated part of the red dwarf, where the degree of shading depends on the phase of the synodic cycle.     

Infrared photometry of the symbiotic novae V1016 Cyg and HM Sge in 1978–1999

The photometric JHKLM observations of the symbiotic novae V1016 Cyg and HM Sge in 1978–1999 are presented. Parameters of the cool stars themselves and the dust envelopes are estimated. The periods of 470±5 days (for V1016 Cyg) and 535±5 days (for HM Sge) are reliably determined from the entire set of our photometric J data for V1016 Cyg and HM Sge. In addition, monotonic light and color variations are observed on a time scale of several thousand days, with the increase in infrared brightness occurring with the simultaneous decrease in infrared color indices; i.e., the dust envelopes in which both components of the systems were embedded before the outburst of their hot sources in 1964 and 1975, respectively, had continued to disperse until late 1999. The amplitudes of these variations for HM Sge are almost twice those for V1016 Cyg. For HM Sge, the dust envelope reached a maximum density near JD 2447500 and then began to disperse. In the case of V1016 Cyg, a maximum density of the dust envelope was probably reached near JD 2444800, and its dispersal has been continuing for about 20 years. Thus, in both symbiotic novae, their dust envelopes reached a maximum density approximately eight years after the outburst of the hot component and then began to disperse. An analysis of the color-magnitude (J–K, J) diagram reveals that grains in the dust envelopes of V1016 Cyg and HM Sge are similar in their optical properties to impure silicates. The observed [J–K, K–L] color variations for the symbiotic novae under study can be explained in terms of the simple model we chose by variations in the Mira's photospheric temperature from 2400 to 3000 K and in the dust-envelope optical depth from 1 to 3 at a wavelength of 1.25 µm for a constant grain temperature. The observed J–K and K–L color indices for both symbiotic novae, while decreasing, tend to the values typical of Miras. The dust envelopes of both symbiotic novae are optically thick. The dust envelope around HM Sge is, on the average, twice as dense as that around V1016 Cyg; the Mira in V1016 Cyg is slightly cooler (~2800–2900 K) than that in HM Sge (~2600–2700 K). The dust-envelope density decreases as the Mira's temperature increases. The absolute bolometric magnitudes are $ - 5\mathop .\limits^m 1 \pm 0\mathop .\limits^m 15$ for V 1016 Cyg and $5\mathop .\limits^m 27 \pm 0\mathop .\limits^m 17$ for HM Sge. Their distances are 2.8±0.6 and 1.8±0.4 kpc, respectively; the luminosities and radii of their cool components (Miras) are 8.6×10³ L _⊙, 1×10⁴ L _⊙, 500R _⊙, and 540R _⊙. The radii of their dust envelopes are 1400R _⊙ and 1500R _⊙; the masses are (3?3.3) × 10^?5M_⊙ and (4?8) × 10^?5M_⊙ The dust envelope of V1016 Cyg disperses slower than that of HM Sge by almost a factor of 25.     

Photometric variability and spectral features of the protoplanetary nebula LSII + 34° 26 = V1853 Cyg

We present photoelectric and spectroscopic observations of the protoplanetary object V 1853 Cyg, a B supergiant with an IR excess. Over two years of its observations, the star exhibited rapid irregular light variations with amplitudes $\Delta V = 0\mathop .\limits^m 3$ , $\Delta B = 0\mathop .\limits^m 3$ , $\Delta U = 0\mathop .\limits^m 4$ and no correlation between color and magnitude. Its mean magnitude has not changed since the first UBV observations in 1973 (Drilling 1975). Low-resolution spectroscopic observations show that the spectrum of V 1853 Cyg in 2000 corresponded to that of a B1–B2 star with T _eff ～ 20000 K. High-resolution spectroscopic observations confirm the conclusion that the profiles of absorption and emission lines are variable. We identified the star’s spectral lines and measured the equivalent widths of more than 40 lines. The star’s radial velocity is 〈V _r 〉= ?49 × 5 km s^?1, as measured from absorption lines, and ranges from–50 to–85 km s^–1 for different lines, as measured from shell emission lines. The velocity of the dust clouds on the line of sight determined from diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) and from interstellar Na I lines is 〈V _r 〉= ?16 × 5 km s^?1. The P Cyg profiles of the He I λ5876 Å and λ6678 Å lines suggest an ongoing mass loss by the star. An analysis of the observational data confirms the conclusion that the star belongs to the class of intermediatemass protoplanetary objects.     

Irradiance observations of the 1–8 Å solar soft X-ray flux from goes

The solar 0.5–8 soft X-ray flux was monitored by the NOAA Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) from 1974 to the present, providing a continuous record over two solar activity cycles. Attempts have been made to determine a soft X-ray (SXR) background flux by subtracting out solar flares (using the daily lowest flux level). The SXR background flux represents the quiescent SXR flux from heated plasma in active regions, and reflects similar (intermediate-term) variability and periodicities (e.g. 155-day period) as the SXR or hard X-ray (HXR) flare rate, although it is determined in non-flaring time intervals. The SXR background flux peaks late in Solar Cycle 21 (2–3 years after the sunspot maximum), similar to the flare rate measured in SXR, HXR, or gamma rays, possibly due the increasing complexity of coronal magnetic structures in the decay phase of the solar cycle. The SXR background flux appears to be dominated by postflare emission from the dominant active regions, while the contributions from the quiet Sun are appreciable in the Solar Minimum only (A1-level). Comparisons with full-disk integrated images from YOHKOH suggest that the presence of coronal holes can decrease the quietest SXR irradiance level by an additional order of magnitude, but only in the rare case of absence of active regions.Presented at IAU Colloquium No. 143, The Sun as a Variable Star: Solar and Stellar Irradiance Variations, Boulder, CO, June 20–25, 1993     

Photometric study of the FUor star V 1735 Cyg (Elias 1-12)

Results from optical photometric observations of the PMS star V 1735 Cyg are reported. The star is located in the IC 5146 dark cloud complex—a region of active star formation. On the basis of observed outburst and spectral properties, V 1735 Cyg was classified as a FUor object. We present data from BVRI CCD photometric observations of the star, collected from March 2003 to January 2009. Plates from the Rozhen Schmidt telescope archive were scanned for a brightness estimation of the star. A sequence of sixteen comparison stars in the field of V 1735 Cyg was calibrated in BVRI bands. The data from photographic observations made from 1986 to 1992 show a strong light variability (ΔV=1_⋅^m2). In contrast, the recent photometric data obtained from 2003 to 2009 show only small amplitude variations (ΔI=0_⋅^m3). The analysis of existing photometric data shows a very slow decrease in star brightness—1_⋅^m8 (R) for a 44 year period. The possibilities for future photometric investigations of V 1735 Cyg using the photographical plate archives is discussed briefly.     

Analysis of the intensities and profiles of the spectral line Mg xii 8.42 Å in the solar X-ray spectrum

High resolution profiles of the Mg xii 8.42 Å line in the solar X-ray spectrum were recorded from the Intercosmos 7 satellite. The Mg xii line intensity provides a sensitive indicator of the hot plasma content (T ? 3 × 10⁶ K) in coronal condensations and X-ray flare volumes. The ratio of the line intensity to the intensity of the adjacent continuum has been used to compute approximate thermal models of the emitting regions. For all the investigated coronal condensations the temperature distribution of plasma has been found to be a function monotonically decreasing with temperature. But for some X-ray bursts there occurred a distinct excess of the hot plasma of temperature between 6–10 × 10⁶K. FWHM values of the Mg xii line profiles have been used to estimate ion temperature in the emitting regions.     

Are there three peaks in the power spectra of GX 339−4 and Cyg X-1?

Among the variability behaviours exhibited by neutron star systems are the so-called 'horizontal branch oscillations' (HBO, with frequencies ≈50 Hz), the 'lower-frequency kHz quasi-periodic oscillation' (QPO) and the 'upper-frequency kHz QPO', with the latter two features being separated in frequency by an amount comparable to, but varying slightly from, the suspected spin-frequency of the neutron star. Recently, Psaltis, Belloni & van der Klis have suggested that there exists a correlation between these three frequencies that, when certain identifications of variability features are made, even encompasses black hole sources. We consider this hypothesis by reanalysing a set of GX 339−4 observations. The power spectral density (PSD) constructed from a composite of seven separate, but very similar, observations shows evidence for three broad peaks in the PSD. If the peak frequencies of these features are identified with QPO, then their frequencies approximately fit the correlations suggested by Psaltis, Belloni, & van der Klis. We also reanalyse a Cyg X-1 observation and show that the suggested QPO correlation may also hold, but that complications arise when the QPOs (which, in reality, are fairly broad features) are considered as a function of energy band. These fits suggest the existence of at least three separate, independent physical processes in the accretion flow, a hypothesis that is also supported by consideration of the Fourier frequency-dependent time lags and coherence function between variability in different energy bands. If these variability features have a common origin in neutron star and black hole systems, then 'beat frequency models' of kHz QPO in neutron star systems are called into question.     

Hα, hard X-ray,and microwave emissions in the impulsive phase of solar flares

I have studied the observational relationship between the location of flare sites in active regions and three other observables, viz., H line width, hard X-ray burst parameters, and peak microwave fluxes. Results suggest that the strength of the magnetic field plays a role in governing the magnitudes of these emissions. Qualitative relationships are derived on the assumption of proportionality between the spectral maximum frequency of the associated microwave burst and the field strength in the microwave source.The relationship inferred between the power in thick target electrons (derived from the hard X-ray burst) and the column density of second-level hydrogen atoms (derived from the H line widths) is compared with calculations by Brown (1973) and Canfield (1974).The line widths observed for two white light flares suggest that a criterion for detectable continuum emission in disk flares is an H line width 20 Å.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Infrared photometry of Sakurai’s object (V4334 Sgr) in 1996–1999

The infrared photometric observations of V4334 Sgr in 1996–1999 are presented. Together with optical data, they have allowed us to accurately estimate the bolometric flux from this star and to investigate the structure of its dust envelope over the above period. The star is shown to have passed through four well-defined stages in these four years as it moved backward along the post-AGB track, and it now appears to have started moving forward after a halt. At the first stage (1996), there was no dust in the star’s envelope. Its visual brightness slightly increased, and it reddened in the entire observed spectral range. The bolometric flux also gradually rose. At the second stage (1997), an optically thick dust envelope condensed around the star, which, however, essentially did not manifest itself at optical wavelengths. The bolometric flux continued to rise through an increase in the star’s infrared brightness alone; the rate of its rise also increased. At the third stage (1998–March 1999), V4334 Sgr entered the R CrB phase. First two shallow minima and then two deep minima were observed at optical wavelengths. The star appreciably reddened during the deep minima. The bolometric flux ceased to rise and began to gradually fall in the second half of 1998. At the fourth stage (since March 1999 up until now), V4334 Sgr has been at a protracted deep minimum, which is atypical of the R CrB stars. The bolometric flux between March and October underwent no significant variations. We describe the structure of the dust envelope around V4334 Sgr since its formation. From June 1997 until July 1998, the optical depth of the dust shell, its inner and outer radii, and its mass increased by factors of ～2.2, ～2.0, 2.3, and ～10, respectively. In July 1998, τ(V)≈2.3, R _{d, in}≈7.4×10¹⁴ cm, R _{d, in}/R _{d, out}≈0.7(R _{d, in}/R _*≈47), and M _dust≈1.6×10^?7 M _⊙.     

Temporal variations and spectral properties of the Be/X-ray pulsar GRO J1008–57 studied by INTEGRAL

The spin period variations and hard X-ray spectral properties of the Be/Xray pulsar GRO J1008–57 are studied with INTEGRAL observations during two outbursts in 2004 June and 2009 March.The pulsation periods of～93.66 s in 2004and～93.73 s in 2009 are determined.Pulse profiles of GRO J1008–57 during outbursts are strongly energy dependent with a double-peaked profile from 3–7 keV and a single-peaked profile in hard X-rays above 7 keV.Combined with previous measurements,we find that GRO J1008–57 has undergone a spin-down trend from 1993–2009 with a rate of～4.1×10-5s d-1,and could have changed into a spin-up trend after 2009.We find a relatively soft spectrum in the early phase of the 2009 outburst with cutoff energy～13 keV.Above a hard X-ray flux of～10-9erg cm-2s-1,the spectra of GRO J1008–57 during outbursts need an enhanced hydrogen absorption with column density～6×1022cm-2.The observed dip-like pulse profile of GRO J1008–57 in soft X-ray bands could be caused by this intrinsic absorption.Around the outburst peaks,a possible cyclotron resonance scattering feature at～74 keV is detected in the spectra of GRO J1008–57 which is consistent with the feature that was reported in MAXI/GSC observations,making the source a neutron star with the highest known magnetic field(～6.6×1012G)among accreting X-ray pulsars.This marginal feature is supported by the present detections in GRO J1008–57 following the correlation between the fundamental line energies and cutoff energies in accreting X-ray pulsars.Finally we discovered two modulation periods at～124.38 d and～248.78 d using RXTE/ASM light curves of GRO J1008–57.Two flare peaks appearing in the folded light curve had different spectral properties.The normal outburst lasting 0.1 of an orbital phase had a hard spectrum and could not be significantly detected below 3 keV.The second flare lasting ten days showed a very soft spectrum without significant detections above 5 keV.GRO J1008–57 is a good candidate of an accreting system with an equatorial circumstellar disk around the companion star.The neutron star passing the disk of the Be star near periastron and apastron produces two X-ray flares.The soft spectral properties in the secondary flares still need further detailed studies with soft X-ray spectroscopy.     

Particle Acceleration and High-Frequency (X-ray and γ-ray) Emission in the Jets of Active Galactic Nuclei

It is suggested that the outflowing plasma in the jets of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is inhomogeneous and consists of separate clouds. These clouds are strongly magnetized and move away from the central engine at relativistic speeds. The clouds interact with an ambient medium which is assumed to be at rest. In the process of this interaction, particles of the ambient medium are accelerated to high energies at the cloud front and flow ahead of the front. It is shown that the radiation of the accelerated particles may be responsible for the X-ray and γ-ray emission from AGN jets. TeV γ-ray emission is generated in the inner parts of AGN jets where the Lorentz factor of the cloud fronts is Γ0≥ 30, while GeV γ-ray emission emanates from the outer parts of AGN jets where Γ0 is ∼ 10. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ultraviolet studies of the interstellar gas in the direction of the stars AE Aur (09.5V) andθ 2 Ori A (09.0V)

We have studied high-resolution SWP spectra of AE Aur and ² Ori A, obtained from the International Ultraviolet Explorer Satellite; and derived curve of growth and column densities ofCii,Cii ^*, Alii, Siii, Siii ^*,Sii, Crii, Feii, Niii, and Znii. It has been possible to fit these ions on one empirical curve of growth with a velocity parameterb=13 km s^–1 for both stars.Based on the observations made by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE), and collected at the Villafranca Satellite Tracking Station of the European Space Agency.     

HST spectral imaging of Titan's haze and methane profile between 0.6 and 1 μm during the 2000 opposition

We report on the analysis of high spatial resolution visible to near-infrared spectral images of Titan at Ls=240° in November 2000, obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph instrument on board the Hubble Space Telescope as part of program GO-8580. We employ a radiative transfer fractal particle aerosol model with a Bayesian parameter estimation routine that computes Titan's absolute reflectivity per pixel for 122 wavelengths by modeling the vertical distribution of the lower atmosphere haze and tropospheric methane. Analysis of these data suggests that Titan's haze concentration in the lower atmosphere varies in strength with latitude. We find Titan's tropospheric methane profile to be fairly consistent with latitude and longitude, and we find evidence for local areas of a CH₄-N₂ binary saturation in Titan's troposphere. Our results suggest that a methane and haze profile at one location on Titan would not be representative of global conditions.     

Detection of Solar Rotational Variability in the Large Yield RAdiometer (LYRA) 190 – 222 nm Spectral Band

We analyze the variability of the spectral solar irradiance during the period from 7 January 2010 until 20 January 2010 as measured by the Herzberg channel (190?–?222 nm) of the Large Yield RAdiometer (LYRA) onboard PROBA2. In this period of time, observations by the LYRA nominal unit experienced degradation and the signal produced by the Herzberg channel frequently jumped from one level to another. Both factors significantly complicate the analysis. We present the algorithm that allowed us to extract the solar variability from the LYRA data and compare the results with SORCE/SOLSTICE measurements and with modeling based on the Code for the Solar Irradiance (COSI).     

The Characteristics of the X-ray Flares (1-8, GOES) of the Different Classes and Their Variations in Two Cycles of Solar Activity

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Photometric observations and modelling of the asteroid 85 Io in conjunction with data from an occultation event during the 1995–96 apparition

The asteroid 85 Io has been observed using CCD and photoelectric photometry on 18 nights during its 1995–96 and 1997 apparitions. We present the observed lightcurves, determined colour indices and modelling of the asteroid spin vector and shape. The colour indices (U-B = 0.35±0.02, B-V = 0.66±0.02, V-R = 0.34±0.02, R-I = 0.36±0.02) are as expected for a C-type asteroid. The allowed spin vector solutions have the pole co-ordinates λ₀ = 285±4°, β₀ = −52±9° or λ₀ = 108±10°, β₀ = −46±10° and λ₀ = 290±10°, β₀ = −16±10° with a retrograde sense of rotation and a sidereal period P_sid = 0^d.286463±0^d.000001. During the 1995–96 apparition the International Occultation Time Association (IOTA) observed an occultation event by 85 Io. The observations and modelling presented here were analysed together with the occultation data to develop improved constraints on the size of the asteroid. The derived value of 164 km is about 5% larger than the IRAS diameter. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.     

Morphology of the Light Curves for the X-ray Novae H 1743-322 and GX 339-4 during Their Outbursts in 2005–2019

Astronomy Letters - Based on long-term SWIFT, RXTE, and MAXI observations of the X-ray novae H 1743-322 (IGR J17464-3213) and GX 339-4, we have investigated the morphology and classified the light...     

Some Features of Comet Hale–Bopp (According to the Observations of 1995–1998)

Solar System Research - “The Great Comet of 1997” was a significant event in cometary physics. Numerous interesting scientific studies are devoted to this comet. Unfortunately, in the...