The innermost corona observed at the 1973 June 30 eclipse

Slitless flash spectrograms in heights below 8000 km above the solar limb were obtained by the University of Kyoto Expedition at Atar, Mauritania. The integrated intensities of Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374, Fexi 7892, and the continuum are measured as a function of height above the solar limb at eleven points (P.A. = 284–300°) around the third contact point. It is found that a significant amount of the emission in Fex 6374 originates in chromospheric levels well below 8000 km. This implies that the interspicular region of the chromosphere is occupied by coronal material. The average values of the electron temperature and the electron density in the interspicular region are derived from the Fex 6374 and the Fexi 7892 intensities on the assumption of spherical symmetry: T _e = 0.9–1.1 × 10⁶ K and N _e = 9–10 × 10⁸ cm^–3. The intensity variations of the coronal lines and the continuum with position angle are also studied. Strong correlations between Fexiv 5303 and the continuum and between Fex 6374 and Fexi 7892 are found. From the Fex 6374 intensities it is inferred that there is a density fluctuation in the innermost corona by at least a factor of two.Contributions from the Kwasan and Hida Observatories, University of Kyoto, No. 271.     

A coronal condensation observed at the total solar eclipse of June 11, 1983 and a related transient prominence

A coronal condensation was observed simultaneously with Fexiv 5303, Fex 6374, Fe xi 7892, and H filtergraphs. The size and shape of the condensation in 5303 are different from those in other filtergrams. H filtergrams taken around the eclipse time show that a small transient prominence exists in close proximity to the condensation core and behaves like a post-flare loop system, though the appearance is quite different and no flare-report exists. A small-scale energetic phenomenon seems to have occurred at the top of magnetic loops.Contributions from the Kwasan and Hida Observatories, University of Kyoto, No. 285.     

Potential models of the unipolar sunspot magnetic field

The potential models of the unipolar sunspot magnetic field are calculated on the basis of magnetographic measurements of the magnetic field made in the three spectral lines of different intensities, H, Cai 6103 and Fei 4808. The computed distributions of the magnetic field vector are compared with actual distributions observed at these three levels. It is shown that the electric current density in the spot reaches values up to 10⁵ CGSE in the volume contained between formation depths of two pairs of lines, Fei 4808-Cai 6103 and Fei 4808 - H. Therefore, the magnetic field of the spot deviates strongly from a potential configuration. To the contrary, at higher levels, in the semi-infinite volume restricted at the bottom by the hydrogen H-line, the field appears to be quite close to a potential one.     

WR stars with the Ovi λλ3811, 3834 emission doublet

The catalog of the classical WR stars which have the emission doublet Ovi 3811, 3834 in their optical spectra (the catalog of the WR-Ovi stars) and the results of the spectroscopic investigations of the WR-Ovi stars HD 16523, HD 17638, and HD 192103 are presented. Rapid spectral variability of the emission doublet Ovi 3811, 3834 in the spectra of WR-Ovi stars HD 16523, HD 17638, and of the emission band 3680-3780 Å in the spectra of the WR-Ovi star HD 16523 is observed. It is shown that spectral sub-types of the stars HD 16523 and HD 17638 as estimated from different criteria are uncertain. We argue that the WR-Ovi stars HD 16523 and HD 17638, the optical spectra of which display emission doublet Ovi 3811, 3834, may be considered as WO5 stars. The sub-type WO5 is proposed for the first time. Classification criteria of the WO5 sub-type are represented. The possible contribution of the ions Heii to the emission at 3811 Å and 3834 Å is investigated. Thez-distributions of WR-Ovi stars and WR stars with the probable relativistic companions are found to be similar.     

The structure of the broad line region in Fairall 9

We find that the profile changes observed for the UV emission lines L,Civ 1549, and MgIII 2798, in the Seyfert 1 galaxy Fairall 9 occur mainly near the line centre for L andCiv and in the wings for MgIII. These results indicate that the broad line region (BLR) has a complex structure, possibly with non-spherical components.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.     

A comparison of solar EUV intensities and K-coronameter measurements

Characteristics of the emission observed above the solar limb in four EUV lines, Sixii 499, Mgx 625, Neviii 770, and Ovi 1032 are discussed. The mean temperature of the corona derived from the ratios of the intensities of Sixii 499 and Mgx 625 is 1.8 million K. There do not appear to be significant temperature differences in regions with low EUV intensities and those with high EUV intensities, suggesting that the EUV emission from the lithium-like ions depends primarily on the integral of n _e ² along the line of sight.The EUV data are compared with K-coronameter measurements in order to yield new estimates of the abundances of Si, Mg, Ne and O relative to hydrogen. Within the uncertainties of the analysis, these coronal abundances are in agreement with the corresponding photospheric values.     

The neutral interface adjoining theHII region DR21

Observations of C100 and C125 atomic carbon recombination lines were made at the Algonquin Radio Observatory, towards the neutral interface separating theHii region DR21 (at RA=20^h37^m14^s, Dec=+42°0900) from its associated molecular cloud. An analysis of the Cn observations in conjunction with a simple model of a neutral interface enabled the derivation of the following parameters: electron density of 300 cm^–3, electron temperature of 30 K, microturbulent velocity of 2.3 km s^–1, and depth of the neutral interface of 0.01 pc. A single,stimulated emission model is sufficient to reproduce the Cn observations in the wavelength range from 4.6 cm (C100) to 21 cm (C166). All the known Cn data do support a pressure equilibrium between the neutral interface and theHii region, after the usual allowance is made for carbon depletion on grains.     

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 observed limb effect in Fraunhofer lines,I

The absolute limb effect is presented for Fei lines 3767 and 3969; for five Tii lines of multiplet 42 near 4535 and one Tiii line at 4534; two lines of Mgi, 4571 and 5172; two lines of Baii at 5854 and 6497. The scattered light of the McMath solar telescope is illustrated by several figures but not applied to the limb-effect observations. It is suggested that the supergravity shift at the limb is the result of scattering of the atoms in anisotropic velocity field.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

Monochromatic observations of planetary nebulae

Monochromatic images in H, H, [Nii] 6584, [Sii] 6717, and [Oiii] 5007 lines are presented for a morphological study of planetary nebulae. Narrow bandpass (=5 to 10Å) interference filters are generally used in order to discriminate peculiar structures existing in different emission lines. However, large bandwidths (=50 Å) along with long exposures, are also necessary in searching for faint nebulosities associated with planetaries.Three faint objects of the Abell's list of old planetary nebulae have been observed through narrow band filters, by means of an image tube (A33, A36 in Chile) or the image photon counting device (A79 at the Haute Provence Observatory). Following the H/[Nii] intensity ratio, a discussion is given about the distance previously derived with some assumptions concerning the measured red fluxes.     

A new type of a photoelectric magnetograph

The electro-optic deflector as an analyzer of circular polarization in the photoelectric magnetograph is described. The electro-optic deflector consists of an electro-optic crystal and a polarizing beamsplitter. The plane bifurcation of this beamsplitter coincides with the spectrograph dispersion direction. The beamsplitter bifurcates a spectral line in two components. The distance between them is ₀. The photometer slit is situated between these components. Both components of Zeeman splitting fall on the photometer slit but the distance between them varies from ₀ + 2 _H to ₀ – 2 _H (where _H is the Zeeman splitting) with the electric voltage frequency applied to the electro-optic crystal. The intensity variations at the photometer slit are proportional to 4 _H .     

Distribution of polarization and intensity of radiation across the stellar disk and numberical values of atmospheric characteristics governing this distribution

Computations of polarization and intensity of radiation from a unit stellar surface area are presented, as well as a study of the numerical characteristics of atmospheres — single-scattering albedo and the initial source function(), which define the polarization behaviour of atmospheres. The radiatively stable models of stellar atmospheres presented by Kuruczet al. (1974) and Kurucz (1979) have been used for calculations. Since the versus optical depth dependence is rather weak, it has been assumed that (=cost. With a fixed effective temperatureT _eff maximum values of are characteristic of stars featuring the lowest surface gravity accelerationg. Among stars with radiatively stable atmospheres, maximum values of (=5000 Å) 0.4–0.6 are exhibited by supergiants withT _eff=8000–20 000 K. The plot of () is characterized by discontinuities at the boundaries of spectral series for hydrogen and, sometimes, for helium. Maximum are attained in the Lyman region of =912–1200 Å, where can reach the value 0.7–0.9 for supergiants, this value being 0.3 for Main-Sequence stars. For stars withT _eff 35 000 K, high values of also are attained for <912 Å. Within the infrared region, is always small because of bremsstrahlung absorption.A rapid growth of the source functionB with < typical for ultraviolet range (within the Wien part of spectrum), together with high values of results in the strong polarization of emission from a unit stellar surface element, sometimes exceeding the values for the case of a pure electron scattering. For longer wavelengths, where the limb-darkening coefficient is smaller, the plane of polarization abruptly turns 90° in the central parts of the visible stellar disk.     

Narrow band CCD imagery of southern galaxies in strong lines and continua: NGC 613

CCD narrow band imagery of the southern barred spiral NGC 613 has been obtained in the light of H, H, [Oiii] 5007 Å, [Oii] (3726+29) Å and continua at 3765, 5230, and 6500 Å. Absolute fluxes have been obtained for the lines H and [Oiii] 5007 Å and continua at 5230 and 6500 Å. Distribution of ages, monochromatic colour vs absolute brightness and [Oiii]/H are 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.     

The polarization of coronal emission lines

By means of a photographic polarimeter, we attempted to measure both the amount and direction of linear polarization of all emission lines between 3400 and 9000 Å in the inner corona (1.034 r/r ₀ 1.085). Only the green and red coronal lines have been analyzed in detail. Neither of these lines shows polarization exceeding the probable error of 1.0% for 5303 and 1.8% for 6374. None of the other 17 coronal lines observed during the 7 March, 1970 solar eclipse show any obvious (>5%) polarization.Presently at the Sacramento Peak Observatory.     

The observed limb effect in Fraunhofer lines,II

In this paper the absolute limb effect for a number of Fraunhofer lines observed at the McMath Solar Observatory is given. Results, uncorrected for scattered light, are given for the following lines: Fei 37334.9, 3735.3, 5123.7, 5250.2, 5434.5, 6678.0, and 8886.6. Additional lines observed are five lines of CN 3876.3–3880.0, two lines of Cai 6161.3 and 6162.2, one line of Nai, 6160.7, and one CN line (7957.0) of the red system.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

Physical conditions in NGC 6164-5

From spectroscopic observations of the emission lines H, 4959 and 5007[Oiii], H, 6584[Nii], 6717 and 6731[Sii] and some interferometric data in H and [Nii] it was established that NGC 6164 and NGC 6165 have characteristics of normal Hii regions for Ne and Te. They are embedded in a very tenuous medium nearly coincident with the Strömgren sphere of the central star HD 148937, corresponding to the outer peripheral structure described by Westerlund. Variations of the relative abundances of N, O, and S are discussed.     

Area variation with temperature of supergranule network features in the solar transition zone

Areas of network emission features in C ii 1135, C iii 977, O iv 544 and O vi 1032 were measured in and out of coronal holes. In the quiet Sun these areas, on the average, showed a 20% increase between C ii and O vi. In the coronal holes there was no significant average variation, but a number of the features showed an interesting decrease in area at intermediate temperatures.     

Monochromatic photographs of giantHii regions in the Magellanic Clouds

Narrow band-pass direct photographs have been secured of the central region of 30 Doradus and of several other nebulosities in the Magellanic Clouds. We have utilized an image tube camera attached to the Yale one-meter telescope at the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory. Interference filters whose band passes were selected to allow for the radial velocities of the Magellanic Clouds have been utilized to record monochromatic images of [Nii] 6584, H, Hei 5876, and [Oiii] 5007. In 30 Doradus the main filamentary structures appear to be very similar in H, Hei, [Nii], and [Oiii] at least in the inner regions where most spectroscopic measurements have been made. The features appear to be material bounded rather than radiation bounded and the excitation differences are very small. Likewise, in NGC 346 in the Small Magellanic Cloud the [Oiii] and H images are very similar, but in N44 in the Large Magellanic Cloud excitation differences do appear. The implications of these observations for chemical compositions of nebulosities in the Magellanic Clouds would appear to be that spectroscopic and scanner studies should be supplemented by monochromatic photographs. Some nebulosities can be handled by simple models while for others excitation differences must be taken into account.Guest investigators at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy under contract with the National Science Foundation     

The high-dispersion continuous ultraviolet solar spectrum and the Balmer-jump

Among the intensities, determined at about 200 wavelengths between 3000 and 4100 Å in the spectrum of the centre of the sun's disk (Houtgast, 1965), the 32 highest ones (windows) were plotted and compared with absolute intensities given by other authors.The intensities in between the Fraunhofer lines from 3600 to 4000 Å, as determined here for the first time with high dispersion, reveal a detailed picture of several absorption features, one of which can be attributed to a Balmer jump of 0.03, a value in accordance with that found for stars and in agreement with the strengths of the high Balmer lines.The much higher value of the Balmer jump for the sun, as quoted in literature, in reality refers to the total intensity jump between 4000 and 3600 Å, which is mainly due to the crowding of Fraunhofer lines.