Convective flux in the solar photosphere as determined from fluctuations

The fractional convective flux πF _c (x _c /πF) is computed for the effective level x _c = logτ _c = 0.125, using bi-dimensional co-spectra for relative continuum-brightness fluctuations ΔI and radial velocity fluctuations ΔV measured for the C _i 5052.16 spectral line. A more uncertain flux for x _Fe ≈ - 0.9 is obtained for the Fe _i 5049.83 line. Since the results (Figure 1) incorporate current uncertainties in RMS _ΔI , RMS _ΔV and RMS _ΔT (x), where ΔT are photospheric temperature fluctuations, they must be considered qualitative until these uncertainties are appreciably reduced. The requirement that the fractional convective flux < 1, places restrictions on these uncertainties which suggest that current RMS _ΔT (x)'s are too large. The results confirm the importance of overshoot at the top of the solar hydrogen convection zone and suggest a non-negligible fractional convective flux throughout the lower photosphere. Qualitatively, they do not agree with the predictions of the generally-used, local, mixing-length theory or those of Parsons' (1969) modified mixing-length theory. However, qualitative agreement with the predictions of the non-local, generalized mixing-length theory of Spiegel (1963) and with the non-local theory of Ulrich (1970) cannot be considered as observational confirmation of these theories.     

The total photospheric motion field

Brief consideration is given to the conception of the total photospheric motion field. A synthesis of the most thorough investigations is made and the radial (V ^rad) and tangential (V ^tg) components of the velocity amplitude of the total photospheric motion field are deduced. At depth logτ₅ = ?3.0 V ^rad and V ^tg have average values of 1.2 and 1.7 km s^?1 respectively. They increase smoothly with depth and reach their maximum values of V ^rad=3.0, V ^tg=3.4 km s^?1 at depths logτ₅= ?0.2 and logτ₅ = +0.4 respectively. In the deep photospheric layers both components seem to decrease with depth.     

Ring current simulation in connection with interplanetary space conditions

A ring current model has been obtained which permits calculations ofD_st variations on the Earth's surface during magnetic storms. The changes in D_st are described by the equation

$\text{d}\text{d}\text{t}\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{sto}}\text{= F(EM)?}\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{sto}}\text{tau;}$

where $\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{sto}}\text{= D}{}_{\mathrm{st}}\text{-bp}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{+~tc}$; p = mnv² is solar wind pressure; F(EM) is the function, controlled by the electromagnetic parameters of interplanetary medium, of injection into ring current ; τ is the constant of ring current decay. $\text{C}\text{= C}\text{u}\text{τ?=18}\text{nT}$, where C is the level of the D_st-variation field measurements; ? is the injection function characterizing the quasisteady-state injection of energy into the ring-current region. The constant Ç is determined from the condition that the change of the ring current energy from magnetic storm commencement to end should equal the difference between the injected and dissipated energy throughout the storm. The values of the factors b and τ were found by the method of minimizing the sum of the quadratic deviations of the calculated D_st from the values observed throughout the storm : b = 0.23 nT/(eV cm^?3)^{$\text{1}\text{2}$}, τ = 8.2 h at D_st? ? 55 nT and τ = 5.8 h at -120 ? D_st ? — 55 nT. The injection function F(EM) is of the form F(EM) = d(E_y? A) at the values of the azimuthal component of the solar wind electric field E_y ? A, and F(EM) =0 at A?E_y.d = ? 1.2 × 10^?3 Ts^?1 (mV/m)^?1 and A = ? 0.9 mV m^?1 . Thus, the injection to ring current is possible at the northward B_z component of the IMF.     

Etude variationnelle des decalages spectraux

In a static gravitational field the paths of light are curved, as noticed by H. Weyl. This property can bea priori stated for aV ₃ Riemannian manifold: through any two points ofV ₃ it is possible to draw two families of curves, the straight lines of Euclidean geometry and the photon trajectoriesz. We can perform a fibration of the Galilean space-time in an original way, by taking thez-trajectories of the photons as the base, the isochronic surfaces as fibres, and ‘the equal length time on az trajectory to reach a given point’ as the equivalence relation. The straight lines of Euclidean geometry can then carry the classical mechanics timet, and thez trajectories can carry the optics time t. These times are related by dt=F(x,t) dt. If we class the Universe as a pseudo-Riemannian manifold of normal hyperbolic typeC ^∞, the time t determined above can be taken as the time coordinate inV ₄. Under these conditions we have \(d\overline s ^2 \) =F ² \(d\overline s ^2 \) , where \(d\overline s ^2 \) is the metric of the Riemannian manifold, conforming to the metric ds ² and allowing t as the cosmic time. We can then use the results previously achieved by the author (Peton, 1979) and write: 1 +Z _G =F(A _s,t _s,)/F(Ao_s,t _o) wherez _G denotes the shift of the spectral lines due to the metric. In the case of relative motion betweenO andS, we have $${\text{1 + z' = (1 + }}z_{\text{G}} {\text{)(1 + }}\beta _{\text{r}} {\text{)(1 }} - {\text{ }}\beta ^2 {\text{)}}^{ - 1/2} $$ The Doppler-Fizeau effect therefore appears as a result of the application of the Fermat principle.     

Diffusion tensor for Galactic cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium with a magnetic field

The Boltzmann kinetic equation is analyzed in the MHD approximation. This analysis requires an explicit expression for the collision integral F _c. In the classical theory, F _c=?vf _μ ⁽¹⁾ Ω_μ, where f _μ ⁽¹⁾ is the first spherical harmonic in the Galactic-cosmic-ray (GCR) distribution, Ω_μ are the components of a unit particle velocity vector, and the frequency ν of collisions between GCRs and interplanetary magnetic-field nonuniformities is assumed to be a scalar. The assumption that ν_ij is a tensor (which is the result of anisotropy in the interplanetary medium) distinguishes this study from others. Since the anisotropic GCR effects in the heliomagnetosphere are marginal, the nondiagonal elements of tensor ν_ij were set equal to zero. Our analysis has yielded the diffusion-tensor components D _∥, and D _A, which are expressed in terms of interplanetary parameters. The energy dependencies of D _∥, and D _A are in good agreement with the experimental data and calculations by other authors.     

A measurement of the 362 GHz absorption line of Mars atmospheric H2O2

The 362.156 GHz absorption spectrum of H₂O₂ in the Mars atmosphere was observed on September 4 of 2003, employing the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) sub-millimeter facility on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Radiative transfer analysis of this line absorption yields an average volume mixing ratio of 18±0.4 ppbv within the lower (0-30 km) Mars atmosphere, in general accordance with standard photochemical models (e.g., Nair et al., 1994, Icarus 111, 124-150). Our derived H₂O₂ abundance is roughly three times greater than the upper limit retrieved by Encrenaz et al. (2002, Astron. Astrophys. 396, 1037-1044) from infrared spectroscopy, although part of this discrepancy may result from the different solar longitudes (L_s) of observation. Aphelion-to-perihelion thermal forcing of the global Mars hygropause generates substantial (>200%) increases in HO_x abundances above ∼10 km altitudes between the L_s=112° period of the Encrenaz et al. upper limit measurement and the current L_s=250° period of detection (Clancy and Nair, 1996, J. Geophys. Res. 101, 12785-12590). The observed H₂O₂ line absorption weakens arguments for non-standard homogeneous (Encrenaz et al., 2002, Astron. Astrophys. 396, 1037-1044) or heterogeneous (Krasnopolsky, 2003a, J. Geophys. Res. 108; 2003b, Icarus 165, 315-325) chemistry, which have been advocated partly on the basis of infrared (8 μm) non-detections for Mars H₂O₂. Observation of Mars H₂O₂ also represents the first measurement of a key catalytic specie in a planetary atmosphere other than our own.     

Methane abundance in the atmosphere of Uranus

Modeling of the geometric albedo of Uranus in and near prominent methane absorption bands between 0.5 and 0.9 μm indicates that the visible atmosphere probably consists of a thin aerosol haze layer (τ_scat ? 0.3?0.5; ω_H ? 0.95) above an optically thick, semi-infinite Rayleigh scattering atmosphere. A significant depletion of methane gas above the haze layer is indicated. The mixing ratio of methane in the lower atmosphere is consistent with a value of CH₄/H₂ ? 3 × 10^?3, comparable to those derived for Jupiter and Saturn.     

Liquid water on Mars: An energy balance climate model for CO2/H2O atmospheres

Geologic evidence of the prior existence of liquid water on Mars suggests surface temperatures T_s were once considerably warmer than at present; and that such a condition may have arisen from a larger atmospheric greenhouse. Here we develop a simple climate model for a CO₂/H₂O Mars atmosphere including water vapor-longwave opacity feedback in the atmosphere and temperature-albedo feedback at surface icecaps, under the assumption that once the Martian surface pressure was p_s ≥ 1 atm CO₂. Longwave flux to space is computed as a function of T_s and p_s using band-absorption models for the effect of the 15-μm fundamental, and the 10- and 15-μm hot bands, of the CO₂ molecule; as well as the pure rotation bands and e continuum of H₂O. The derived global radiative balance predicts a global mean surface temperature of 283°K at 1 atm CO₂. When the emission model is coupled to a latitudinally resolved energy balance climate model, including the effect of poleward heat transfer by atmospheric baroclinic eddies, the solutions vary, depending on p_s. We considered two cases: (1) the present Mars (p_s ? 0.007 atm) with pressure-buffering by solid CO₂ icecaps, and limited poleward heat flux by the atmosphere; and (2) a hypothetical “hot Mars” (p_s ? 1.0 atm), whose much higher CO₂ amount augmented by H₂O evaporative feedback yields a theoretical T_s distribution with latitude admitting liquid water over 95% of the surface, water icecaps at the poles, and a diminished equator-to-pole temperature gradient relative to the present.     

The cosmic age crisis and the Hubble constant in a non-expanding universe

The present paper outlines a cosmological paradigm based upon Dirac’s large number hypothesis and continual creation of matter in a closed static (nonexpanding) universe. The cosmological redshift is caused by the tired-light phenomenon originally proposed by Zwicky. It is shown that the tired-light cosmology together with continual matter creation has a universal Hubble constant H ₀=(512π ²/3)^1/6(GC ₀)^1/3 fixed by the universal rate C ₀ of matter creation, where G is Newton’s gravitational constant. It is also shown that a closed static universe has a finite age τ ₀=(243π ⁵/8GC ₀)^1/3 also fixed by the universal rate of matter creation. The invariant relationship H ₀ τ ₀=3π ²6^1/2 shows that a closed static universe is much older (≈one trillion years) than any expanding universe model based upon Big-Bang cosmology. It is this property of a static universe that resolves any cosmic age crisis provided that galaxy formation in the universe is a continual recurring process. Application of Dirac’s large number hypothesis gives a matter creation rate C ₀=4.6×10^?48 gm?cm^?3?s^?1 depending only on the fundamental constants of nature. Hence, the model shows that a closed static universe has a Hubble constant H ₀=70 km?s^?1?Mpc^?1 in good agreement with recent astronomical determinations of H ₀. By using the above numerical value for H ₀ together with observational data for elongated cellular-wall structures containing superclusters of galaxies, it is shown that the elongated cellular-wall configurations observed in the real universe are at least one hundred billion years old. Application of the microscopic laws of physics to the large-scale macroscopic universe leads to a static eternal cosmos endowed with a matter-antimatter symmetry. It is proposed that the matter-antimatter asymmetry is continuously created by particle-antiparticle pair annihilation occurring in episodic cosmological gamma-ray bursts observed in the real universe.     

Modulational instability of fast magnetosonic waves in a solar plasma

Transverse amplitude modulations of fast magnetosonic waves propagating perpendicular to the background magnetic field are shown to be unstable on a time scale τ ～- λ_∥/V _aφ, if the wave amplitude φ exceeds a critical value, φ _c = C _s/V _a. The slow modes generated by the modulational instability under gravity can propagate along the magnetic field with the characteristic velocity, V _ph = g/2k _∥ V _aφ. The applications of this modulational instability and slow-mode generation mechanism to a solar plasma are discussed.     

Radiative equilibrium model of Titan's atmosphere

A simple global radiative equilibrium model is developed for Titan. It is restricted to the two-stream approximation, is vertically homogeneous in its scattering properties, and is spectrally divided into one thermal and two solar channels. A partially absorbing “violet” channel is responsible for heating in the stratosphere, while a conservatively scattering “red” channel permits heating at the surface. The optical thickness of the atmosphere in the red is 1 < τ₁^r < 3. Between 13 and 33% of the total incident solar radiation is absorbed at the planetary surface. The ratio of violet to thermal infrared absorption cross sections is between 30 and 60 in the stratosphere, leading to the large temperature inversion observed there. The observed and theoretically computed tropopause temperatures are 72 and 69°K, respectively, while their corresponding thermal optical depths are, respectively, ～0.1 and ～0.07. The spectrally integrated mass absorption coefficient at thermal wavelengths is approximately constant throughout the stratosphere and roughly linear with pressure in the troposphere. This in turn implies the presence of a uniformly mixed aerosol in the stratosphere, and suggests pressure-induced absorption by gaseous N₂CH₄H₂ in the troposphere. In addition there appear to be two regions of enhanced opacity near 30 and 500 mbar which may be due to C₂H₂C₂H₆C₃H₈ and CH₄ condensation clouds, respectively.     

Differences between the two types Seyfert 2 galaxies - With and without polarized broad lines

Based on spectropolarimetric observations Seyfert 2 (Sy2) galaxies are generally divided into two populations. Some Sy2s show polarized broad emission lines (PBLs) which is an evidence for the hypothesis of the Unified model while others do not. In order to determine the properties of these two apparently different populations we compiled a sample of 66 Sy2 objects with and without detected PBLs. We used a (J − H) − (H − K_s) diagram based on 2MASS J, H, K_s magnitudes in 14 arcsec aperture, the F_[OIII] emission line flux and the infrared emission flux F_Ks using the K_s filter. From the (J − H) − (H − K_s) diagram we determined that one third of the Sy2 objects with PBLs have a power-law infrared component which could be a result of both a non-thermal AGN component scattered by free electrons (or dust) and emission from hot dust near its sublimation temperature. The rest of the objects (with PBLs) are significantly dominated by a dust thermal re-emission. The Sy2s without PBLs show infrared emission dominated by a host galaxy stellar component and also by thermal dust re-emission. The Sy2s with PBLs tend to have a few times larger L_[OIII] luminosities than those without. Following the median values of F_[OIII]/F_Ks, it seems that this ratio is sensitive enough to separate our sample of Sy2 galaxies into two types - with and without PBLs. There are no Sy2s with PBLs having Eddington ratio below 10⁻³ which confirms the results of Nicastro et al. (2003).     

The radiation field in photospheric models for extreme supergiants

On the basis of assumed photospheric temperature models for 36 extreme supergiants (logg _e -values of 1, 0.5 and 0;T _e ranging from approx. 3700–33 000 K) photospheric fluxesS(τ_λ) were computed for 36 wavelengths ranging from 100 Å to 60 000 Å. The hot models are in perfect radiative equilibrium; the cooler show deviations up to 10%, sometimes even larger. Only in the relatively deep parts of the photospheres (τ₅?1) the radiation field at each geometrical level can be characterized by one unique radiation temperature; for smaller τ₅-values there are large deviations from local thermal equilibrium. The influence of deviations from local thermodynamical equilibrium on the fluxes is briefly examined, and appears small but for the shortest wavelengths. In tables and graphs we give for these models πF(γ)-values, integrated fluxes, effective temperatures, coloursU, B andV, and the Balmer discontinuityD.     

Microscale simulations of Venus’ convective adjustment and mixing near the surface: Thermal and material transport processes

Heat and material transport processes caused by convective adjustment and mixing are important in modeling of Venus’ atmosphere. In the present study, microscale atmospheric simulations near the venusian surface were conducted using a Weather Research and Forecasting model to elucidate the thermal and material transport processes of convective adjustment and mixing. When convective adjustment occurs, the heat and passive tracer are rapidly mixed into the upper stable layer with convective penetration. The convective adjustment produces large eddy diffusions of heat and passive tracer, which may explain the large eddy diffusions estimated in the radiative-convective equilibrium model.For values of surface heat flux Q greater than a threshold (=0.064 K m s⁻¹ in the present study), the convectively mixed layer with high eddy diffusion coefficients grows with time. In contrast, the mixed layer decays with time for Q values smaller than the threshold. The thermal structure near the surface is controlled not only by extremely long-term radiative processes, but also by microscale dynamics with time scales of several hours. A mixed layer with high eddy diffusion coefficients may be maintained or grow with time if the surface heat flux is high in the volcanic hotspot and adjacent areas.     

New spectroscopic observations of the post-AGB star V354 Lac = IRAS 22272+5435

The strongest absorption features with the lower-level excitation potentials χ _low < 1 eV are found to be split in the high-resolution optical spectra of the post-AGB star V354 Lac taken in 2007–2008 with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Main parameters, T _eff =5650 K, log g=0.2, ξ _t =5.0 km/s, and the abundances of 22 chemical elements in the star’s atmosphere are found. The overabundance of the s-process chemical elements (Ba, La, Ce, Nd) in the star’s atmosphere is partly due to the splitting of strong lines of the ions of thesemetals. The peculiarities of the spectrum in the wavelength interval containing the LiI λ 6707 Å line can be naturally explained only by taking the overabundances of the CeII and SmII heavy-metal ions into account. The best agreement with the synthetic spectrum is achieved assuming ?(LiI)=2.0, ?(CeII)=3.2, and ?(SmII)=2.7. The velocity field both in the atmosphere and in the circumstellar envelope of V354 Lac remained stationary throughout the last 15 years of our observations.     

Response of Earth's atmosphere to increases in solar flux and implications for loss of water from Venus

A one-dimensional radiative-convective model is used to compute temperature and water vapor profiles as functions of solar flux for an Earth-like atmosphere. The troposphere is assumed to be fully saturated, with a moist adiabatic lapse rate, and changes in cloudiness are neglected. Predicted surface temperatures increase monotonically from ?1 to 111°C as the solar flux increased from 0.81 to 1.45 times its present value. Surface temperatures corresponding to high solar fluxes may be underestimated, however, owing to neglect of H₂O continuum absorption outside of the 8- to 12-μm window region. These results imply that the surface temperature of a primitive water-rich Venus should have been at least 80–100°C and may have been much higher. The existence of liquid water at the surface depends on poorly known aspects of H₂O continuum absorption and on uncertainties concerning relative humidity and cloudiness. In any case, water vapor should have been a major atmospheric constituent at all altitudes, leading to the rapid hydrodynamic escape of hydrogen. The oxygen left behind by this process was presumably consumed by reactions with reduced minerals in the crust. Both the loss of oxygen and the presently observed enrichment of the deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio are most easily explained if oceans of liquid water were initially present.     

Some aspects of mid-latitude spread-Es, and its relationship with spread-F

After discussing some examples of mid-latitude spread-E_s this paper presents distributions showing the diurnal, annual and sunspot-cycle variations of this phenomenon. The variations are very similar to those found for mid-latitude spread-F. Also, a superposed-epoch analysis involving an investigation of spread-F occurrence relative to controls consisting of nights of high spread-E_s occurrence showed a relationship of high significance. A similar analysis using spread-F occurrence relative to daytime spread-E_s controls also suggested a relationship between these parameters. The results presented in this paper together with results from previous work suggest strongly that the two phenomena (spread-E_s and spread-F) are produced by the same or similar disturbances. Also it seems likely that the disturbances responsible for spread-F during night hours are also present during daylight hours.     

On the peak level of tearing instability in an ion-scale current sheet: The effects of ion temperature anisotropy

We have systematically surveyed the effects of the ion temperature anisotropy on the peak reconnected flux level of the tearing instability excited in a thick current sheet (its half-thickness D equal to the ion inertial length). A series of two- and three-dimensional (2-D and 3-D) simulations have been performed for a magnetotail-like situation, where the ion perpendicular temperature is fixed to balance the magnetic pressure of the lobe while the ion parallel temperature can be varied to give rise to the temperature anisotropy α_i=T_i,perp/T_i,para. Focusing on the behavior of the fastest growing mode (wavelength λ=12D), the results are summarized as follows: (1) The peak levels are larger when the initial α_i is larger and lobe reconnection is obtained only when α_i>1.5. (2) 3-D effects do speed-up the reconnection process but do not change the peak level substantially. (3) The time-scale of gas pressure build-up at the center of magnetic islands relative to the time-scale of reconnected flux growth is identified to be the key issue in determining the peak level. Based on these results for the fastest growing mode with λ=12D, discussion is given on the larger-scale development, that is, what happens when longer wavelength modes are allowed to develop.     

Altitude profile of H in the atmosphere of Venus from Lyman α observations of Venera 11 and Venera 12 and origin of the hot exospheric component

Two extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrophotometers flown in December 1978 on Venera 11 and Venera 12 measured the hydrogen Lyman α emission resonantly scattered in the atmosphere of Venus. Measurements were obtained across the dayside of the disk, and in the exosphere up to 50,000 km. They were analyzed with spherically symmetric models for which the radiative transfer equation was solved. The H content of the Venus atmosphere varies from optically thin to moderately thick regions. A shape fit at the bright limb allows one to determine the exospheric temperature T_c and the number density n_c independently of the calibration of the instrument or the exact value of the solar flux. The dayside exospheric temperature was measured for the first time in the polar regions, with T_c = 300 ± 25°K for Venera 11 (79°S) and T_c = 275 ± 25°K (59°S) for Venera 12. At the same place, the density is n_c = 4_?2⁺³ × 10⁴ atom.cm^?3, and the integrated number density N_t from 250 to 110 km (the level of CO₂ absorption) is 2.1 × 10¹² atom.cm^?2, a factor of 3 to 6 lower than that predicted in aeronomical models. This probably indicates that the models should be revised in the content of H-bearing molecules and should include the effect of dynamics. Across the disk the value of N_t decreases smoothly with a total variation of two from the morning side to the afternoon side. Alternately it could be a latitude effect, with less hydrogen in the polar regions. The nonthermal component if clearly seen up to 40,000 km of altitude. It is twice as abundant as at the time of Mariner 10 (solar minimum). Its radial distribution above 4000 km can be simulated by an exospheric distribution with T = 10³⁰K and n = 10³ atom.cm^?3 at the exobase level. However, there are less hot atoms between 2000 and 4000 km than predicted by an ionospheric source. A by-product of the analysis is a determination of a very high solar Lyman α flux of 7.6 × 10¹¹ photons (cm² sec Å)^?1 at line center (1 AU) in December 1978.