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.     

Spectrophotometric observations and evolutionary status of ten Be stars

The continuum energy distribution data of ten Be stars — namely, HR 1761, HR 1786, HR 1820, Ori, Ori, OT Gem, Lyr, HR 7983, Cyg, and 59 Cyg — have been presented in the wavelength range 3200–8000 Å. The observed energy distribution curve shows near infrared excess for majority of Be stars and a double Balmer jump for HR 8047 and HR 8146. Empirical effective temperatures of these stars have been estimated by comparing the observed continuum energy distributions with that of computed theoretical models given by Kurucz (1979).On the basis of an HR diagram with evolutionary tracks for different solar masses the masses of these Be stars have been estimated. Position of these studied stars on the HR diagram suggests that these Be stars may be in the stage of core contraction after exhausting hydrogen at the centre and have undergone hydrogen exhaustion in the thick shell.     

Isotopic abundances of silicon in four red giants

High-resolution spectra near 4 m of the four red giants— Peg,o ¹ Ori, 10 Dra, and HR 1105—have been analysed to obtain estimates of the²⁸Si/²⁹Si and²⁸Si/³⁰Si abundance ratios. For Peg and the S star HR 1105, the²⁸Si/²⁹Si ratio is close to the solar ratio (²⁸Si/²⁹Si=20).²⁹Si appears to be underabundant in the MS staro ¹ Ori (²⁸Si/²⁹Si=40) and the M star 10 Dra (²⁸Si/²⁹Si53). The³⁰Si isotope appears to be underabundant by, perhaps, about a factor of 2 in all four stars.     

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.     

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     

Spectral and Photoelectric Studies of the Herbig Ae/Be Star HD 259431

Spectral and photoelectric (ubvy, H, H) observations of the Herbig Ae/Be star HD 259431 are reported. It is found that as its brightness fades, this star becomes bluer in the Paschen continuum and the intensity and equivalent width of the hydrogen emission lines increase. The spectral observations reveal significant variations in the intensity of the Mg II 4481 Å photospheric absorption line. A rise and fall in the luminosity by 0^m.04 within a period of 5-7 minutes was recorded. Radical variations in the H lineshape ("double" "P Cyg") and flare activity are not only observed in this star, but also in a number of HAEBE stars. It is suggested that flare activity may initiate a change in the velocity gradient at the base of the wind and, thereby, induce "double P Cyg" or "P Cyg single" transitions. The nonradial pulsations of this star are also discussed.     

Scanner observations of the Be starsν Gem,κ Ori,β Mon andω CMa

The photoelectric spectrophotometric scans of the Be stars Gem, Ori, Mon and CMa have been analyzed to find out few stellar parameters. The absolute energy distributions of these stars in the wavelength range 350–750 nm have been given. Their effective temperatures and gravities have been estimated from comparisons with non-LTE model atmospheres. The stars Gem and Mon have been found to have Balmer discontinuities in emission. The excess emission in the region 620–750 nm has been observed for Mon and CMa. The evolutionary aspects of these stars are discussed and their masses have been estimated.     

Spectroscopic Study of a Large Sample of Galaxies Discovered in the Second Byurakan Survey Fields

The Second Byurakan Survey (SBS) is a well known combined survey, which uses the presence of UV-excess radiation in the continuum, or the presence of emission-lines in the spectra for the identification of active and star-forming galaxies. This paper reports on a comparative study of 77 galaxies identified with UV-excess, and 34 galaxies identified via emission-line techniques in the fields of the SBS. The spectroscopic parameters used for the comparison are the [OII]3727/H and [OIII]5007/H emission-lines ratios, the equivalent widths of [OII]3727, [OIII]5007 and H emission-lines, and the C _[OII]-C _H index. Spectroscopic parameters as well as new redshifts were determined from the spectra obtained with the 6m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia). The main results are: 1) Galaxies discovered via UV-excess technique are preferably more active. 2) Galaxies discovered via emission-line technique are preferably high-excitation low-luminosity star-forming galaxies. 3) UV-excess galaxies with faintest UV-excess radiation are likely candidates to be LINER or Sy2 type objects.     

Blind operation of optical astronomical interferometers options and predicted performance

Maximum sensitivity for optical interferometers is achieved only when the optical pathlengths between the different arms can be equalized without using interference fringes on the research object itself. This is called blind operation of the interferometer. In this paper I examine different options to achieve this, focussing on the application to the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). It is proposed that blind operation should be done using a so-called coherence autoguider, working on an unresolved star of magnitude V=11 to 13 within the isoplanatic patch for coherencing, which has a diameter of about 1 degree. Estimates of limiting magnitudes for the VLTI are also derived.     

Echelle-mepsicron time-resolved spectroscopy of the dwarf nova SS Cygni

High dispersion time-resolved spectrograms of the dwarf nova SS Cygni, obtained with the Echelle-Mepsicron system, show double peaked emission lines with a complex profile. The intensity of the H line appears to be modulated by the orbital period. Radial velocity measurements of the wings of H and of the absorption line system of the late-type star yield semiamplitude values of K_em=101±6 km s^–1 and K_ab=151±7 km s^–1, respectively. Radial velocity measurements of the blue and red peaks and of the central absorption of H reveal a synchronous movement with the broad wings, although there is some evidence of a narrow component probably associated with a hot spot in the disk or a chromospheric emission line from the secondary star. The H modulation, the double profile and recently discovered UBV light variations support an inclination angle i 50°. The masses of the primary are M_p=0.60 M and M_s=0.40 M, respectively. A detailed analysis of the absorption lines reveals a spectral type of K2V.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

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.     

Rapid simultaneous observations of Feii and Balmer emission lines of X Oph

Sudden brightening of FeII and Balmer (H and H) lines of X Oph was observed on 28–29 May, 1986. Equivalent width of FeII and H lines increased by a factor of two and that for H line by a factor of four, during the brigtening phase of the star. This brightening phenomena has been explained in the framework of Coronal Radiative Instability.     

Effect of cavitation on spherical blast waves

For spherical blast waves propagating through a self-gravitating gas with an energy inputE =E ₀ t , whereE is the energy released up to timet,E ₀ is a functional constant, and is a constant, kinetic, internal heat, and gravitational potential energies have been computed. Taking the parameterA ², which characterises the gravitational field, equal to 2, variations of the percentages of these energies for =0, 1/2, 4/3, and 3 with shock strength have been presented. For =3, the effect of cavitation on the percentages of kinetic energy and internal heat energies has been explored.     

Rosat X-ray light curves of early-type stars

We have investigated ROSAT X-ray data of OB stars to search for evidence of time variability in the X-ray emission from early-type stars. As an example for such studies we present a detailed variability analysis for our two program stars Ori and Ori which have been multiply observed with ROSAT. The long-term analysis of both stars now covers a time range of 2.5 years and includes six pointed PSPC observations, an additional pointed HRI observation of Ori and the ROSAT all-sky survey data of both stars. Over a long time range the X-ray light curves of Ori and Ori show no evidence for variability. In the case of Ori we detected a moderate increase in X-ray count rate during a period of 2 days which can be explained as a strong shock propagating in the wind of an O-type star.     

Quantum theory of the dielectric constant of a magnetized plasma and astrophysical applications

A quantum mechanical treatment of an electron plasma in a constant and homogeneous magnetic field is considered, with the aim of (a) defining the range of validity of the magnetoionic theory (b) studying the deviations from this theory, in applications involving high densities, and intense magnetic field. While treating the magnetic field exactly, a perturbation approach in the photon field is used to derive general expressions for the dielectric tensor . The properties of are explored in the various limits. Numerical estimates on the range of applicability of the magnetoionic theory are given for the case of the one-dimensional electron gas, where only the lowest Landau level is occupied.     

Rediscussion of balmer decrement of broad-line radio-galaxies

On the basis of the erenkov line emission theory in the optically thick case, a new interpretation of intensity ratios H/H and H/H in broad-line radio-galaxies (BLRGs) is reported. Calculation shows that if the theoretical ratio H/H is just taken to be the mean observed value 0.21, equivalently, the parameterX(H)=3.0, then the expected ratio H/H=6.70 is almost the same as the observations. By comparing these values with the previous investigations of QSOs (X(H)=20.9), we conclude that the number density of neutral hydrogen gas in BLRGs is almost one order-of-magnitude smaller than that in the QSOs.Preliminary verification of the erenkov line emission has been obtained by Xuet al. (1981) in the laboratory.     

A strong limitation on the rapidity of flux-pile-up reconnection

The reconnection rate which can be achieved in the steady-state flux-pile-up regime is severely limited by the gas pressure of the plasma. Using the family of solutions obtained previously by Priest and Forbes, we show that the Alfvén Mach number of the plasma flowing towards the reconnection site cannot exceed _e/(8 ln R _me), where _e and R _me are the plasma and magnetic Reynolds numbers at large distance. This limit corresponds to a very weak flux-pile-up, and it is a factor of _e slower than the maximum Petschek rate. Thus the maximum flux-pile-up reconnection rate in the corona is at least two orders of magnitude smaller than the rate implied by flare observations.     

The BM Ori System. I. Anomaly in the Radial Velocity

The radial velocities of the star BM Ori are determined from spectra obtained by the HST and IUE satellites, as well as from spectra obtained with the BTA telescope. An analysis of this data shows that the radial velocities of the main star and its satellite experience an irregular positive shift by 20-30 km/s. This fact can only be interpreted in terms of the presence of yet another star in the binary system. The new observations have made it possible to significantly improve the accuracy of the spectroscopic elements of the orbit of the close binary system and to estimate the orbital characteristics of the third body. The preliminary values of the elements are: Ep=JD2444744, P=1302^d, =11km/s, e=0.92, K=20km/s, and =1.6rad.     

Spectroscopic study of Hα-emission objects in IC 1396

Spectral observations of 53 H-emission objects of the HII-region IC 1396 were carried out with moderate resolution using the 2.6m telescope of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. Factor analysis of this observational material indicates that there are two dominant factors. Factor 1 (Fig. 1), which is the more significant factor, resembles the spectrum of a star of spectral type F5 with a strong H line in absorption. Factor 2 (Fig. 2), in contrast, appears as a later-type spectrum with H and H in emission. The result obtained can be explained by the transient nature of the H-emission.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 3, 1994.     

Global photometric observations and physical properties ofHii regions in the small magellanic cloud

Integrated photoelectric measurements of the equivalent widthW _H, the [Oiii]/H ratio and the H emission line flux were obtained for 30Hii regions in the SMC. Physical properties of theHii regions and their ionizing stellar associations were derived. Some aspects of the recent star formation in the SMC and the evolution ofHii regions are discussed.