Plasma Beta above a Solar Active Region: Rethinking the Paradigm

In this paper, we present a model of the plasma beta above an active region and discuss its consequences in terms of coronal magnetic field modeling. The -plasma model is representative and derived from a collection of sources. The resulting variation with height in the solar atmosphere is used to emphasize that the assumption that the magnetic pressure dominates over the plasma pressure must be carefully employed when extrapolating the magnetic field. This paper points out (1) that the paradigm that the coronal magnetic field can be constructed from a force-free magnetic field must be used in the correct context, since the force-free region is sandwiched between two regions which have >1, (2) that the chromospheric Mgii–Civ magnetic measurements occur near the -minimum, and (3) that, moving from the photosphere upwards, can return to 1 at relatively low coronal heights, e.g., R1.2 R _s.     

Similarities between chromospheric and photospheric quiet-Sun magnetograms

Simultaneous observations of chromospheric (H) and photospheric (Fei 5324.19 Å) magnetograms in quiet solar regions enable us to study the spatial configuration of the magnetic field in the solar atmosphere. With the typical spatial resolution of the Huairou magnetograph, the photospheric and chromospheric magnetic structures of the quiet Sun maintain a very similar pattern. Moreover, the vertical magnetic flux is almost the same from the photosphere to the chromosphere. As an intermediate step, we analyze the formation of the working lines used by the Huairou video magnetograph of the Beijing Astronomical Observatory. The Stokes V contribution function of H and Fei 5324.19 Å are calculated. It is found that our H magnetograms provide the distribution of the chromospheric magnetic field at a height some 1000–1500 km above the photosphere.     

An analysis of the distribution of boulders in the vicinity of small lunar craters

Nine Orbiter 3 high-resolution photographs were examined at three sites for distributions of boulders around craters 110 m in diameter; three kinds of distributions were noted. Some had boulders inside and far outside (designated), others had boulders only inside or on their ramparts (), and some had no detectable boulders (). Additionally, shapes or morphologies of craters were classified according to their resemblance to one of three Jaffe models (1965); a third classification involved the depth of particulate overlay (Jaffe, 1965). Crater morphologies were classified (A) if they were relatively shallow with sharp, raised rims, (B) if they were rimless and shallow, and (C) if they were relatively deep and had low, broad rims. The data suggested that there were strong relationships between crater types and boulder distributions in which, generally, A-type was related to the-distribution, B-type to-distribution, and C-type to-distribution. Plots of numbers of craters of each crater type and each kind of boulder distribution versus steps of overlay for each site and for the totality of craters considered indicated that neither boulder distribution nor crater type represented orderly progression of age or erosional evolution. The apparent overlays for the A's and C's and for the's and's were similar, implying similar ages or stages of erosion. It is suggested that they represent two kinds of primary craters and that the A's are of impact origin while the C's are of volcanic origin. The B's probably represent later stages of erosion of the C's and possibly of some A's.Now at the University of Maryland.Receipt delayed by postal strike in Great Britain.     

Simultaneous measurements of Ca+ K,Ca+ H,Hα, Hβ, and He D3 emission in prominences

Simultaneously measured line intensities of Ca⁺ K and H, H, H and He D₃ are presented and compared with recent model calculations by Heasley and Milkey (1978). The model calculations are compatible with the observations. There is indication that the observed branching of the relation E(Ca⁺ K and H) E(H) depends on the widths of the Ca⁺-lines.     

Čerenkov radiation in anisotropic plasmas

Following our series of works on anisotropic radiation, we analyze the erenkov condition in magnetized plasmas in this paper. We have discovered that the usual erenkov condition cos =1/n isnot satisfied at a far field point in anisotropic media, implying that when a charge is moving in a magnetized plasma, a linear shock wave front does not form. Thus we can calculate the power received at a far field per unit time in such a medium — this quantity could not be evaluated according to previous theory. Numerical examples are presented to show various relevant characteristics of erenkov radiation in model plasmas.     

Solar chromospheric magnetic fields in active regions inferred by monochromatic images of the Stokes' parameterV of the Hβ line

A series of H chromospheric magnetograms was obtained at various wavelengths near the line center with the vector video magnetograph at Huairou Solar Observing Station as a diagnostic of chromospheric magnetic structures. The two-dimensional distribution of the circular polarization light of the H line with its blended lines at various wavelength in active regions was obtained, which consists of the analyses of Stokes' profileV of this line. Due to the disturbance of the photospheric blended line Fei 4860.98 for the measurement of the chromospheric magnetic field, a reversal in the chromospheric magnetograms relative to the photospheric ones occurs in the sunspot umbrae. But in the quiet, plage regions, even penumbrae, the influence of the photospheric blended Fei 4860.98 line is not obvious. As regards the observation of the H chromospheric magnetograms, we can select the working wavelength between -0.20 and -0.24 from the line core of H to avoid the wavelengths of the photospheric blended lines in the wing of H.After the spectral analysis of chromospheric magnetograms, we conclude that the distribution of the chromospheric magnetic field is similar to the photospheric field, especially in the umbrae of the sunspots. The chromospheric magnetic field is the result of the extension of the photospheric field.     

The equilibrium shape of slender flux tubes in a linear force-free magnetic field

In this paper we extend previous work of Browning and Priest (1984, 1986) by studying the equilibrium path of twisted and untwisted thin flux tubes in a stratified, isothermal atmosphere using as the ambient field a linear force-free field. When an untwisted flux tube is considered, we find that shearing the magnetic arcade provides a different form to change the parameter which characterizes the external atmosphere, but at the same time this introduces a limitation in the width allowed for the external arcade. Also, the critical width found for the different analytical cases considered is always greater than one arch of the ambient arcade which prevents an eruption inside the arcade. In the case of twisted flux tubes, an analytical solution can be found for the critical _c , which separates regimes of strong and weak gravity, and the shape of the flux tube is now dependent on , a parameter which represents the magnetic field enhancement of the loop at the photosphere.     

Theoretical restrictions on accretion disks

We construct a standard thin disk model taking into account the pressure from both gas and radiation, the opacity contributed by both electron scattering and absorption, and the gravity from both a central object and a disk. A simple and powerful technique for solving the non-linear equations is presented. Through a numerical algorithm for the two equationl for, , , all the disk quantities are expressed as the analytical function of, , . We also discuss the solutions in the limit cases 0, 1 and the parameter range of the linear approximation. From the numerical solutions and limit analyses, we found that it is not necessary to include the self-gravity of the disk.     

Magnetic Dips in Prominences

Magnetic dips are generally assumed to be basic equilibrium configurations in quiescent solar prominences. Here we discuss two types of the magnetic dips which were considered in the literature: (1) dips resulting from a force-free magnetic equilibrium in the corona, and (2) magnetic dips which are formed in situations where the Lorentz force balances the weight of the prominence plasma. An important parameter which decides between these two cases is the plasma . For 1, the effect of the prominence material on the equilibrium structure is quite negligible and the case (1) holds. If, however, is larger, say between 0.1 and 1 or even higher, magnetic dips of the second kind are formed and they can be characterized by the angle 1 between the vertical and the direction of the field lines at the surface of the prominence structure. A simple and illustratory formula is derived to relate this angle to the plasma at the prominence center, namely ccot21. c=1 thus corresponds to 1=45°. Finally, we discuss the range of values of both c and 1 as deduced from various observations and conclude that the dips of the second kind are important for the prominence equilibria. We also suggest a new method for determination of the field-line inclination.     

Models of clusters of point masses with large central redshifts

Conclusions In the Newtonian case we have obtained an isotropic self-consistent distribution of gravitationally interacting point masses which satisfies the transport equation without collisions, and the gravitational equation for an arbitrary powerfunction density distribution =r^–s, s<3.For =r^–2 the analogous self-consistent solution was obtained for the anisotropic distribution function both in Newtonian and GTR cases.The GTR solutions with =r^–2 have central redshifts which increase without limit in accordance with the law 1+zr^–1/ as we approach the center. In the isotropic case, they appear to be stable when the mean velocities are much less than the velocity of light u<0.2c, >21.The hydrodynamic GTR solution was found for a perfect gas at constant temperature (but variable T=T(g₀₀)^1/2) which also has z for r0.We should like to thank K. Thorne, L. Hazin, and M. Podurets for valuable discussions. K. Thorne was particularly helpful in supplying unpublished results on circular orbits obtained by American authors.Astrofizika, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 223–234, 1969     

Effects of Hall current on hydromagnetic free-convective flow through a porous medium

An analysis of the effects of Hall current on hydromagnetic free-convective flow through a porous medium bounded by a vertical plate is theoretically investigated when a strong magnetic field is imposed in a direction which is perpendicular to the free stream and makes an angle to the vertical direction. The influence of Hall currents on the flow is studied for various values of .Nomenclature c _p specific heat at constant pressure - e electrical charge - E Eckert number - E electrical field intensity - g acceleration due to gravity - G Grashof number - H ₀ applied magnetic field - H magnetic field intensity - (j _x , j _y , j _z ) components of current densityJ - J current density - K permeability of porous medium - M magnetic parameter - m Hall parameter - n _e electron number density - P Prandtl number - q velocity vector - (T, T _w , T ) temperature - t time - (u, v, w) components of the velocity vectorq - U ₀ uniform velocity - v ₀ suction velocity - (x, y, z) Cartesian coordinates Greek Symbols angle - coefficient of volume expansion - _e cyclotron frequency - frequency - dimensionless temperature - thermal conductivity - coefficient of viscosity - magnetic permeability - kinematic viscosity - mass density of fluid - _e charge density - electrical conductivity - _e electron collision time     

Collisional evolution of rotating,non-identical particles

Hämeen-Anttila's (1984) analytical treatment of self-gravitating collisional particle disks is extended to include the particle spin. The equations derived for the coupled evolution of random velocities and spins indicate that friction and surface irregularity typically reduce the local velocity dispersion. Friction, and especially irregularity, also transfer significant amounts of random kinetic energy, E _kin, to rotational energy, E _rot. The equilibrium ratio E _rot/E_kin = 2/(14 – 5) if the particles are spherical, and 2(1 + )/7 if they are irregular but frictionless, and being the coefficients of restitution and friction. These results are not only exact for identical, non-gravitating mass points, but are rather accurate even if finite size, self-gravitational forces, or size distribution are included. Applications to the dynamics of Saturn's rings suggest that the inclusion of rotation is able to reduce the geometrical thickness of the layer of centimeter-sized particles to about one half, at most. Large particles are less affected.On leave from Dept. of Astronomy, University of Oulu, 90570 Oulu, Finland.     

Reddening map around α Orionis

uvby photometry has been done for early-type stars in the surroundings of the shell star Ori. The reddening maps show the presence of irregularly distributed absorbing material.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

Zonal comparison of modern selenodetic reference systems

An account is given of the results of a comparison of existing basic selenodetic systems in the equatorial zone of the Moon together with plan and altitude data, which have been provided by means of a specially worked out method, based on the use of the LAC charts of the Moon (scale 1:1000000), and which does not require the presence of common catalogued reference points. It is shown that systematic differences of the form () for different catalogues are, on the whole, relatively small and do not exceed 2. Systematic differences of the form () have a minimum in the region = ± 20° and significantly increase towards the edges of the visible disk, where they may attain a value of 6 between catalogues. Random errors in latitude have on the whole, a similar behaviour in different catalogues, being practically independent of longitude and not exceeding 3. Random errors in longitude significantly increase towards the limb regions in all the studied catalogues, and may reach values of 6 to 8. Author's estimates of the accuracy of absolute heights in selenodetic catalogues is not always sufficiently precise; in certain cases it was found that the accuracy was underestimated by a factor of one and a half. The data on relative heights in the LAC charts are expressed with a vertical step of 300 m, errors in these values are of the order of 250 m for each step in height. As a result of the comparison a set of better points has been obtained forming a catalogue which may be referred to as LPL. The selection was made on the basis of magnitude and character of both the systematic and random errors.     

Stellar atmospheric velocity fields: The Beta Cephei variables γ Peg and β Cep

The shape parameters of a number of selected ultraviolet lines in BUSS-spectra of the Beta Cephei stars Peg and Cep have been analyzed to determine the principal parameters of the atmospheric velocity field. We find for both stars a fairly high value (5 km s^–1) for the microturbulent line-of-sight velocity component, which confirms an earlier result based on lower resolution UV spectra. Macroturbulent and rotational velocities are virtually zero in the atmosphere of Peg; for Cep we findv _rotsini=40 km s^–1.On leave from Akita University, Akita, Japan.     

Theβ index in cool stars

If we follow recent work and in order to extend theuvby photometric calibrations to spectral types later than G0, we present an attempt to use the combineduvby and systems for stars in the range G5-K7 and luminosity classes V to III.The behaviour in the MK-, (b–y)– and cl– diagrams of the 200 stars, only good spectroscopic data being considered, suggests the usefulness of the index as an independent parameter for late-type Main-Sequence stars, following in a natural way the general trend defined by Crawford for F- and G-type stars.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain     

Evaluation of a 256×256 Si:As IBC detector array for astronomy

256×256-element IBC Si:As arrays have been evaluated for applications in IR astronomy from space-borne platforms. Basic figures of merit were measured at IR flux levels simulating those expected in space-based astronomical observations. Results include dark current <20e ^-/s, G as high as 3.8, / of 20%, and read noise below 100 rms e^-.     

Infrared continuum observations of five-minute oscillations

Infrared continuum observations of the Sun at wavelengths between 10 and 30 show a nonisothermal response of the upper photosphere to compression waves associated with the five-minute oscillations. Observations were made with four broad-band filters with effective transmission wavelengths between 10 and 26 and with a 10 aperture. Further observations at submillimeter wavelengths with a 2 aperture did not resolve oscillatory fluctuations of five-minute period.Comparisons with velocity field data of Howard (1976) suggest that the relaxation time of the photosphere exceeds (300/2) seconds at the height of formation of the 26 continuum (_5000Å 10^-2). The photosphere reponds to 3 mHz oscillatory motion with considerably less compression than expected for simple acoustic modes in an adiabatically responsive atmosphere, confirming the evanescent character of the five-minute oscillations.     

Nuclear fissions inr andr-cooling processes

The effect of nuclear fissions occurring during ther-cooling stage is investigated. The initial conditions for ther-cooling process are derived from the final conditions of the dynamicalr-process. Neutron-excess nuclides in the region ofZ80 are all assumed to have finite probabilities for spontaneous fission, neutron-induced fission and -decay-induced fission. For the evaluation of the rates for delayed neutron emission, -decay-induced fission and -decay, three -decay theories—the Fermi theory, the Gross theory and the theory by Cameron, Delano and Truran—are used. It becomes clear that the -fissions and the symmetric spontaneous fissions duringr-cooling make a broad abundance peak of fission products, centring aroundA=128, whose effect is hidden by ther-abundance peak atA130. Asymmetric spontaneous fissions can form an apparent abundance peak atA105, with the position of this peak just corresponding to the position of the anomalous hump observed in ther-abundance curve. To explain the abundance of this observed hump by spontaneous fissions, ther-process must take place under conditions such that the number of free neutrons available for one seed nucleus is large enough to make the cyclicr-process, and that the final neutron-capture-path goes through the region of (neutron binding energy in the nuclei on the capture-path) 2 MeV.     

Spectrophotometry of some Be stars

The continuum energy distribution of six Be stars, namely 25 Cyg, 31 Peg, HR 8758, 14 Lac, 12 Vul, and Psc, in the wavelength region 3200–7800 Å, are presented. Comparing the observed energy distributions with those of theoretical models given by Kurucz (1979), their effective temperatures are determined.A near-infrared excess emission at wavelengths above 6000 Å is seen in most of the stars.