Detectiin of RS CVn-type systems by doublet 2800 Mgii

The problem of the detection or discovery of RS CVn-type close binary systems with the aid of the magnesium emission doublet 2800 Mgii is discussed. On the example of a star, HD 102077, the possibility of such an approach is shown. The determining factor is the magnitude of the measureless parameterR(Mgii), that is, the relative power of the magnesium doublet emission. For the normal Main-Sequence stars the magnesium emission has a purely chromospheric origin andR(Mgii) 1 (in units of 10^–5). However, in the case of close binary systems of RS CVn-typeR(Mgii) 100. Wit the help of IUE it is foundR(Mgii) 100 for the star HD 102077 and, therefore, it is identified with RS CVn-type objects in which the magnesium doublet emission is generated in the intercomponent medium by gaseous matter and is transferred from one component of the system to the other. The basic physical parameters of the intercomponent medium in the case of HD 102077 are obtained.     

BN objects — A class of very young and massive stars

The Becklin-Neugebauer objects are identified by means of a wide range of observable features as a separate class of very young and massive stars surrounded by optically thick dust shells. We show that they evolutionarily connect real protostars to compactHii regions. We give criteria which should be appropriate to segregate the BN objects from compactHii regions. Finally, we describe the structure of a typical BN object.Paper presented at a Workshop on The Role of Dust in Dense Regions of Interstellar Matter, held at Georgenthal, G.D.R., in March, 1986.     

The fine structure of the solar atmosphere in the far ultraviolet

High resolution spectroheliograms in the ultraviolet emission lines He i, He ii, O iv, O v, and Ne vii have been photographed during a sounding rocket flight. Simultaneously, broad band filtergrams of the far ultraviolet solar corona were obtained from the same flight. This paper describes qualitatively the spatial distribution of the UV emission. A comparison with an H filtergram is made. The most significant results can be summarized as follows: We find most of the ultraviolet emission concentrated around spicules, with different degree of concentration, decreasing with higher temperatures. 4 different areas of ultraviolet emission can be distinguished. (1) The normal network, bright in all UV emission lines from the chromosphere into the corona. (2) The coronal holes, bright in all UV emission lines up to 600 000 K but depressed in coronal lines from 1 million degrees upward. (3) The coronal depressions near active centers, absence of all ultraviolet emissions and (4) Active regions, where ultraviolet emission comes from plages, sunspots and coronal loops. High non-thermal Doppler velocities can be found in certain plage kernels around 10⁵ to 2 × 10⁵ K. Sunspots are bright in the ultraviolet, but do not exhibit He i or He ii emission. The corona above sunspots is weak. Sunspots do not show high non-thermal Doppler velocities. The He i and He ii emission does not follow either chromospheric, transition zone or coronal pattern; one can recognize some typical behavior of each.     

EUV arcades: Signatures of filament instability

We have examined seven active regions of the Skylab period in the EUV (Harvard College Observatory), and in H and K₃ (Observatoire de Meudon, spectroheliograms and patrols) in order to elucidate the magnetic geometry in the coronal environment of filaments. We have also looked for signatures of magnetic reconfigurations associated with instabilities (i.e. velocities or disappearances) of filaments. Out of sixteen H filaments observed, six were stable (lifetime 48^h). All the filaments lay within coronal cavities as seen in lines formed above 1.5 × 10⁶ K (Mgx 625, Sixii 521, Fexvi 417, Fexv 361). None of the stable filaments had arcades or arches spanning the cavities except (sometimes) at the ends of the filaments. On the other hand, most (8/10) of the unstable filaments (having concurrent Doppler shifts or a subsequent DB within 24^h) had arcades or single arches spanning their cavities. The arches were observed in EUV lines with formation temperatures as low as 2–4 × 10⁵ K (Oiv 554, Ovi 1032, Ne vii 465), as well as in hotter lines. A statistical test shows that the arcade/instability vs non-arcade/stability association is significant at the 99% confidence level. We suggest 2 types of scenario relating arcades to instabilities. The more preferable scenario is closely related to the Kuperus/Van Tend model of filament disruptions.     

The case of the fastest stellar wind in central stars of planetary nebulae

An exceptionally fast wind (8500 km/s) was suggested to occur in the central star of the planetary nebula K1-16, belonging to the class of the PG 1159 H-deficient pre-white dwarfs. To ascertain the reality of such a fast wind this star has been observed with the HST telescope using the GHRS in the zone of theCiv 155.0 nm doublet. The HST data and tests made using synthetic stellar spectra support the existence of a stellar wind with a terminal velocity of 3800 km/s and a mass loss rate lower thanM<2 · 10^–11 M per year. Possibly it is no longer the fastest stellar wind so far observed but it is still among the fastest.     

Unusual comets (?) as observed from the Hubble Space Telescope

In separate projects, the Hubble Space Telescope has been used to assess the nature of 3 unusual objects: Chiron, Pholus and P/Shoemaker-Levy 9. This paper will compare these objects and discuss how the unique capabilities of the HST may be used to address the issue of cometary activity in each. Chiron, which has exhibited obvious cometary characteristics for several years, might have a bound dust coma that is unresolvable from the ground. In an attempt to directly observe this bound coma, we have obtained a series of images of Chiron with the HST Planetary Camera. Inner coma structure out to 0.2 has been detected. From these observations we infer a low bulk nucleus density for Chiron. Both HST and ground-based images of 5145 Pholus have been obtained to search for evidence of activity. The ground-based data give the most sensitive limits; however, it is shown that the WFPC-2 on HST can give limits 2–3 orders of magnitude more sensitive than conventional ground-based limits. Finally, as part of a collaborative effort, we have been obtaining HST observations of SL9 in order to determine the fragment sizes and to assess their nature (i.e., cometary vs. asteroid). Both ground-based observations from the UH 2.2m telescope on Mauna Kea and HST observations show that the near-nucleus dust is redder than the sun. While FOS spectra did not detect OH emission, the WFPC-2 HST data show that the inner coma remained very circular from July 1993 up until 2 weeks prior to impact, implying continued production of dust.     

Raies nébulaires et coronales dans le spectre infrarouge de la Nova Delphini

Nova Delphini 1967 has been observed in the red and photographic infrared at the Haute-Provence Observatory from September 7 to November 12, 1968. Dispersions range from 230 Å/mm to 4 Å/mm. The slope of the continuous spectrum in the region 1.3–1.7 ^–1 leads to a gradient of 3.06, which did not appear to vary during the observing period. This gradient is, however, very different from the value 1.71 measured on plates secured in August 1968. Lines ofHi, Hei, Heii, Feii,Oi,Cii and forbidden transitions due toOi,Oii, Fevii, Fex, Fexi,Siii,Aiii,Av,Axi and Nixv have been identified. Their intensities at various dates are given in Table II. Line profiles could be measured for a few lines taken on a 39 Å/mm spectrogram on October 3. Hei 6678 and 7065 are displayed on Figures 2 and 3. Figure 4 gives the [Oii] doublet at 7319–7330, while the H profile, obtained on October 4 can be seen on Figure 5. The line extends over more than 45 Å and narrow absorptions are seen at 6551.05; 6555.75; 6563.15; 6571.49; 6574.45. Due to the absence of published data on radial velocities of absorption lines in the visible spectrum at that time, it is not possible to give a clear identification for these features. Some of them may belong to H, while others are probably due to metals.     

A two-dimensional multi-band spectroheliograph

The present paper describes a two-dimensional multi-band spectrograph which is located at Yunnan Observatory (25° N 103° E), Kunming. The instrument consists of a coelostat system with an aperture of 40 cm, and spatial resolution better than 1 under excellent seeing, and a spectrograph equipped with a plane reflecting grating. It can simultaneously obtain spectral data in ten bands, including the Balmer lines, metallic lines [Fei 6173 ,D _{1, 2, 3}, Mg, and Caii (H + K)] and Heii 4686 . We are able to control the observational processes by means of a computer and obtain the following data synchronously or quasi-synchronously: multi-band spectra, H filtergrams, magnetic field, and white light. With the aid of H slit-jaw filtergrams, we can determine where and when the spectral data are obtained and, on the basis of analysing the spectral line profiles, we can understand the physical characteristics of an active region and derive the fields of physical parameters. For the line-of-sight velocities, the values measured are as high as hundreds of kilometers per second and as low as a few kilometers per second.     

Lα, Lβ (of Hi), k and h (of Mgii), K and H (of Ca ii) observations in a quiescent prominence with the OSO-8 LPSP instrument

A sequence of images taken at different positions in the resonance lines of Ca ii, Mg ii, and H i was obtained over a quiescent prominence with the LPSP instrument on OSO-8. Ca ii K (and H) profiles are reconstructed at different locations in the prominence with a (10 × 5) arc sec² resolution. Significant variations of FWHM and line shifts are found: FWHM range from 0.14 Å to 0.5 Å; blue shifts reach about 14 km s^-1. The ratio of K to H absolute intensities shows a large spread around the average value of 1.2. The same ratio for the Mg ii lines in the whole prominence is higher (1.7), a fact already noticed at the edge of an active prominence (Vial et al., 1979). The ionization degree, as measured by the L/Ca K ratio, shows noticeable variations within the prominence. The L intensity is about 0.3 times the intensity measured in the quiet Sun, and the L/L ratio is less than one half the disk value. These results indicate important variations of the thermal conditions inside the prominence.DASOP, Observatoire de Paris, 92190 Meudon, France.     

Interferometric study of NGC 7793

Results of H interferometric observations of NGC 7793 are reported. This galaxy contains about 93 HII regions and a general emission background. Its radial velocity is 215 km s^–1.The total mass is low, 2–3×10⁹ solar masses, as well as the average density; the meanM/L is 0.4 suggesting a high proportion of young objects.     

Theoretical models of planetary nebulae

Introduction of the O⁺⁺+H⁰O⁺+H⁺ charge exchange rate suggested by Butler, Bender and Dalgarno leads to theoretical nebular models that differ from those previously computed in several important respects. Different elemental abundances, bluer central star energy distributions, and truncated (material limited) models are required. If the argon abundance is fixed from the 7135 [Ariii] line intensity, 4740 [Ariv] is invariably predicted to be much too strong. Better atomic parameters, together with improved charge exchange rates for other ions, and more accurate dielectronic recombination rates may alleviate the situation.     

Determinations of atomic lifetimes for the rare earth ions: Prii,Tmii, Luii,Ceiii

Radiative lifetimes have been determined by the beam-foil method for some excited states in the singly ionized rare earths Pr ii, Tm ii, and Lu ii, in order to test the reliability of the transition probabilities and oscillator strengths found by Corliss and Bozman and usually applied for solar abundance determinations. Correction factors of 4.5, 2.5, and 0.3 should be applied to Corliss and Bozman's values for Pr ii, Tm ii, and Lu ii, respectively. These corrections eliminate the discrepancies between the abundance in the solar photosphere and in meteorites for Pr and Tm. Radiative lifetimes for Ce iii are also reported.     

A two-temperature model for the flare of 5 September, 1973

The energetics and mass transfer during the X-ray flare of 1831 GMT on 5 September, 1973 have been studied using the observations in the objective grating mode of the AS&E X-ray spectrographic telescope on Skylab. The flare was a moderately energetic one, Class M1 according to Solrad. In H, however, it was only a subflare of class - N. The data are approximately monochromatic images of the small X-ray source. They show a continued rise in the emission for several minutes followed by a decline. The size and temporal evolution are slightly different for ions associated with higher temperatures (Fe xxii, Si xiii) than with those of lower temperatures (Fe xvii, Mg xi). The time of maximum emission moves from one side of the flare to the other and peaks earlier for hotter temperature ions. The observations are analyzed using a two-temperature model in order to determine the changes in the distribution of emission measure and of the amount of material as a function of temperature. The development of the flare can be divided into three periods in each of which different mechanisms are operating. For the first 3–4 min, evaporation drives mass into the entire emitting region. Second, the evaporation ceases: Hot material loses energy, and we see a loss of hot material and a corresponding gain of cool material. Later, after 1838, we see a decline in the emission measure.     

Variations of the λ525.02 nm FeI line profile over the solar disk and observations of large-scale magnetic fields

This paper examines the question of the influence of the 525.02 nm Fei line profile (slope of its wings) variations over the solar disk upon observations of large-scale magnetic fields (LSMF) made in this line. The study has shown that depending on the position on the disk (center-limb effect) and magnetic field parameters at the place of the observation, values of magnetic field strengths determined with proper account of the real line profile and in the usual way (by calibration using the line profile at the center of the solar disk only) can differ by 25% or more, which is of crucial importance. Observations at the Solar Telescope for Operative Predictions (STOP) of the Sayan Observatory have been used to accomplish this work.     

Ultraviolet observations of β Persei, μ1 Scorpii and γ2 Velorum with the TD-1A satellite

This paper reports on the results of a study of S59 ultraviolet spectral scans of the spectroscopic binaries Persei, ¹ Scorpii and ₂ Velorum. In the case of ¹ Sco it was found that the Mgii doublet at 2800 Å undergoes intensity variations that may be indicative of variable emission in the photographic spectrum. The continuum in the 2490–2590 Å range deviates from the continuum of the comparison stars. In ₂ Vel, flux variations in the 2770–2870 Å region have been detected.Member of the Carrera del Investigador Cientifico, CONICET, Argentina. Guest Investigator of the S59 experiment on board the TD-1A satellite.     

The umbral flash as a magneto-acoustic wave phenomenon

The suggestion that an umbra flash may be caused by a magneto-acoustic wave phenomenon is examined. It is suggested that the flash in Ca ii lines is formed during the compressional stage in a magneto-acoustic wave. The compression which is assumed to be adiabatic will produce a rise in temperature and a corresponding increase in number of Ca ii atoms. The variations in line emission (absorption) coefficient of the Ca ii K-line are calculated on this assumption and are found to be in general agreement with the observed variations. Other observed quantities as proper motion, magnitude of line shift etc., also agree with the wave hypothesis. Further observations which may serve as tests on the wave hypothesis are suggested.     

The spectra of near-vertical structures on the solar disk

Bright emission arches in the spectra of H and the Ca II (H and K lines) are identified as the spectroscopic picture of the chromospheric network as it appears near the solar limb. Analysis of the geometrical properties of these spectroscopic arches indicates that the average network is a diverging sheet with a divergence angle of 50°. This sheet extends to 2600 km and 2000 km as an opaque emission feature in H and the Ca II (H and K) lines, respectively.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

A spectroscopic study of the microorganism model of interstellar grains

The microorganism model of interstellar grains is investigated by spectroscopy from the infrared (IR), visible to the ultraviolet (UV) wave regions.E. coli, yeast and spores ofBacillus subtilis exhibit absorption bands at =3.1 and 9.7 m; they also exhibit several absorptions at 68 m which are in agreement with the observed IS extinction curves.To obtain the extinction curves in the visible and UV regions, dry films of microorganism are prepared on a MgF₂ plate or synthesized quartz plate and their spectra measured. In the wavelength region 190400 nm, conventional spectrophotometers are adopted for the measurement. The extinction curve of the film ofE. coli is similar to the observed IS curve.For the wave-range 100<<400 nm, a vacuum UV spectrometer is adopted to avoid absorptions due to O₂ in the atmosphere. The extinction spectra by this method are in agreement with the result obtained by the conventional method where comparison is possible. The extinction curves ofE. coli and yeast are such that they incrase towards the short wavelength and exhibit a peak at -190 nm, which is different from the well-known IS peak at =220 nm. It remains to be seen whether interstellar low temperatures (1040 K) can shift the peak position in the extinction curve of biochemical materials.     

Burst of star formation in detached extragalactic Hii regions: A qualitative analysis

A calibration previously determined for the evolution of the equivalent width of the emission line H with age for Hii regions (Dottori, 1981) is applied to detached extragalactic Hii regions. The frequency distribution of ages seems to indicate that some of these regions had other bursts of star formation so important as the observed last one.     

Stellar atmospheric parameters and the IR Caii triplet

The IR Caii triplet at 8498, 8542, 8662 Å, relatively easy to observe and measure and free from atmospheric absorption bands, is a powerful tool for the study of the stellar populations in galaxies, provided that we can understand its behaviour with the stellar parameters: effective temperature, surface gravity and metal content. We present here the results of CCD spectroscopic observations for a sample of 86 stars covering a wide range in luminosity, effective temperature and metallicity (from subdwarfs to supergiants and –2.70[F3/H]0.43), in order to establish the dependence of the IR Caii triplet on stellar atmosphere parameters. We do not confirm previous results giving the main dependence on surface gravity. We find instead a bi-parametric dependence on metallicity and surface gravity, and no dependence on effective temperature.