The interpretation of velocity filtergrams

The paper describes a numerical experiment in which the effect of an assumed velocity distribution in the solar atmosphere on the intensity difference between a blue- and a red-wing filter-gram is derived. This results in the effective optical depth at which the velocity is measured. It is shown that this _eff strongly depends on the assumed velocity distribution.     

Studies of K line filtergrams

High resolution filtergrams made with a 0.3 Å K line filter at Big Bear are discussed. The dark K3 clouds noted in spectra by Bappu and Sivaraman (1971) are confirmed; they cover about 1/3 of the inside of supergranule cells, and oscillate (mainly horizontally) with 3–4 min period. Their vertical extent of about 3000 km produces a sharp broadening of K3 at the extreme limb and obscuration of bright features. Spicules also produce K3 absorption, but they occur in emission more often than in Hα, particularly near the limb. Apart from these differences the structures seen in Hα and K generally correspond. A fine structure of granule size, also oscillating with 3–4 min period, is seen in K1. This structure is also obscured near the extreme limb, possibly by the same clouds seen in K1. The bright K232 network does not appear to oscillate significantly in brightness, except through covering and uncovering by the overlying dark clouds. Some bright spicules, and many dark ones, are seen over all elements of the K network, as in Hα. In active regions the structure in K is very close to Hα; all plagettes and plages are bounded by systems of strongly inclined bright and dark fibrils apparently marking the lines of force. The fibrils are the same (bright or dark) in Hα and K3; they are not seen in K2. Umbral flashes are much less visible in Hα. There is, however, a finer, granular umbral structure in Hα which does not oscillate. Running penumbral waves are not seen in K. The penumbra and surrounding areas are bright in K3. Every bright point in K3 corresponds to a magnetic field spot, except for the intranetwork area, where the magnetograms cannot detect possible fields. Flares are the same in K and Hα. The formation of the K double reversal at the limb is exhaustively discussed.     

Flare asymmetry as seen in offband Hα filtergrams

Narrow-band Hα filtergrams at ±1 Å and ±2 Å from the line center were used to study the asymmetry of flares. Of the 60 flares studied, 92% show red asymmetry while 5% show blue asymmetry. Typically, the filtergrams show a striking dominance of the red wing over the blue wing from onset until late in the decay phase. The difference in intensity of the flare emissions is further augmented by the extensiveness of the emission area in the brighter wing. New kernel-like emissions were often found many minutes after the flare maximum. Spatially they are displaced from the previous kernels. The late emissions show the same asymmetry as that of the earlier part of the flare.     

Visibility of magnetic features on filtergrams and spectroheliograms

An expression is derived for the contrast variation of a hypothetical magnetic element observed with a tunable monochromatic filter or spectroheliograph in a triplet Zeeman line. The theory is valid for a magnetic field of arbitrary strength and direction and for polarizing and non-polarizing optics. Numerical results are presented for both a stationary and a moving magnetic element over a range of field strengths and directions. They provide a simple diagnostic means of inferring the presence or, alternatively, the absence of strong fields, such as the kilogauss network fields postulated by Stenflo and others on the basis of indirect evidence. The proposed method of measuring strong fields is capable of very high spatial resolution and is free of the saturation effects encountered in the conventional magnetograph.     

Celestial-mechanical interpretation of the two-way radio measurements of radial velocity of spacecraft for scientific applications

The article describes a model of the two-way measurements of radial velocity based on the Doppler effect. The relations are presented for the instantaneous value of the increment range at the time of measurement and the radial velocity of the mid-dimensional interval. The compensation of methodological errors of interpretation of the two-way Doppler measurements is considered.     

The supergranule velocity field

A study of supergranule motions confirms horizontal velocities with peak values of typically 0.36 km s^–1 as observed in Fe i 8688 Å. These show no significant variation with height over the range of formation of C i 9111, Fe i 8688, and Mg i 8806, but there is a substantial reduction to about one-half of this at the level of Ca ii 8542.Near disk center, supergranule vertical velocities in Fe i 8688 have rms values ±0.01 km ^–1, after allowance for the residual effects of the line-of-sight component of the horizontal supergranule motions, the five-minute oscillations, granule motions, and detector drift. There is a marginally-significant association of magnetic elements, and hence of cell boundaries, with downward motions; but this requires further testing.Measurements of downward velocities 0.1 km^–1 in regions of strong magnetic field when using unpolarized light are attributed to the much higher downflow inside the elements themselves and have nothing to do with supergranule motions.Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

The interpretation of the Wilson-Bappu effect

The problem of the physical interpretation of the Wilson-Bappu effect is examined. A postulate is forwarded according to which this effect expresses the dependence of the complete kinetic energyE _t of turbulent motions in the medium generating magnesium emission in the doublet 2800 Mgii on the velocityW ₀ of turbulent motion. One of the consequences of the application of this postulate is the appearance of the relationships (8) and (11) which give the magnitude of the kinetic energyE _t of turbulent motions in the first case (Figure 2) and the magnitude of the mass of emitting mediumM ₀ in the second (Figure 3) depending on the turbulent velocityW ₀ (k). This postulate unit in a common conception all variety of the magnesium emission escaped from a single star as well as from binary systems on the one hand and the magnesium emission generated in chromospheres as well as in intercomponent clouds or streams on the other.     

The photospheric velocity field of Procyon

BUSS observations of the profiles of two well observed spectral lines in the ultraviolet spectrum of CMi (Procyon; F5 IV–V) are analysed with a Fourier transform method in order to determine values of various parameters of the velocity field of the upper photosphere. We find a microturbulent line-of-sight velocity componentL = 0.9 ± 0.4 km s^–1, a macroturbulent velocity componentL _M = 5.3 ± 0.2 km s^–1, and a rotational velocity componentv _R sini=10.0±1.2 km s^–1. In these calculations a single-moded sinusoidal isotropic macroturbulent velocity function was assumed. The result appears to be sensitive to the assumed shape of the macroturbulence function: for an assumed Gaussian shape the observations can be described withv _R sini=4 km s^–1 andL _M = 11.6 ± 2.7 km s^–1. A comparison is made with other results and theoretical predictions.     

The interpretation of oscillations in sunspot umbrae

We review possibilities for an interpretation of oscillations observed in several period bands (3 min., 5 min., 20 min.) and at different heights in sunspot umbrae. At subphotospheric depths two independent resonators are acting: A resonator for slow, quasi-transverse waves can explain the lifetimes of bright umbral dots (≥20 sec.), while a resonator for fast (acoustic), quasi-longitudinal waves could result in the 5-min. oscillations. The acoustic resonator strongly couples with the slow-mode longitudinal resonator at photospheric and chromospheric heights, the latter produces the resonance peaks in the 3-min. period band. The whole scheme of resonance levels generalizes and corroborates a chromospheric resonator model earlier proposed by the present authors. Comparisons with alternative models and recent measurements show that the present model most naturally explains the majority of observed data.     

The interpretation of flows in molecular clouds

Stellar winds interacting with gas in dense molecular clouds produce flows which may be initially energy or momentum driven. A criterion for this is derived which depends sensitively on the wind velocity. Flows may change from one regime to another depending on the gas distribution about the wind source and these changes are discussed for power law density distributions. In general, the flows observed in CO associated with infrared point sources seem to be in the energy driven regime. By combining CO observations with radio continuum flux measurements, wind parameters are derived for several of these sources. There is some evidence from the derived parameters that high (L _*2×10³ L ) luminosity sources have radiatively-driven winds. Lower luminosity source winds are driven by some agency as yet unknow. We suggest that the widths of infrared lines from wind sources seriously underestimate the wind terminal velocities.     

The quantitative interpretation of solar X-ray images

We examine the interpretation of plasma parameters derived by quantitative analysis of solar X-ray photographs obtained through broad band filters. We find some of the recent criticisms of the filter ratio method to be unfounded. Using active region and quiet Sun emission measures derived mostly from spectroscopic observations we find that effective emission measures and temperatures derived from S-054 data by filter ratio analysis are within better than 20% of the total emission measure and average temperature, respectively. The uncertainties associated with filtered flux determination are found to produce an error of about 10% in the derived effective temperature. We thus conclusively demonstrate that parameters derived from S-054 data by filter ratio analysis are representative of the observed active region and quiet Sun material.     

The interpretation of sunspot magnetic field observations

Magnetic field strengths and directions of the lines of force have been measured over two large sunspots in 1975 and 1976 using Treanor's method. Further refinements in observational technique reduce the effects of instrumental polarization to a small phase change, and the reduction procedure has been made more objective. The new observations confirm the existence of differences between the polarization states of the red and violet Zeeman -components in some regions of the spots. These differences, which are especially associated with light bridges and streamers, are attributed to magneto-optical effects, coupled with Doppler shifts, in extraneous material lying over the spots.     

The interpretation of hydrogen radio recombination lines

Computations of the high level populations of hydrogen in gaseous nebulae are used to compare observations of radio recombination lines with theoretical predictions based on possible line enhancement. Attempts to confirm the existence of maser action from electron temperatures derived on the assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium are inconclusive. There is evidence that most of the low (5000 K) derived temperatures can be increased by at most a few percent by allowing for line enhancement. Measured ratios of the peak temperatures of lines of the same frequencies originating from different upper quantum levels, indicate maser action if Stark broadening is not taken into account. The inclusion of Stark broadening allows confirmation of maser action only in the central regions of the Orion Nebula in the case of the 137/109 ratio, and in Orion, and, possibly, IC 1795 and M17, in the case of the 197/156 ratio.     

Determination of the energy or pressure of a solar X-ray structure using X-ray filtergrams from a single filter

While the X-ray fluxes measured through two different broadband filters can be used to derive the temperatures and emission measures of solar plasmas, it is generally assumed that no plasma parameters can be measured quantitatively with a single filtergram alone. We show that the thermal energy density (or pressure) of a solar plasma can be measured with an ideal single filtergram. Calculations have been done to compare the properties of the Skylab S-054 X-ray telescope filters to those of the ideal filter.     

The study of velocity oscillations in the solar photosphere using the velocity substraction technique

A method of measurement of local line-of-sight velocities in the solar atmosphere by means of polarization optics is described. No spurious signals due to instrumental displacements of the spectrum arise with this method. The sensitivity of the method obtained is 0.3 m s^-1, with a time constant τ = 5 s and input aperture 1.4″ × 4.5″. Some preliminary results of the assessment of spatial characteristics of 5-min oscillations are included. Data are given to illustrate a center-to-limb variation of the spectrum of 5-min oscillations.     

The velocity field of UGC 6697 revisited

The edge-on galaxy UGC 6697 has a peculiar morphological appearance: a high surface brightness SE component and what appears to be a tidal tail with blue color and low surface brightness extending toward the NW, as dramatically evidenced in subarcsecond broad band images taken with the VLT and in a deep Hα frame. Long-slit spectroscopy shows a 500 km/s rigid-body rotation curve with a sudden central velocity jump, of more than 200 km/s amplitude. Fabry-Perot observations of the Hα emission line enable us to trace a detailed 2D velocity field, confirming the complex kinematical behaviour, particularly in the circumnuclear region where multiple velocity components are clearly superposed on the same line of sight. This region hosts a double nucleus and shows sudden color and metallicity gradients, which can be reconciled with the complex velocity field assuming the presence of a second galaxy hidden behind the main body of UGC 6697. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The velocity structure of the lunar crust

Seismic refraction data, obtained at the Apollo 14 and 16 sites, when combined with other lunar seismic data, allow a compressional wave velocity profile of the lunar near-surface and crust to be derived. The regolith, although variable in thickness over the lunar surface, possesses surprisingly similar seismic properties. Underlying the regolith at both the Apollo 14 Fra Mauro site and the Apollo 16 Descartes site is low-velocity brecciated material or impact derived debris. Key features of the lunar seismic velocity profile are: (i) velocity increases from 100–300 m s^–1 in the upper 100 m to 4 km s^–1 at 5 km depth, (ii) a more gradual increase from 4 km s^–1 to 6 km s^–1 at 25 km depth, (iii) a discontinuity at a depth of 25 km and (iv) a constant value of 7 km s^–1 at depths from 25 km to about 60 km. The exact details of the velocity variation in the upper 5 to 10 km of the Moon cannot yet be resolved but self-compression of rock powders cannot duplicate the observed magnitude of the velocity change and the steep velocity-depth gradient. Other textural or compositional changes must be important in the upper 5 km of the Moon. The only serious candidates for the lower lunar crust are anorthositic or gabbroic rocks.Paper dedicated to Professor Harold C. Urey on the occasion of his 80th birthday on 29 April, 1973.     

The separation velocity of emerging magnetic flux

We measure the separation velocity of opposite poles from 24 new bipoles on the Sun. We find that the measured velocities range from about 0.2 to 1 km s^–1. The fluxes of the bipoles range over more than two orders of magnitude, and the mean field strength and the sizes range over one order of magnitude. The measured separation velocity is not correlated with the flux and the mean field strength of the bipole. The separation velocity predicted by the present theory of magnetic buoyancy is between 7.4Ba ^–1/4 cot and 13 cot km s^–1, where is the elevation angle of the flux tube at the photosphere (see Figure 9), B is the mean field strength, and a is the radius of the observed bipole. The rising velocity of the top of flux tubes predicted by the theory of magnetic buoyancy is between 3.7Ba ^–1/4 and 6.5 km s^–1. The predicted separation velocity is about one order of magnitude higher than those measured, or else the flux tubes are almost vertical at the photosphere. There is no correlation between the measured separation velocity and the theoretical value, 7.4Ba ^–1/4. The predicted rising velocity is also higher than the vertical velocity near the line of inversion in emerging flux regions observed by other authors.     

The accuracy of light curve interpretation programs revisited

It is stressed that poor convergence criteria are often used in light-curve synthesis programs. A large number of iterations (several tens) is needed to arrive at a definite conclusion about convergence. The result is usually that of some parameters little or no knowledge is gained and that the formal error estimates of all parameters are unrealistically small.     

The analysis and interpretation of solar X-ray photographs

This paper discusses the methods used to analyse and interpret X-ray filtergrams obtained by solar soft X-ray telescopes such as the S-056 Skylab instrument. First, an appropriate definition of the line-of-sight emission measure _L(T) is developed, and it is shown how the X-ray data may be analysed to obtain an approximation to _L(T). The accuracy of this approximation is severely limited by the mathematical ill-conditioning of the problem, and additional constraints on the solutions must be imposed through the use of a specific model of the coronal region under study. Such a model is also required for the proper interpretation of the results in terms of coronal plasma processes. Examples of such models are provided and the forms of _L(T) derived from them compared with other, semi-empirical forms.The filter ratio method (a simplified form of analysis in which the region under study is assumed isothermal) is discussed. It is shown that in the presence of line-of-sight temperature gradients, the values of effective temperature and emission measure yielded by this method cannot be directly related to the physical state of the plasma and so are of little utility in the study of coronal processes.Now at: Institute for Plasma Research, Stanford University, Via Crespi, Stanford, Calif. 94305, U.S.A.