Earth Tides and Lense–Thirring Effect

The general relativistic Lense—Thirring effect can be measured by inspecting a suitable combination of the orbital residuals of the nodes of LAGEOS and LAGEOS II and the perigee of LAGEOS II. The solid and ocean Earth tides affect the recovery of the parameter by means of which the gravitomagnetic signal is accounted for in the combined residuals. Thus an extensive analysis of the perturbations induced on these orbital elements by the solid and ocean Earth tides is carried out. It involves the l=2 terms for the solid tides and the l=2,3,4 terms for the ocean tides. The perigee of LAGEOS II turns out to be very sensitive to the l=3 part of the ocean tidal spectrum, contrary to the nodes of LAGEOS and LAGEOS II. The uncertainty in the solid tidal perturbations, mainly due to the Love number k ₂, ranges from 0.4% to 1.5%, while the ocean tides are uncertain at 5–15% level. The obtained results are used in order to check in a preliminary way which tidal constituents the Lense-Thirring shift is sensitive to. In particular it is tested if the semisecular 18.6-year zonal tide really does not affect the combined residuals. It turns out that, if modeled at the level of accuracy worked out in the paper, the l=2,4 m=0 and also, to a lesser extent, the l=3, m=0 tidal perturbations cancel out.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Study of the Rotation of the Solar Corona

Synoptic photoelectric observations of the coronal Fexiv and Fex emission lines at 530.3 nm and 637.4 nm, respectively, are analyzed to study the rotational behavior of the solar corona as a function of latitude, height, time and temperature between 1976 (1983 for Fex) and 2001. An earlier similar analysis of the Fexiv data at 1.15 R over only one 11-year solar activity cycle (Sime, Fisher, and Altrock, 1989, Astrophys. J. 336, 454) found suggestions of solar-cycle variations in the differential (latitude-dependent) rotation. These results are tested over the longer epoch now available. In addition, the new Fexiv 1.15 R results are compared with those at 1.25 R and with results from the Fex line. I find that for long-term averages, both ions show a weakly-differential rotation period that may peak near 80° latitude and then decrease to the poles. However, this high-latitude peak may be due to sensing low-latitude streamers at higher latitudes. There is an indication that the Fexiv rotation period may increase with height between 40° and 70° latitude. There is also some indication that Fex may be rotating slower than Fexiv in the mid-latitude range. This could indicate that structures with lower temperatures rotate at a slower rate. As found in the earlier study, there is very good evidence for solar-cycle-related variation in the rotation of Fexiv. At latitudes up to about 60°, the rotation varies from essentially rigid (latitude-independent) near solar minimum to differential in the rising phase of the cycle at both 1.15 R and 1.25 R . At latitudes above 60°, the rotation at 1.15 R appears to be nearly rigid in the rising phase and strongly differential near solar minimum, almost exactly out of phase with the low-latitude variation.     

Comparative morphology of EIT/SOHO images and He ii excitation

Morphological differences between coronal images on the one hand, and a Hei image on the other, are used to demonstrate the independence of Heii excitation from coronal radiation. The distribution of magnetic flux is found to be more important for Heii excitation. Collisional excitation by non-thermal electrons produced in nano-flare events is proposed as the mechanism for Heii excitation.     

Short-Term Periodicities in the Time Series of Solar Radio Emissions at Different Solar Altitudes

A spectral analysis of the time series of daily values of 12 parameters, namely, ten solar radio emissions in the range 275–1755 MHz, 2800 MHz solar radio flux, and sunspot numbers for six continuous intervals of 132 values each during June 1997–July 1999 showed considerable differences from one interval to the next, indicating a nonstationary nature. A 27-day periodicity was noticed in Interval 2 (26.8 days), 3 (27.0 days), 5 (25.5 days), 6 (27.0 days). Other periodicities were near 11.4, 12.3, 13.3, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5, 35, 40, 50–70 days. Periodicities were very similar in a large vertical span of the coronal region corresponding to 670–1755 MHz. Above this region, the homogeneity disappeared. Below this region, there were complications and distortions due to localized solar surface phenomena.     

Infrared Imaging Solar Spectrograph At Purple Mountain Observatory

Since 1986, we have made some improvements to the multichannel solar spectrograph at Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) step by step, and now we have developed and added to it a multichannel infrared imaging solar spectrograph. The original spectrograph can be used to observe simultaneously solar activity at 9 wave bands including Caii H and K line, Mgi b line, Hei D3 line and H through H. The newly developed infrared imaging spectrograph can work in three wavelengths, i.e., Hei 10830 Å, Caii 8542 Å, and H. We replaced plates in the original system with CCDs and placed an image reducer before each CCD in order to match the CCD pixel size. The dispersions for Hei 10830 Å, Caii 8542 Å, and H of the new imaging solar spectrograph are 0.0693 Å, 0.0767 Å, and 0.0754 Å per CCD pixel respectively, and each vertical CCD pixel represents 0.34 arc sec of solar disk. We can obtain the line-center and off-band intensities of the three lines and the intensities of continua adjacent to these lines through the new instrument. We can also acquire velocity maps and line profiles. Therefore, it is specially suitable for two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopic observations of solar flares and active regions. We carry out scanning observation by rotating the second mirror of the coelostat system. In this paper, we introduce the improvements we made and the new imaging solar spectrograph. Some observation results are also presented in this article.     

Radial Flows in Supergranules

We determine the radial component of the supergranular flow velocity by examining the center-to-limb variation of the Doppler velocity signal. We acquire individual Doppler images obtained with the MDI instrument on the SOHO spacecraft and process them to remove the p-mode oscillation signal, the axisymmetric flows, the convective blueshift signal, and instrumental artifacts. The remaining Doppler signal contains only non-axisymmetric flow structures. The Doppler signal from the horizontal flows in these structures varies like sin, where is the heliocentric angle from disk center. The Doppler signal from radial flows varies like cos. We fit the center-to-limb variation of the mean squared velocity signal to a straight line in sin² over the central portion of the disk. The intercept of this line at disk center gives the amplitude of the radial component of the flow. The slope of the line gives the amplitude of the horizontal component. We find that the radial flows for typical supergranules have speeds about 10% that of their associated horizontal flows or about 30 m s^–1. The ratio of the radial to horizontal flow speed increases from 9% to about 18% as the size of the structure decreases from >60 Mm to 5 Mm. We use data simulations to check these results and find a ratio that increases from 5% to only about 12% over the same range of sizes. These smaller ratios are attributed to an underestimation of the horizontal flow speeds due to the fact that the transverse component of the horizontal flow is not detected by Doppler measurements.     

Some fundamental elements of universe mechanics

An essential part in the mechanics under study is taking into consideration the effect of motions of the Universe objects upon that of an individual one surrounded by them including those infinitely far from it. Only macro-objects of the Universe are meant here.

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Zusammenfassung Ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der Mechanik unter unserer Betrachtung ist die Berechnung des Einflusses auf die Bewegung eines individuellen Objektes von Bewegungen der Universum Objekte die es umringen einschließlich jene Objekte, die unendlich entfernt sind. Nur Makroobjekte des Weltalles sind in der Absicht dabei.

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Crossing of Various Cantori

We find the form of cantori surrounding an island of stable motion in the standard map for various values of the nonlinearity parameter K near the value K=5 (much larger than the critical value K _cr=0.971635...). The asymptotic curves of unstable periodic orbits inside the cantorus cross it after a certain time and then escape to the large chaotic sea. For K=5 the crossing time (in appropriate units) is t=1 and the escape time is t=2. For K=4.998 the crossing time is t=7 and the escape time t=23000. This delay of escape is due to the existence of higher order cantori, with very small gaps. We found that, as K increases the noble torus [2,4,1,1,..] is destroyed before the destruction of the higher order tori [2,4,1,1,1,1,2,1,...] and [2,4,1,1,1,1,3,1,...]. Thus the torus with the simplest noble number is not the last KAM curve to be destroyed. Then we find that nearby orbits deviate considerably, but the average times spent near various resonance before escape are very similar.     

On the Abundance of Holmium in the sun

The abundance of holmium (Z=67) in the Sun remains uncertain. The photospheric abundance, based on lines of Hoii, has been reported as + 0.26±0.16 (on the usual scale where log(H) = 12.00), while the meteoritic value is + 0.51±0.02. Cowan-code calculations have been undertaken to improve the partition function for this ion by including important contributions from unobserved levels arising from the (4f ¹¹6p+4f ¹⁰(5d+6s)²) group. Based on 6994 computed energy levels, the partition function for Hoii is 67.41 for a temperature of 6000 K. This is 1.5 times larger than the value derived from the 49 published levels. The new partition function alone leads to an increase in the solar abundance of Ho to log (Ho) =+ 0.43. This is within 0.08 dex of the meteoritic abundance. Support for this result has been obtained through LTE spectrum synthesis calculations of a previously unidentified weak line at 3416.38. Attributing the feature to Hoii, the observations may be fitted with log (Ho) =+ 0.53. This calculation assumes log (gf)=0.25 and is uncertain by at least 0.1 dex.     

Structure and Evolution of the Transition Region Network Observed in he ii λ304

The length scale and life time of the transition region network cells were studied using Heii 304 filtergrams. The temporal structure function was calculated from spatially aligned Heii 304 images. The estimated life time of the network cell was about 27 hr. We compared this life time with the life time of photospheric magnetic network and of the extrapolated magnetic network. The spatial structure function was calculated from the Heii 304 filtergrams. The calculated spatial structure function saturates at 25000 km. The transition region network elements are bigger in size than the photospheric magnetic network element. The magnetic network element equals the size of the Heii 304 network element when the photospheric magnetic field is extrapolated to a height of 3000 km above the photosphere where the magnetic fluxes are deployed. The derived value of the diffusion speed of the network elements was 0.098 km s^–1.     

Time Evolution of low-Frequency Periodicities in Cosmic ray Intensity

The long-time series of daily means of cosmic-ray intensity observed by four neutron monitors at different cutoff rigidities (Calgary, Climax, Lomnický tít and Huancayo/Haleakala) were analyzed by means of the wavelet transform method in the period range 60 to 1000 days. The contributions of the time evolution of three quasi-periodic cosmic-ray signals (150 d, 1.3 yr and 1.7 yr) to the global one are obtained. While the 1.7-yr quasi-periodicity, the most remarkable one in the studied interval, strongly contributes to the cosmic ray intensity profile of solar cycle 21 (particularly in 1982), the 1.3-yr one, which is better correlated with the same periodicity of the interplanetary magnetic field strength, is present as a characteristic feature for the decreasing phases of the cycles 20 and 22. Transitions between these quasi-periodicities are seen in the wavelet power spectra plots. Obtained results support the claimed difference in the solar activity evolution during odd and even solar activity cycles.     

Electron densities above a polar coronal hole based on improved Si IX density diagnostics

Using new close-coupling excitation rates for the C-like ion Siix, density-diagnostic ratios based on Siix lines have been re-evaluated and applied to a sequence of CDS observations taken above a polar coronal hole. The derived electron densities are in excellent agreement with previous values of N_eestimated from the N-like ion Siviii for another coronal hole. The confirmed trend is for a fall-off of one order of magnitude within the first 0.3 Rabove the limb. These densities are well fitted with an analytic formula for the density profile out to at least 8 R, by which stage the electron density has fallen to 4×10³ cm^–3, from 1.5×10⁸ cm^–3at 1.0 R.     

CORONAL RADIATION AND HELIUM λ584 EMISSION IN ACTIVE REGIONS

Based on EUV observations of eleven sunspot regions obtained with the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer, CDS, on SOHO we have studied the spatial distribution, temporal variation and wavelength shift of the Hei 584 line. We find a relatively high spatial correlation between the coronal line Fexvi 360 and the Hei 584 line. This points to coronal back-radiation as an important contributor to the formation of the Hei line in active regions. However, contribution to the line formation from another source is suggested by the following two findings: First, the red-shifted line profiles of both Hei 584 and the transition region lines tend to be more intense than blue-shifted profiles. Second, the Hei 584 emission changes significantly faster than the coronal line emission.     

Wavelength Shifts in the Solar Photospheric Spectrum

Wavelength shifts converted to velocities between solar lines observed at disc center and laboratory wavelengths of Fei, Feii, Tii, Nii, and Fei lines in the near infrared are plotted as a function of the logarithm of their solar equivalent width in milliångstroms. The need for wavelengths based on the wavelength standards is stressed. A comparison of photographic Fei solar wavelength is shown to agree, on the average, with Fourier Transform Spectrometer solar wavelengths within less than 0.5 milliångstroms. Using Balthasar's limb effect tables we convert the disc center velocities to limb velocities and find, though the scatter is large, that there is little evidence for a super-gravitational red shift.     

Statistical Characteristics of CMEs and Flares Associated with Solar Type II Radio Bursts

We present results from a study of sunspots and faculae on continuum and Caii K images taken at the San Fernando Observatory (SFO) during 1989–1992; a total of approximately 800 images in each bandpass were used. About 18000 red sunspots, 147000 red faculae, and 800000 Caii K faculae were identified based on their contrasts. In addition, we computed the contrasts of pixels on the red images cospatial with Caii K faculae. Sunspot contrasts show a strong dependence on size but no dependence on heliocentric angle. There are continuous but systematic differences among facular regions. We find that the contrast of Caii K faculae is relatively insensitive to heliocentric angle, but is a strong function of facular size, in the sense that larger Caii K faculae are always brighter. The contrast of red faculae is a function of both heliocentric angle and size: the contrast functions show that larger regions contain larger flux tubes, contain deeper flux tubes, and have larger filling factors than small facular regions. Comparisons of cospatial pixels on red and Caii K images show a tight correlation between the average contrast of a region in the continuum and its size and heliocentric angle in the Caii K images. The average contrast of all facular regions is positive everywhere on the disk, even though the largest regions contain flux tubes which appear dark at disk center.     

A new estimate of the solar meridional flow

We present a new method for measuring the solar magnetic meridional flow, and provide a comparison with other recent work. We have performed a least-squares fit to azimuthally averaged Mount Wilson Observatory synoptic data encompassing Carrington rotations 1722 to 1929 to produce an estimate of the solar meridional flow. A parametric fit to our results expresses the solar meridional flow as v() = 28.5 sin2.5 cos.     

Soft X-ray emission lines of Ni XVIII in the solar spectrum

R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in Nixviii are used to derive theoretical electron-temperature-sensitive emission line ratios involving 3s–4p,3p–4d,3p –4s, and 3d–4f transitions in the 41–53 Å wavelength range. A comparison of these with solar flare observations from a rocket-borne X-ray spectrograph (XSST) reveals generally excellent agreement between theory and experiment (within the experimental and theoretical uncertainties), which provides support for the atomic data adopted in the analysis. However the 3s 2S–4p 2P1/2 line of Nixviii at 41.22 Å appears to be blended with the Fexix 13.74 Å feature observed by XSST in third order. In addition, the measured Nixviii intensity ratio I(3p 2P3/2– 4s 2S)/I(3p 2P1/2–4s 2S)=I(51.02 Å)/I(50.26 Å)=0.56, a factor of 3.8 smaller than the theoretical (temperature and density-insensitive) value of 2.1. The reason for this discrepancy is currently unexplained, but is unlikely to be due to blending of the 50.26 Å line, as the intensity of this feature is consistent with that expected from the other Nixviii lines in the XSST spectrum. Future observations of the Nixviii lines by the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) should allow this problem to be resolved, and may also permit the use of the lines as electron-temperature diagnostics.     

Спектр и поляризация источника синхротронного излучения при релятивистском разлете его компонент

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Characteristics of Flares with Hα Emission Protruding over Major Sunspot Umbrae

A sample of 47 importance 1 flares whose H emission occurred or protruded over umbrae of major sunspots (so called Z-flares) was studied to investigate characteristics of the associated dm–m radio, microwave and soft X-ray emission as the energy release site permeats into regions of strong magnetic fields. A close time association was found between the microwave burst peak and the `contact' of the H emission with the sunspot umbra. The H emission attained maximum close to or a few minutes after the contact. The soft X-ray bursts were delayed more, attaining maximum 0–10 min after the contact. The onset of bursts in the dm–m wavelength range was associated with the period of growth or the peak of the microwave burst. Two categories of type III and IV bursts could be recognized: the ones starting some ten minutes before the microwave peak, and those that begin close to the microwave burst peak. Type III bursts occur preferably when the microwave burst peaks simultaneously with or after the contact. The results are explained presuming that the contact reveals a permeation of the energy release process into a region of strong magnetic fields, where the process intensifies, and where the accelerated particles have access to magnetic field lines extending to large coronal heights. Different manifestations of the energy release process in various magnetic field topologies are considered to account for the various time sequences observed.     

Infrared Spectroscopy from San Fernando Observatory: He I 1083 nm, O I 1316 nm, and Fe I 1565 nm

Imaging spectroscopy of the Sun was carried out at the California State University Northridge San Fernando Observatory using an InGaAs near-IR video camera. Using the Sii 1082.71 nm and Hei 1083.03 nm lines the Evershed effect is measured simultaneously in the photosphere and the chromosphere for three sunspots; the speed of the Evershed flow is measured to be between 3 to 8 times greater in the Hei line than in the Sii line, and the direction is radially inward in the chromosphere and outward in the photosphere. Telluric absorption lines prevented a meaningful measurement of Oi 1128.7 nm limb emission, but an upper limit of 20×10^–3 B is measured for chromospheric limb emission at Oi 1316.3 nm. Zeeman splitting in Fei 1564.9 nm was observed in six sunspot umbrae, and a linear relationship between magnetic field and umbral continuum intensity is confirmed.