The numerical evaluation of theH-functions of radiative transfer in active amplifying media

The present paper contains extensive tables of the values of theH-functionH(z,<0) and of the moments ofQ(x) (in terms of which the moments ofH(z, ) can be determined) appropriate for transfer of radiation in active amplifying media in which<0. These values have been computed correct to the 7th decimal place for values of in the range (–10^–12)-(–10³⁰) and for values of z[0,1] with the aid of a 48-point gaussian quadrature formula.     

The interrelationship between cosmic dust and the microwave background

Attention is given to the radiation of microwaves by charged dust in space. Presently-used particle distributions do not restrict the presence in space of large numbers of small (r<10^–6 cm) silicate grains, but it is shown that such densities (10^–25–10^–26 g cm^–3) of small grains would produce a microwave background with an energy density of the same order of magnitude as the energy density of the (presumed) cosmological 3 K background. Limits set by the isotropy of the latter are: (HI clouds)10^–26, (Galactic plane)10^–30, (Halo)10^–32, (Local Group)10^–34 g cm^–3. These limits imply that either there is a cutoff in particle distributions atr10^–6 cm, or that the density of silicate grains in space has been generally overestimated, or that cosmic rays have broken up a lot of grains so that they now form a population of grains of very small size (10^–7 cm) which are difficult to detect by conventional methods. One way to look for the latter population is by studying expected distortions of the 3 K spectrum to the short wavelength side of the portion hitherto observed (grains may have a size distribution able to give an approximate black-body curve for radiation from larger grains of 10^–6 cm size), and by testing the effective energy density of the 3 K field in other galaxies.     

A maximal background spectrum of gravitational radiation

A maximal spectrum of gravitational radiation from sources outside our galaxy is calculated. The sources are galaxies, quasars and events that occur in the early history of the universe. The major contribution is from galaxies whose effect extends over the frequency region 10^–810⁺⁴Hz, peaking at 10^–110 Hz, with a spectral flux of 10 erg cm^–2, s^–1. The main processes of gravitational radiation in the galaxies are stellar collapse into a black hole and dying binary systems. In the region 10^–410⁴ Hz the background spectrum is well above the detection levels of currently proposed detectors. FromMinimal considerations of this spectrum it is determined that the density of gravitational radiation is 10^–39g cm^–3. This background spectrum is sensitive to galactic evolution and especially sensitive to the upper mass limits and mass distribution of stars in galactic models. Therefore, the spectrum could provide information about galactic evolution complementary to that obtained by electromagnetic investigations.     

Annihilation radiation from a power-law distributed electron-positron plasma on the ground Landau level: the case of low magnetic fields

Intensity, polarization, and cooling rate of the two-photon annihilation radiation are studied in detail in the case of one-dimensional power-law distributions of electrons and positrons, assuming that they occupy the ground Landau level in a strong magnetic fieldB10¹⁰–10¹² G. Simple analytical expressions for limiting cases are obtained and results of numerical calculations of radiation characteristics are presented. Power-lawe ^± distributions _{± ±} ^–k are shown to generate power-law spectra of the annihilation radiation atEmc ² andEmc ², with indices depending on the direction of radiation. The annihilation spectra at =0 show the largest blue-shifts of their maxima and the hardest high-energy tailsI(Emc ², =0)E ^–(k–1). The blue-shifts reduce, and the hard tials steepen, with increasing . At >(2mc ²/E)^1/2 the slopes of the high-energy tails rapidly transform to that at =2,I(Emc ², =/2)E ^–(2k+3). The direction-integrated spectraS(E) also display the power-law tials at low and high energies,S(Emc ²)E ^–(k+1). The total annihilation rate and energy losses decrease with decreasingk, being higher than for the isotropice ^± power-law distributions at the samek. The radiation is linearly polarized in the plane formed by the magnetic field and wave-vector. The polarization degreeP is maximum atEmc ²:P _max0.6 for =/2. Annihilation features and power-law-like hard tails observed in many gamma-ray burst spectra may be associated with the annihilation radiation of the magnetized power-law distributed plasma near neutron stars. Comparison of the observed and theoretical spectra allows one to estimate the power-law index of thee ^– e ⁺-distribution and the gravitational redshift factor in the radiating region.     

Is the ‘superhot’ hard x-ray component in solar flares consistent with a thermal source?

It has been shown by Brown and Emslie (1988) that any optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung source must emit an energy spectrumL () (keV s^–1 keV^–1) which has the property that higher derivatives alternate in sign, i.e., (–) ^j L(^j)() > 0 for allj. In this short note, we apply this test to the superhot component discussed by Linet al. (1981) in order to determine whether a strictly thermal interpretation of this component is valid. We find that all statistically significant higher derivatives do indeed have the correct sign; this strengthens the identification of this component as due to a thermal source.Presidential Young Investigator.     

The charge and energy spectra of heavy cosmic-ray nuclei

A charged particle detector array flown on a high altitude balloon has detected and measured some 3×10⁴ cosmic-ray nuclei withZ12. The charge spectrum at the top of the atmosphere for nuclei withE>650 MeV·n^–1 and the energy spectrum for 650E<1800 MeV·n^–1 are reported and compared with previously published results. The charge spectrum at the source of cosmic rays is deduced from these data and compared with a recent compilation of galactic abundances.     

Understanding Solar Flare Waiting-Time Distributions

The observed distribution of waiting times t between X-ray solar flares of greater than C1 class listed in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) catalog exhibits a power-law tail (t) for large waiting times (t>10hours). It is shown that the power-law index varies with the solar cycle. For the minimum phase of the cycle the index is =–1.4±0.1, and for the maximum phase of the cycle the index is –3.2±0.2. For all years 1975–2001, the index is –2.2±0.1. We present a simple theory to account for the observed waiting-time distributions in terms of a Poisson process with a time-varying rate (t). A common approximation of slow variation of the rate with respect to a waiting time is examined, and found to be valid for the GOES catalog events. Subject to this approximation the observed waiting-time distribution is determined by f(), the time distribution of the rate . If f() has a power-law form for low rates, the waiting time-distribution is predicted to have a power-law tail (t)^–(3+) (>–3). Distributions f() are constructed from the GOES data. For the entire catalog a power-law index =–0.9±0.1 is found in the time distribution of rates for low rates (<0.1hours ^–1). For the maximum and minimum phases power-law indices =–0.1±0.5 and =–1.7±0.2, respectively, are observed. Hence, the Poisson theory together with the observed time distributions of the rate predict power-law tails in the waiting-time distributions with indices –2.2±0.1 (1975–2001), –2.9±0.5 (maximum phase) and –1.3±0.2 (minimum phase), consistent with the observations. These results suggest that the flaring rate varies in an intrinsically different way at solar maximum by comparison with solar minimum. The implications of these results for a recent model for flare statistics (Craig, 2001) and more generally for our understanding of the flare process are discussed.     

Existence of the continuations in theN-body problem

The method of obtaining the estimates of the maximalt-interval ( _–, ₊) on which the solution of theN-body problem exists and which is such that some fixed mutual distance (e. g. ₁₂) exceeds some fixed non-negative lower bound, for allt contained in ( _–, ₊), is considered. For given masses and initial data, the increasing sequences of the numbers _k , each of which provides the estimate ₊ > _k , are constructed. It appears that if ₊ = +, then .     

A momentum distribution of high energy particles around Crab pulsar

We determine the momentum distribution of the relativistic particles near the Crab pulsar from the observed X- and -ray spectra (10³10⁹ eV), provided that the curvature radiation is responsible for it. The power law spectrum for the relativistic electrons,f() ^–5, reproduces a close fit to the observed high-energy photon spectrum. The theoretically determined upper limit to the momentum (due to radiation damping), _M 8×10⁶, corresponds to the upper cut-off energy of the -ray spectrum, 10⁹ eV. The lower limit to the momentum, _m 1.8×10⁵, is chosen such that flattening of the X-ray spectrum below 10 keV is simulated. The number density of these electrons is found to be much higher than the Goldreich-Julian density. We also discuss pulse shape and polarization of high-energy photons. The extremely high density of particles and the steep momentum spectrum are difficult to understand. This may imply that another, more efficient, mechanism is in operation.     

B,V surface photometry of the UV continuum galaxy NGC 838

Surface photometry of the UV continuum galaxy NGC 838 has been carried out in theB, V system using photographic plates obtained with the 74 Kottamia telescope, Egypt. Isophotes, luminosity profiles, integrated photographic magnitudes, effective diameters and other photometric parameters are derived.The photoelectrically calibrated total apparent magnitudes areB _T =13.57 with maximum diameters 1.57×1.34 (at threshold _m =27.7 mag.//) andV _T =12.91 with maximum diameters 1.54×1.32 (at threshold _m =27.7 mag./). The integrated colour index(B–V) _T =0.66 and the effective surface brightness _e (B=19.0 mag./) and _e (V=19.7 mag./. The major axis is at position angle =85°±1°.The nucleus of NGC 838 is quite blue (integrated colour(B–V)=0.41 forr ^*<0.1) compared to normal galaxies while the colour becomes redder from the nucleus outwards. The UV excess, H emission and radio continuum emission previously observed from this galaxy by other investigators may be attributed to a recent burst of star formation in the nucleus of the galaxy of duration slightly greater than 2×10⁷ yr.     

High accuracy precession measurement with an autometric gyro

A simple reticle with parallel equally spaced lines to transmit light in an autometric gyro is shown to give a signal which can be used for very accurate angular precession measurements. Frequency analysis of the signal is chosen over time domain analysis and/or over a specially designed reticle.Gyro precession will induce a change in the interference structure of the spectrum in addition to dilating the overall frequency distribution. The expected output spectrum has been analytically determined, exhibiting the dependence on spot and reticle line cross sections and line spacing so that they can be precisely determined from the output data.The spectrum structure is extremely sensitive to precession. Computer simulations indicate that accuracy will be limited by reticle line spacing variations to ±4×10^–9 rad. This would allow a Lense-Thirring precession measurement accurate to ±20% in 30 days (accuracy being limited by physical effects common to all such experiments) or a ±1% de Sitter precession measurement in four days.Nomenclature a _n() Fourier coefficients ofI() - a _n ^r () rapidly varying part ofa _n() - a _m ^x ,b _m ^x Fourier coefficients ofI(x) - a (),b () Fourier sine and cosine transforms of _x(x) - angle between star and gyro spin axis - ₀ initial alignment angle - f focal length of optical system - I transmitted light intensity, signal function - l reticle line width - r distance from light spot center - R light-circle radius - = reduced light-circle radius - ₀ reduced reticle center-spin center offset - s reticle line space - T(x) reticle transmission function - angle of gyro rotation - w _g gyro angular velocity This work was supported by the M.I.T. Center for Space Research under NASA Grant NGL-22-009-019.     

The application of a non-static spherically-symmetric metric to clusters of galaxies

An approximate metric is found which represents a sphere of matter embedded in a background of dust. The use of this metric in conjunction with the Friedmann equations gives values of for the three possible values ofk as +6×10^–36 (k=+1), +3×10^–35 (k=0), +10^–36 (k=–1). These values depend on data regarding clusters of galaxies, and are probably accurate to within an order of magnitude given the correctness of the assumptions on which their derivation rests.     

Quantum effects in cyclotron plasma absorption

It is shown that X-ray radiation of neutron stars with magnetic fieldsB=10¹¹–10¹³ G near cyclotron resonances=s _B (s=1,2,...) is deeply affected by such quantum effects as electron-positron vacuum polarization (significant at V=3×10²⁸ n _e ^–1 (B/B _C ⁴)1, whereB _C =4.4×10¹³G), the quantizing character of the magnetic field (significant atV=3 x 10²⁸ n _e ^–1 (B/B _c)⁴1 whereB _c =4.4 x 10¹³G), the non-harmonic character of the Landau levels, and the quantum recoil of electrons. The latter two factors shift the resonances by the frequency –s ² _B (B/2B _c )sin², being the angle between the direction of radiation propagation and the magnetic field. IfVV ₀ (for 1,V ₀^–1=(mc ²/2T)^1/2), the normal mode (NM) polarizations, as well as the absorption coefficientk ₁ of the extraordinary NM in the Doppler core of the first resonance (|–| _B cos ), is only slightly affected by varyingb and/orV, whereas for the ordinary NM (at 1)k ₂k ₁ ²[b + (3 + tan²–2V)²]k ₁. For sufficiently largeb and/orV the quantum effects amplify resonant absorption of the ordinary NM at _B , with spin-flip transitions playing a major role atb1+V ². IfVV ₀, the coefficientsk ₁ andk ₂ in the Doppler core of the resonance are of the same order and acquire some peculiar features (shifts, intersections, etc.), with the NM polarizations depending sharply on and being strongly non-orthogonal. AtVV ₀,k ₂=k ₁(cos² +B/2B _C ) and the polarizations are almost linear. Near high resonances (s2), as a rule,k _1,2(1 + b) ^{s–1 2s–3} i.e., absorption increases withb due to replacement of the thermal energy of the transverse motion of electron,T, by the magnetic energy _B . The above effects should be taken into account for an interpretation of observational data on X-ray pulsars (e.g., Her X-1) and other X-ray sources associated with neutron stars.     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variables-XXV: Error analysis in the frequency-domain

The aim of the present paper has been two-fold. In the first part (Sections 1–2), closed algebraic formulae will be set up furnishing the momentsA of the light curves of arbitrary index , and, due to arbitrary type of eclipses, in terms of the coefficientsa of Fourier cosine series obtained by least-squares fit to the given data; and the uncertainty of the momentsA deduced from that of thea 's.In the second part (Sections 3–4) we shall establish the explicit forms of the lincar functions r _1,2, (cosi) and L ₁ for the variation of the respective elements expressible likewise in terms of the Fourier coefficientsa . The probable errors of these elements can then be identified with those of the respective linear functions, and are obtainable from the same matrix of coefficients which furnished the most probable values of the elements.     

Effects of mass transfer on the unsteady free convection flow past an accelerated vertical porous plate with variable suction

An exact analysis of the effects of mass transfer on the flow of a viscous incompressible fluid past an uniformly accelerated vertical porous and non-porous plate has been presented on taking into account the free convection currents. The results are discussed with the effects of the Grashof number Gr, the modified Grashof number Sc, the Schmidt number Sc, and the suction parametera for Pr (the Prandtl number)=0.71 representating air at 20°C.Nomenclature a suction parameter - C species concentration - C species concentration at the free stream - g acceleration due gravity - Gc modified Grashof number (vg^*(C –C )/U ₀ ³ ) - Pr Prandtl number (C _p/K) - T temperature of the fluid near the plate - T dimensionless temperature near the plate ((T-T )/(T -T )) - U(t) dimensionless velocity of the plate (U/U ₀) - v normal velocity component - v ₀ suction/injection velocity - x, y coordinate along and normal to the plate - v kinematic viscosity (/gr) - C _p specific heat at constant pressure - C _w species concentration at the plate - C non-dimensional species concentration ((C-C )/(C _w -C )) - Gr Grashof number (g(T _w -T )/U ₀ ³ ) - D chemical molecular diffusivity - K thermal conductivity - Sc Schmidt number (/D) - T _w temperature of the plate - T free stream temperature - t time variable - t dimensionless time (tU ₀ ² /) - U ₀ reference velocity - u velocity of the fluid near the plate - u non-dimensional velocity (u/U ₀) - v dimensionless velocity (v/U ₀) - v ₀ non-dimensionalv ₀ (v ₀ /U₀)=–at^–1/2 - y dimensionless ordinate (yU ₀/) - density of the fluid - coefficient of viscosity     

Activity in the quiet Sun

Macrospicules have been observed in H and He i D₃, on the disk and above the limb. In 1975, a rate of 1400 (A day)^–1 is inferred, and the ratio of equatorial to polar rates 2. D₃ intensities are a few × 10^–3 of the disk center, and do not decrease in coronal holes. The ratio of H to D₃ intensities is 10. The integral number of macrospicules with D₃ intensity I ₀ is proportional to I ₀ ^–1.     

Dependence of the meridional motions of sunspot groups on life spans and age of the groups,and on the phase of the solar cycle

We have analyzed data on sunspot groups compiled during 1874–1981 and investigated the following: (i) dependence of the `initial' meridional motion (v <sub>ini</sub>()) of sunspot groups on the life span () of the groups in the range 2–12 days, (ii) dependence of the meridional motion (v(t)) of sunspot groups of life spans 10–12 days on the age (t) of the spot groups, and (iii) variations in the mean meridional motion of spot groups of life span 2–12 days during the solar cycle. In each of the latitude intervals 0°–10°, 10°–20° and 20°–30°, the values of both v <sub>ini</sub>() and v(t) often differ significantly from zero. In the latitude interval 20°–30°, the forms of v <sub>ini</sub>() and v(t) are largely systematic and mutually similar in both the north and south hemispheres. The form of v(t) suggests existence of periodic variation in the solar meridional motion with period of 4 days and amplitude 10–20 m s<sup>–1</sup>. Using the anchoring depths of magnetic structures for spot groups of different and testimated earlier, (Javaraiah and Gokhale, 1997), we suggest that the forms of v <sub>ini</sub>() and v(t) may represent radial variation of meridional flow in the Sun's convection zone, rather than temporal variation of the flow. The meridional flows (v <sub>e</sub>(t)) determined from the data during the last few days (i.e., age t: 10–12 days) of spot groups of life spans of 10–12 days are found to have magnitudes (10–20 m s<sup>–1</sup>) and directions (poleward) similar to the those of the surface meridional plasma flows determined from the Dopplergrams and magnetograms. The mean meridional velocity of sunspot groups living 2–12 days seems to vary during the solar cycle. The velocity is not significantly different from zero during the rising phase of the cycle and there is a suggestion of equatorward motion (a few m s<sup>–1</sup>at lower latitudes and 10 m s<sup>–1</sup>at higher latitudes) during the declining phase (last few years) of the cycle. The variation during the odd numbered cycles seems to anticorrelate with the variation during the even numbered cycles, suggesting existence of 22-year periodicity in the solar meridional flow. The amplitude of the anticorrelation seems to be depending on latitude and the cycle phase. In the latitude interval 20°–30° the `surface plasma meridional motion', v _e(t), is found to be poleward during maximum years (v _e(t) 20 m s^–1at 4th year) and equatorward during ending years of the cycle (v _e(t) –17 m s^–1at 10th year).     

YO molecule in the sun

Vibrational transition probabilities, namely Franck—Condon factors and -centroids have been evaluated by an approximate analytical method for the (A–X), (A–X), and (A–X) system of YO molecule. Morse potential energy curves forX ²⁺,A ²₂,A²₂, andA²₂, states of YO have been constructed using the latest spectroscopic data. The value of -centroids for the band have been found to decrease linearly with the corresponding wavelengths. We show results for two new transitions of (A–X) and (A–X) and five new bands of (A–X) of YO in the umbral spectrum of the Sun.     

Some applications of Jacobi dynamics to the stellar evolution

The stars in the Main Sequence are seen as a hierarchy of objects with different massesM and effective dynamical radiiR _eff=R/ given by the stellar radii and the coefficients for the inner structure of the stars.As seen in a previous work (Paper I), during the lifetime in the Main SequenceR _eff(t) remains a near invariant when compared to the variation in the time ofR(t) and (t).With such an effectiveR _eff one obtains the amounts of actionA _c(M), the effective densities _eff(M)=(M)³(M), the densities of action and of energy (or mean presures in the stellar interior)a _c(M),e _c(M), and the potential energiesE _p(M).The amounts of action areA _cM ^k withk1.87 for the M stars,k5/3 for the KGF stars, andk1.83 for the A and earlier stars, representing very simples conditions for the other dynamical parameters. For instancek5/3 means a near invariant effective density _eff for the KGF stars, while for such stars the mean densities and coefficients present the strongest variations with masses (M)M ^–1.81, (M)M^0.6.The cases for the M stars (e _c(M)M ^–1) and for the A and earlier stars (betweena _c(M)=constant and _eff(M)M ^–1) and also discussed. These conditions for the earlier stars also represent reasonable mean values for the whole stellar hierarchy in the range of masses 0.2M M25M .With all this, one can build dynamical HR diagrams withA _c(M), E_p(M), _eff M ^–p , etc., whose characteristics are analogous to these in the photometrical HR diagram. A comparison is made betweenA _c(M) from the models here and the HR diagram with the best known stars of luminosity classes IV, V, and white dwarfs.The comparison of the potential energiesE _p(M)M ^–p according to the stellar models used here and the observed frequency function (MM _–q (number of stars in a given interval of masses) from different authors suggests the possibility that the productE _p(M)(M) is a constant, but this must be confirmed with further studies of the function (M) and its fine structure.There are analogies between the formulation used here for the stellar hierarchy and other physical processes, for instance, in modified forms of the Kolmogorov law of turbulence and in the formulation used for the hierarchy of molecular clouds in gravitational equilibrium. Besides, the function of actionA _c(M) for the stars has analogous properties to the relations of angular momenta and massesJ(M) for different types of objects. The cosmological implications of all this are discussed.     

Expansions of elliptic motion based on elliptic function theory

New expansions of elliptic motion based on considering the eccentricitye as the modulusk of elliptic functions and introducing the new anomalyw (a sort of elliptic anomaly) defined byw=u/2K–/2,g=amu–/2 (g being the eccentric anomaly) are compared with the classic (e, M), (e, v) and (e, g) expansions in multiples of mean, true and eccentric anomalies, respectively. These (q,w) expansions turn out to be in general more compact than the classical ones. The coefficients of the (e,v) and (e,g) expansions are expressed as the hypergeometric series, which may be reduced to the hypergeometric polynomials. The coefficients of the (q,w) expansions may be presented in closed (rational function) form with respect toq, k, k=(1–k ²)^1/2,K andE, q being the Jacobi nome relatedk whileK andE are the complete elliptic integrals of the first and second kind respectively. Recurrence relations to compute these coefficients have been derived.on leave from Institute of Applied Astronomy, St.-Petersburg 197042, Russia