Thomson scattering in a thick layer

The equations for the transfer of light through a thick layer are studied with the aid of a computer in the presence of Thomson scattering and Compton effect. The red-shifts, top intensities and red asymmetry of Gaussian-shaped spectral lines are tabulated against the optical thickness and the normalized width. It is shown that the equivalent width of the lines is conserved in the transfer and that also the central intensity is conserved for wide enough lines. Two astrophysical applications of the resulting equations are proposed: to the spectra of white dwarfs, and to the spectra of Orion Nebula; the need of further measurements is pointed out.     

The strength and width of Fe Kα lines in Seyferts and their correlations with the X-ray slope

We study properties of Fe K lines of a large sample of Seyfert 1s observed by ASCA . Fits with power laws and Gaussian lines yield the average linewidth and equivalent width of 0.22±0.03 keV and 0.13±0.01 keV, respectively. Thus, the typical lines are weak and narrow. We then obtain the average line profile of all our spectra, and find it to consist of a narrow core and blue and red wings, with the red wing being much weaker than that of e.g. MCG −6-30-15. We obtain three average spectra of Seyferts grouped according to the hardness, and find the equivalent width of the core (originating in a remote medium) to be ≃50 eV in all three cases. The wings are well fitted by a broad line from a disc with strong relativistic effects. Its equivalent width correlates with the slope, increasing from ∼70 eV for the hardest spectrum to ∼120 eV for the softest one. The inner disc radius decreases correspondingly from ∼40 to ∼10 gravitational radii, and the fitted disc inclination is ∼45°. The obtained correlation between the slope and the strength of the broad Fe K line is found to be consistent with the previously found correlation of the slope and Compton reflection.     

Spectral observations of impact dark spots

We carried out a spectral observation of traces of the comet impacts within the wavelength region between 440 and 830 nm. Three dark spots of fragments K, E, and G impact sites were investigated. The spectrum of these dark spots shows no special emission or absorption lines in this observation. The global spectral feature resembles that of Jovian zone cloud rather than that of the belt. While the continuum reflectivity of the dark spots of K and E sites is less than 0.42 at 600 nm, that of the G site is 0.33. These values should be interpreted as an upper limits because of the influence of atmospheric seeing. The equivalent width of the absorption lines at the K sites is also derived. Both the continuum reflectivity and the equivalent width of the dark spots are smaller than those of any Jovian zonal cloud. This indicates that the dark spots are low-albedo cloud formed at the upper atmosphere.     

The integrated optical spectrum of the Crab nebula and evidence for its fading synchrotron continuum

A flux-calibrated optical spectrum integrated over the entire Crab nebula was obtained by making drift scans with a long-slit spectrograph. Compared to observations obtained over the past 40 years, these new data confirm an earlier controversial result that the [O iii ]  λλ4959, 5007  equivalent width is increasing with time, although the rate of ∼0.9 per cent yr⁻¹ is somewhat slower than that measured previously. Additionally, the Hβ equivalent width is increasing at a comparable rate, but the measured fluxes of both Hβ and [O  iii ] have changed less than their respective equivalent widths. The different rates of change in the measured fluxes and equivalent widths of these lines suggest that the optical synchrotron continuum from the Crab nebula is indeed fading rapidly. The apparent decline is consistent with a rate around  −0.5 (±0.2)  per cent yr⁻¹ at wavelengths near 5000  Å inferred independently from measurements of the optical continuum flux during the same time period.     

A possible presence of HeH+ in white dwarfs

The equivalent width calculations for the fundamental vibration rotation band lines of HeH⁺ have been carried out for a non-DA white dwarf model with an effective temperature of 12 000 K. BothP andR branch lines with rotational quantum numbersJ=3 to 18 were included in the calculations. A search for these lines in helium rich white dwarfs is suggested.     

Absorption line studies of reflection from horizontally inhomogeneous layers

A discussion of literature relevant to horizontal inhomogeneities in planetary atmospheres shows this to be an increasingly important yet largely unexplored topic. Section II details an inhomogeneous reflecting layer (IRFL) model designed to survey absorption line behavior from a Squires-like cloud cover (which is characterized by convection cell structure). Computational problems and procedures are discussed in detail, with results presented for center to limb equivalent width variations at phase angles α = 0° and 90°, followed by equivalent width variations as a function of phase angle for specific points across the planetary equator. We examine a range of cloud and gas configurations, of line and continuum opacities, and we compare phase variations of bright versus dark limbs.The results in general show trends quite dissimilar to (usually opposite) those predicted by a simple reflecting layer model. Percent equivalent width variations for the tower model are usually somewhat greater for weak than for relatively strong absorption lines, with differences of a factor of about two or three. Also, IRFL equivalent width variations do not differ drastically as a function of geometry when the total volume of absorbing gas is held constant. The IRFL results are in many instances consistent with observed equivalent width variations of Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. Thus, consideration of horizontal inhomogeneities evidently worsens current uniqueness problems. Future more detailed observations will ameliorate this impass if, it is argued, interpretive studies encompass the complexities of realistic horizontal cloud structure.     

Secular and orbital variability of Cir X-1 observed in optical spectra

We have observed variations in the optical emission lines from the X-ray binary Circinus X-1. These variations may be attributed both to orbital variations and to long term secular changes in line strength. We have detected double-peaked H α emission lines on two occasions, providing the first direct evidence for an accretion disc in the system. The separation of the peaks was different on the two occasions, suggesting that the disc might have a different size. The equivalent width of the emission lines dropped by more than a factor of three between 1999 and 2000; this continues the trend seen in earlier data, so that the H α equivalent width has now declined by a factor of 20 since 1976. The emission lines do not appear to show signature of orbital motion, except for the data taken near phase 0, which show a significant velocity shift.
We have observed an absorption component to the He  i lines on one occasion. We suggest that, unlike the P Cygni profiles seen in X-ray spectra, this absorption does not arise in the accelerating zone of a radiatively driven wind. Instead, the absorption arises in material previously ejected from the system. It was only seen on this one occasion because the strength of the emission line had dropped dramatically.     

The Hβ and Hγ lines in the spectrum of V1057 Cyg

We present the equivalent widths of the Hβ and Hγ absorption lines in the spectrum of V1057 Cyg measured from 1978–1990 spectrograms. The mean equivalent widths of these lines decreased approximately twofold during 1978–1985 and somewhat increased during 1987–1990. Using published UBV photometry, we show that there has been a correlation between the Hβ equivalent width and the ?U-B? color since 1983, with ?W _λ(Hβ)? increasing with decreasing?U-B? Based on our spectroscopic and photometric observations in 1978–1990, we assume that V1057 Cyg has passed to a qualitatively new stage of its development after 1985.     

Time-variability analysis of the Hα, He i and Na i D lines in the T Tauri star LkHα 264

We present a time-series analysis of quasi-simultaneous high-resolution profiles of the Hα, He i (λ5876 Å) and Na i D lines for the highly active T Tauri star LkHα 264.
Our data include repeated observations on time-scales ranging from approximately 1 d down to less than 1 h, at two different epochs. For the three lines we have analysed the time variability of the equivalent width and of the profile, using in this case both the normalized variance and correlation matrix analysis.
The behaviours of the equivalent widths of the He i and Na i lines on time-scales of the order of 1 d were found to correlate well. The correlation is more conspicuous when the level of variability of the lines is more dramatic. We conclude that there is a common region of formation for these lines, very close to the star. However, the Hα equivalent width follows such behaviour only when the He i and Na i D lines are less variable.
In terms of profile variations, He i and Na i differ from Hα. The He i and Na i D variations occur coherently over the entire profile, independently of the time-scales, although there are indications that such behaviour may break down for time-scales shorter than ≈20 min. In contrast, the variability of Hα occurs mainly on the blue side of the line. Variations on short time-scales seem to be associated with a secondary blue emission peak. Variations on time-scales of 1 d are linked to two weak blueshifted absorptions. These absorptions occur in an outer region and their behaviour can be understood in terms of an optical depth effect.
We conclude that the Hα line is formed in two distinct regions. The inner region, which is not too distinct from the one producing the He i and Na i D lines, is highly sensitive to the level of activity. The outer and more extended region dominates the contribution to the flux in Hα when the general level of stellar activity is high.     

Observations of the infrared FeXIII lines in the solar corona of 12 November, 1966

The purpose of this paper is to report on some intensity measurements of the Fe xiii lines at 10 747 Å and 10 798 Å made during the total eclipse of 12 November, 1966. Infrared spectra were taken of the solar corona at a dispersion of 90 Å per mm, using an RCA image converter and spectrograph aboard the NASA CV 990 aircraft off the coast of southern Brazil. The spectra have been reduced to equivalent width in terms of the coronal continuum and values derived for different points in the corona.The observed equivalent widths of the lines lie in the range 10 to 30 Å for the 10 747 line and 5 to 12 Å for the 10 798 line. The ratio of these equivalent widths is found to vary from 2.3 in the inner corona to 6 at a point 1.36 solar radii from the center of the Sun.The above results are discussed in terms of the excitation mechanisms involved in producing the lines. In particular, the results are compared with the recent theoretical calculations of Chevalier and Lambert, who are the first to include the effects of proton collisions in the excitation of the 3p ^{2 3} P levels of Fexiii. Our observations are consistent with an electron density of 4 × 10⁸ in the inner corona; a value which compares favorably with those derived by other observers from the strength of the K continuum. These are, to our knowledge, the first eclipse observations of the infrared Fe xiii lines which indicate that proton collisions are important in the excitation of the coronal lines. The coronal abundance of iron is estimated from the equivalent width of the 10 747 line, and in common with other observers we find an overabundance as compared to the photospheric abundance by a factor of 10.     

Five-minute oscillations of solar equivalent widths

Equivalent widths of weak and moderately strong Fraunhofer lines observed in an area roughly 3500 × 10000 km in extent are found to show small variations of the order of 1 mÅ, on a time scale of minutes. The dependence of amplitude on line strength and excitation closely fits that predicted for a compressional disturbance associated with temperature variations that manifest themselves in the equivalent widths. The rms amplitude is about 20K near τ₅₀₀₀ = 10^-2. These equivalent width variations frequently exhibit a 5-min periodicity and are accompanied by prominent oscillations of velocity. Power spectra of both quantities closely resemble each other and demonstrate that most of the equivalent width variations in the range 200 to 500 s are due to the thermal response of the atmosphere to 5-min oscillations. A systematic phase lag between velocity and equivalent width is observed, in the sense that temperature leads velocity by an average angle of 120°. This deviates significantly from 90° valid for standing adiabatic waves, showing that in the line-forming layers, τ₅₀₀₀ ≈ 10^-2, the 5-min oscillations are markedly affected by radiative exchange. The observed phase lag implies a radiative decay time of ≈40 s, a value which agrees with modelatmosphere predictions for the line-forming layers. Since the observed wave trains frequently show constant amplitude over a much longer time, a continuous feed-back of energy seems to occur.     

Formation of spectral lines in planetary atmosphere IV. Theoretical evidence for structure of the jovian clouds from spectroscopic observations of methane and hydrogen quadrupole lines

The theory of formation of pressure-broadened methane lines and collision-narrowed hydrogen quadrupole lines in a Jovian atmosphere is studied in detail for a physically realistic model of the planet's lower atmosphere. Only observations of the center-to-limb (CTL) variations of the equivalent width of absorption lines for both of these molecules can identify the structure of the visible cloud layers. Observations of the CTL variation of methane and hydrogen quadrupole lines are the most suitable for studying the Jovian atmosphere. The CTL variations for hydrogen are much greater and more sensitive to variations of the properties of the thin upper tropospheric cloud layer than the corresponding observations of methane lines. A detailed comparison of hydrogen quadrupole with methane lines is made for the same continuum conditions, enabling us to develop a detailed understanding of the formation of the collision-narrowed hydrogen quadrupole lines in a Jovian atmosphere.     

An XMM-Newton observation of the extreme narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 359

We present XMM-Newton observations of Mrk 359, the first narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) discovered. Even among NLS1s, Mrk 359 is an extreme case with extraordinarily narrow optical emission lines. The XMM-Newton data show that Mrk 359 has a significant soft X-ray excess which displays only weak absorption and emission features. The     continuum, including reflection, is flatter than that of the typical NLS1, with     . A strong emission line of equivalent width ≈200 eV is also observed, centred near 6.4 keV. We fit this emission with two line components of approximately equal strength: a broad iron line from an accretion disc and a narrow, unresolved core. The unresolved line core has an equivalent width of ≈120 eV and is consistent with fluorescence from neutral iron in distant reprocessing gas, possibly in the form of a 'molecular torus'. Comparison of the narrow-line strengths in Mrk 359 and other low–moderate luminosity Seyfert 1 galaxies with those in QSOs suggests that the solid angle subtended by the distant reprocessing gas decreases with increasing active galactic nucleus luminosity.     

X-ray beaming caused by resonance scattering in the accretion column of magnetic cataclysmic variables

Extremely strong ionized Fe emission lines, with equivalent widths reaching ∼4000 eV, were discovered by ASCA from a few Galactic compact objects, including AX J2315−0592, RX J1802.1+1804 and AX J1842.8−0423. These objects are thought to be binary systems containing magnetized white dwarfs (WDs). A possible interpretation of the strong Fe K line is the line-photon collimation in the WD accretion column, as a result of resonance scattering of line photons. The collimation occurs when the accretion column has a flat shape, and the effect is augmented by the vertical velocity gradient, which reduces the resonant trapping of resonant photons along the magnetic field lines. This effect was quantitatively confirmed with Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, with ASCA observations of the polar V834 Centauri, this collimation effect was clearly detected as a rotational modulation of the equivalent width of the Fe K emission line. The extremely strong emission lines mentioned above can be explained consistently by our interpretation. Combining this effect with other X-ray information, the geometry and plasma parameters in the accretion column were determined.     

Chromospheres of flare stars

The present paper contains an attempt to formulate a theory, based on fast electrons hypothesis, of the chromospheres of flare stars. At the same time we shall undertake a survey of observations on the emission lines of flare stars and comparisons with the theory. The general discussion in the introduction concerning the civilian right of fast electron hypothesis is followed by sections in which the following problems are tackled: the anatomy of the light curve of the flare in UV Cet-type stars or its division into two components; the sources of radiation, ionizing hydrogen and other elements, and the estimation of their power in cold dwarf stars with emission lines; conditions for the excitation of emission lines in the chromospheres of those stars; the problem of duration of luminescence of flare stars in the emission lines (observations and theory); the electron temperature and electron concentration in the chromospheres of flare stars; the problem of the luminescence of emission lines in the quiescent star; the degree of ionization and the role of inelastic collisions of the electrons in the chromosphere of flare stars; the profiles of emission lines, their broadening and intensification during the flare; the dependence of the infensity of emission lines on the flare amplitude; the nature and peculiarities of two types of the Haro flares; the impact of radiation dilution and the spectral class of the star on the equivalent width of the emission lines; the possibility of exciting the forbidden lines; the problem of generation of the emission lines of neutral and ionized helium; the possibility of the Lyman-alpha emission in flare stars, the expected parameters of such emission — the radiation power, the equivalent width and profile of the Lyman-alpha line; the possibility of the presence of the strongest (after the -line) emission line — of doublet 2800 Mgii in the spectra of flare stars, the expected value of the intensity and equivalent width of that line.     

Reflection effect in close binaries: effects of reflection on spectral lines

Reflection effect phenomenon is studied on the formation of spectral lines in a close binary system when primary component has an extended atmosphere and the secondary component is a point source. Irradiation effect is calculated using one dimensional rod model and self radiation is calculated using continuum radiative transfer equation in spherically symmetric atmosphere. The total radiation is the sum of the radiation of the individual components and the mutually reflected light. Line profiles are also computed along the line of sight observer at infinity for irradiation, self radiation and total radiation and compared in order to study the reflection effect on spectral lines. It is found that the radiation field varies on the primary component when angle of incidence changes from the secondary component. The contour maps show that the radiative interaction makes the outer surface of the primary star warm when its companion illuminates the radiation. The effect of reflection on spectral lines is studied and noticed that the flux in the lines increases at all frequency points and the cores of the lines received more flux than the wings and equivalent width changes accordingly.     

Short time-scale variations of Epsilon Aurigae in the H-alpha region

During the total eclipse of ε Aur, 18 spectra in the Hα region were taken in rapid succession on 1983 March 9, and 6 spectra on March 10, with the Reticon at the Coudé focus of the McDonald Observatory 2-metre telescope. The data were processed and plotted by computer. Variations on short time-scales were observed in the radial velocities of the metallic lines and Hα. The radial velocities of individual metallic lines are between 3 and 16 km/s more negative than calculated from the orbital elements. The Hα has 3 emission features with equivalent widths 300 mÅ, 54 mÅ and 1 mÅ and 1 absorption feature with an equivalent width of 1800 mÅ. The profile and the equivalent widths changed only slightly while substantial variations occurred on the blue side of the two stronger emission features. The radial velocities of the emission features are about ?60, +12 and +57 km/s; that of the absorption component is +20 km/s. The radial velocity of the strongest emission feature also varies, but by much smaller amounts than the metallic lines and the variation appears to be periodic. A model in which the secondary is a B-star surrounded by hot, active clouds is proposed.     

Remarks on statistical errors in equivalent widths

Equivalent width measurements for rapid line variability in atomic spectral lines are degraded by increasing error bars with shorter exposure times.We derive an expression for the error of the line equivalent width σ (W _λ ) with respect to pure photon noise statistics and provide a correction value for previous calculations. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

引力透镜类星体SDSS J1001+5027吸收线证认

基于斯隆数字化巡天(Sloan Digital Sky Survey,SDSS)第12期数据(data release 12,DR12)的光谱,分析引力透镜类星体SDSS J1001+5027的A, B两个像的光谱。两个像光谱的红移分别为1.84132±0.00024和1.84545±0.00012,透镜天体红移约为0.415。通过证认可靠的CⅣλλ1548, 1551或Mg Ⅱλλ2796, 2803窄吸收双线的方法,证认出A, B两个像的光谱中红移分别为1.60677±0.00012, 0.87140±0.00007和0.41455±0.00006的3个吸收系统。从3个吸收系统共证认出27条窄吸收线。测量27条窄吸收线的等值宽度,再通过分析、比较3个吸收系统在A, B两个像光谱中吸收线的数量及等值宽度的差异,给出了3个吸收系统在引力透镜类星体SDSS J1001+5027视线方向可能的分布示意图。