An Estimate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>-Mode Damping by Wave Leakage

High-cadence TRACE observations show that outward-propagating intensity disturbances are a common feature in large, quiescent coronal loops. Analysis of the frequency distribution of these modes shows peaks at both three- and five-minute periods, indicating that they may be driven by the solar surface oscillations (p modes). The energy flux contained within the coronal intensity disturbances is of the order of (1.1±0.4)×10³ ergs cm⁻² s⁻¹. A simple order-of-magnitude estimate of the damping rate of the relevant p modes allows us to put an observational constraint on the damping of p modes and shows that leakage into the overlying coronal atmosphere might be able to account for a significant fraction of p-mode damping.     

Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy of Photospheric Shear Flows in a Small <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis> Spot

In recent high-resolution observations of complex active regions, long-lasting and well-defined regions of strong flows were identified in major flares and associated with bright kernels of visible, near-infrared, and X-ray radiation. These flows, which occurred in the proximity of the magnetic neutral line, significantly contributed to the generation of magnetic shear. Signatures of these shear flows are strongly curved penumbral filaments, which are almost tangential to sunspot umbrae rather than exhibiting the typical radial filamentary structure. Solar active region NOAA 10756 was a moderately complex β δ sunspot group, which provided an opportunity to extend previous studies of such shear flows to quieter settings. We conclude that shear flows are a common phenomenon in complex active regions and δ spots. However, they are not necessarily a prerequisite condition for flaring. Indeed, in the present observations, the photospheric shear flows along the magnetic neutral line are not related to any change of the local magnetic shear. We present high-resolution observations of NOAA 10756 obtained with the 65-cm vacuum reflector at Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). Time series of speckle-reconstructed white-light images and two-dimensional spectroscopic data were combined to study the temporal evolution of the three-dimensional vector flow field in the β δ sunspot group. An hour-long data set of consistent high quality was obtained, which had a cadence of better than 30 seconds and subarcsecond spatial resolution.     

Effects of Dispersion of Wave Packets in the Determination of Lifetimes of High-Degree Solar <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis> Modes from Time – Distance Analysis: MDI Data

The cross-correlation function of solar p modes in a time – distance analysis changes with travel distance (or travel time). The exponential decrease in the amplitude of the cross-correlation function with travel distance has been interpreted as the dissipation of solar p-mode power and used to determine the lifetimes of high-degree p modes. It is found that the width of the cross-correlation function increases with travel distance. We interpret the increase in width as the dispersion of the wave packet in a time – distance analysis. The dispersion would also cause a decrease in amplitude and affect the determination of lifetimes. We include the dispersion effect in the determination of lifetimes of high-degree p modes in a time – distance analysis and find that the derived lifetime increases significantly compared with the previous study for degree less than 400.     

Gravitational Radiation of Relativistic <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1 Polytropes

The gravitational radiation of n = 1 polytropes undergoing quasiradial pulsations is examined. The intensity of the gravitational radiation and the gravitational wave amplitudes are calculated for polytropic models of white dwarfs and neutron stars when the energy of rotation of the object serves as the source of the radiated energy. Calculations of h₀ show that objects with a polytropic equation of state can describe the expected gravitational radiation from white dwarfs and neutron stars. The gravitational radiation of polytropic models of galactic nuclei and quasars is also examined. These objects can create a high enough background of gravitational radiation at frequencies of 10^-8–10^-11 Hz for gravitational wave detectors operating in this frequency range. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 603–612 (November 2005).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-observations and radar orbits

Initial asteriod orbits are determined by a least squares adjustment of an arbitrary number (N) of optical and radar observations. The usual separation, into an orbit determination by three observations and a subsequent differential orbit improvement, is combined into a single algorithm. A priori information is used for very small arcs. Ephemerides very suitable for linking are obtained by strictly linear computations.     

GMRT and VLA observations at 49 cm and 20 cm of the HII region near <Emphasis Type="Italic">l</Emphasis> = 24.8°, <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis> = 0.1°

We report multi-frequency radio continuum and hydrogen radio recombination line observations of HII regions near l = 24.8°, b = 0.1° using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 1.28 GHz (n = 172), 0.61 GHz (n = 220) and the Very Large Array (VLA) at 1.42 GHz (n = 166). The region consists of a large number of resolved HII regions and a few compact HII regions as seen in our continuum maps, many of which have associated infrared (IR) point sources. The largest HII region at l = 24.83° and b = 0.1° is a few arcmins in size and has a shell-type morphology. It is a massive HII region enclosing ∼550 M_⊙ with a linear size of 7 pc and an rms electron density of ∼110 cm⁻³ at a kinematic distance of 6 kpc. The required ionization can be provided by a single star of spectral type O5.5. We also report detection of hydrogen recombination lines from the HII region at l = 24.83° and b = 0.1° at all observed frequencies near V _lsr = 100 km s⁻¹. We model the observed integrated line flux density as arising in the diffuse HII region and find that the best fitting model has an electron density comparable to that derived from the continuum. We also report detection of hydrogen recombination lines from two other HII regions in the field.     

Effective temperature of the star <Emphasis Type="Italic">ϑ</Emphasis>1 Ori C

We analyze the calibrations (the dependence of the spectral type of a star on its effective temperature) by comparing the calculated ionization structure of an H II region with that obtained from observations for the source Orion A in radio recombination H and He lines. The effective temperature of the star ?1 Ori C (the ionization source) is most likely ≈37 000 K.     

The influence of a finite conductivity on the spectrum of solar <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-modes

We consider the influence of a finite conductivity on the spectrum of solar p-modes (by taking into account their absorption at cusp resonance levels) in a plane two-layer model that consists of an upper isothermal layer with a uniform horizontal magnetic field and a lower adiabatic layer with a linear increase in temperature with depth. We show that an allowance for the finite, but high conductivity of the medium is required only to calculate the eigenfrequencies of the p-modes for which the resonance levels are located almost at the interface between the layers.     

On transition region convection cells in simulations of p‐mode propagation into the solar atmosphere

This paper examines the way that transition region surface waves, generated in 2‐D numerical simulations of the nonmagnetic solar atmosphere when various synthetic photospheric drivers are applied, drive the granulation of the transition region/lower coronal region into convection cells. It is shown that these cells are generated by both synthetic point drivers and synthetic horizontally coherent p‐mode drivers. These cells cause the conversion of driven signals in vertical velocity into coronal signals predominantly in horizontal velocity, which if carried over to a case with a magnetic field included could cause mode conversion. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Acoustic Events in the Solar Atmosphere from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hinode</Emphasis>/SOT NFI Observations

We investigate the properties of acoustic events (AEs), defined as spatially concentrated and short duration energy flux, in the quiet Sun, using observations of a 2D field of view (FOV) with high spatial and temporal resolution provided by the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) onboard Hinode. Line profiles of Fe i 557.6 nm were recorded by the Narrow-band Filter Imager (NFI) on a 82″×82″ FOV during 75 min with a time step of 28.75 s and 0.08″ pixel size. Vertical velocities were computed at three atmospheric levels (80, 130, and 180 km) using the bisector technique, allowing the determination of energy flux to be made in the range 3 – 10 mHz using two complementary methods (Hilbert transform and Fourier power spectrum). Horizontal velocities were computed using local correlation tracking (LCT) of continuum intensities providing divergences. We found that the net energy flux is upward. In the range 3 – 10 mHz, a full FOV space and time averaged flux of 2700 W m⁻² (lower layer 80 – 130 km) and 2000 W m⁻² (upper layer 130 – 180 km) is concentrated in less than 1 % of the solar surface in the form of narrow (0.3″) AE. Their total duration (including rise and decay) is of the order of 10³ s. Inside each AE, the mean flux is 1.6×10⁵ W m⁻² (lower layer) and 1.2×10⁵ W m⁻² (upper). Each event carries an average energy (flux integrated over space and time) of 2.5×10¹⁹ J (lower layer) to 1.9×10¹⁹ J (upper). More than 10⁶ events could exist permanently on the Sun, with a birth and decay rate of 3500 s⁻¹. Most events occur in intergranular lanes, downward velocity regions, and areas of converging motions.     

Erratum: Comprehensive studies of solar activity on the CORONAS-F satellite [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Astronomy letters</Emphasis> 28, 401–410 (2002)]

The first results of comprehensive CORONAS-F observations of solar activity are presented. The CORONAS-F instrumentation and principal scientific objectives are briefly described and examples of the first results of data reduction are given. This article was republished due to two color figures (nos. 4 and 5) missed in the original translation. Our apologies to the authors and the readers of the journal. The online version of the original article can be found at     

Tracking UVCS/SOHO Responsivity with Observations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ζ</Emphasis> Tau

We have tracked the spectral responsivity of the ultraviolet channels of the UVCS (Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer) instrument on SOHO by repeated observations of a stable hot star. We demonstrate first that the ultraviolet spectral irradiance of the Be star ζ Tau (HD 37202) for the 100- to 125-nm wavelength range has been sufficiently constant for our purposes when measured periodically over the course of the SOHO mission. We then use ζ Tau as a radiometric transfer standard to determine an average decrease beginning in November of 1998 of 13.0% per year in the responsivity of the UVCS O vi channel for wavelengths near H i Ly α and for a particular UVCS unvignetted aperture used for science observations. The calibration tracking method involves separating two ζ Tau spectral regions that are overlapped on part of the detector. The change in the responsivity of UVCS/SOHO began in late 1998 as determined by comparison of simultaneous observations of the corona carried out with UVCS/SOHO and the freshly-calibrated UVCS instrument on the Spartan 201 satellite in early November of 1998. B. Valcu now at BrainLAB, Inc, 3 Westbrook Corporate Ctr., Tower 3, Suite 400, Westchester, IL 60154, USA, e-mail: bogdan.valcu@brainlab.com or Bogdan_valcu@hotmail.com     

Mode Conversion of Solar <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Modes in Non-Vertical Magnetic Fields

Sunspots absorb and scatter incident f- and p-modes. Until recently, the responsible absorption mechanism was uncertain. The most promising explanation appears to be mode conversion to slow magnetoacoustic-gravity waves, which carry energy down the magnetic field lines into the interior. In vertical magnetic field, mode conversion can adequately explain the observed f-mode absorption, but is too inefficient to account for the absorption of p-modes. In the first paper of the present series we calculated the efficiency of fast-to-slow magnetoacoustic-gravity wave conversion in uniform non-vertical magnetic fields. We assumed two-dimensional propagation, where the Alfvén waves decouple. In comparison to vertical field, it was found that mode conversion is significantly enhanced in moderately inclined fields, especially at higher frequencies. Using those results, Cally, Crouch, and Braun showed that the resultant p-mode absorption produced by simple sunspot models with non-vertical magnetic fields is ample to explain the observations. In this paper, we further examine mode conversion in non-vertical magnetic fields. In particular, we consider three-dimensional propagation, where the fast and slow magnetoacoustic-gravity waves and the Alfvén waves are coupled. Broadly speaking, the p-mode damping rates are not substantially different to the two-dimensional case. However, we do find that the Alfvén waves can remove similar quantities of energy to the slow MAG waves.     

The Lambert <Emphasis Type="Italic">W</Emphasis> function and solutions to Kepler’s equation

This paper presents a method for the truncation of infinite Fourier–Bessel representations for functions requiring a solution to Kepler’s equation. Use is made of the Lambert W function to solve for the desired index that bounds the remainder terms of the series, within the prescribed tolerance. The enforcement of a maximum on the number of Bessel functions is also useful in truncating the Bessel functions themselves, resulting in an analytical representation of the solution to a desired tolerance, without the use of infinite series.     

Dynamics of Sunspot Light Bridges as Revealed by High-Resolution Images from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hinode</Emphasis>

We present G-band and Ca ii H filtergrams of two sunspot light bridges in NOAA AR 10953 taken from the 50-cm Solar Optical Telescope onboard the Japanese space satellite Hinode on 1 May 2007. The two light bridges differ in structure, with one of them resembling the filamentary penumbra and the other possessing a dark central lane running along the axis of the bridge having a width of 170 km, which is close to the diffraction limit of the telescope. Velocity measurements of the light bridges using proper motion displacements of inhomogeneities, averaged over the entire time series, show a nonuniform flow with velocities peaking at 250 and 180 m s⁻¹ for the two bridges, respectively. We report observations of an archlike structure over one of the light bridges in the Ca images. Brightness enhancements are seen traveling along this arch as well as along the light bridge. Observations suggest that these enhancements over light bridges could possibly be a signature of lower chromospheric heating.     

Homographic solutions in the planar <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> + 1 body problem with quasi-homogeneous potentials

We prove that for generalized forces which are function of the mutual distance, the ring n + 1 configuration is a central configuration. Besides, we show that it is a homographic solution. We apply the above results to quasi-homogeneous potentials.     

A New Analysis of the Spectra Obtained by the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Venera</Emphasis> Missions in the Venusian Atmosphere. I. The Analysis of the Data Received from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Venera-11</Emphasis> Probe at Altitudes Below 37 km in the 0.44–0.66 µm Wavelength Range

The processes of the solar radiation extinction in deep layers of the Venus atmosphere in a wavelength range from 0.44 to 0.66 µm have been considered. The spectra of the solar radiation scattered in the atmosphere of Venus at various altitudes above the planetary surface measured by the Venera-11 entry probe in December 1978 are used as observational data. The problem of the data analysis is solved by selecting an atmospheric model; the discrete-ordinate method is applied in calculations. For the altitude interval from 2–10 km to 36 km, the altitude and spectral dependencies of the volume coefficient of true absorption have been obtained. At altitudes of 3–19 km, the spectral dependence is close to the wavelength dependence of the absorption cross section of S₃ molecules, whence it follows that the mixing ratio of this sulfur allotrope increases with altitude from 0.03 to 0.1 ppbv.__________Translated from Astronomicheskii Vestnik, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2005, pp. 304–320.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Maiorov, Ignat’ev, Moroz, Zasova, Moshkin, Khatuntsev, Ekonomov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">BVRI</Emphasis> CCD-photometry of comparison stars in the neighborhoods of galaxies with active nuclei. III

Observations with a matrix photometer are reported. The stellar magnitudes in the BVRcIc bands are estimated for 80 comparison stars in the neighborhoods of 10 galaxies with active nuclei: 2 Seyfert galaxies, 4 quasars, and 4 BL Lac objects. The stellar magnitudes of the observed stars range from 11 to 19^m.5. For stars with magnitudes of 14–15^m the typical photometric errors are 0^m.011, 0^m.008, 0^m.006, and 0^m.007 in the B, V, R, and I bands, respectively. The BVRI magnitudes for most of these stars were not known previously. 14′ × 14′ finding charts for these stars are included. These results can be used for differential BVRI photometry of active galactic nuclei. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 1, pp. 57–72 (February 2007).     

A method of symplectic integrations with adaptive time-steps for individual Hamiltonians in the planetary <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-body problem

A new algorithm is developed for long-term integrations of the N-body problem. The method uses symplectic integrations of the Hamiltonian equations of motion for each body. This allows one to employ individual adaptive time-steps in computations. The efficiency of this technique is demonstrated by several tests performed for typical problems of Solar System dynamics.