Studies of magnetic fields in the solar photosphere using the line-ratio method

The longitudinal magnetic field measured using the Fe I λ 525 and Fe I λ 524.7 nm lines and global magnetic field of the sun differ depending on the observatory. To study the cause of these discrepancies, we calculate the H _‖(525)/H _‖(524.7) ratios for various combinations of magnetic elements and compare them with the corresponding observed values. We use the standard quiet model of the solar photosphere suggesting that there are magnetic fields of different polarities in the range between zero and several kilogauss. The magnetic element distribution is found as a function of magnetic field strength and the parameters of this distribution are determined for which the calculated H _‖(525)/H _‖(524.7) ratio agrees with the observed one. The sigma-components are found to be shifted differently for various points of the Fe I λ 525 nm profile calculated for the inhomogeneous magnetic field. The farther the point is from the line center, the larger the sigma-components shift. Such a peculiarity of the profiles may be responsible for the discrepancies in the measured values of the global magnetic field obtained at different observatories. The increase in modulus of the global magnetic field during the maxima of solar activity can be due to a larger fraction of magnetic elements with kilogauss magnetic fields.     

Ionospheric and magnetospheric “plasmapauses”

During August 1972, Explorer 45 orbiting near the equatorial plane with an apogee of ～5.2 R_e traversed magnetic field lines in close proximity to those simultaneously traversed by the topside ionospheric satellite ISIS 2 near dusk in the L range 2.0–5.4. The locations of the Explorer 45 plasmapause crossings (determined by the saturation of the d.c. electric field double probe) during this month were compared to the latitudinal decreases of the H⁺ density observed on ISIS 2 (by the magnetic ion mass spectrometer) near the same magnetic field lines. The equatorially determined plasmapause field lines typically passed through or poleward of the minimum of the ionospheric light ion trough, with coincident satellite passes occurring for which the L separation between the plasmapause and trough field lines was between 1 and 2. Hence, the abruptly decreasing H⁺ density on the low latitude side of the ionospheric trough is not a near earth signature of the equatorial plasmapause. Vertical flows of the H⁺ ions in the light ion trough as detected by the magnetic ion mass spectrometer on ISIS were directed upward with velocities between 1 and 2 km s^?1 near dusk on these passes. These velocities decreased to lower values on the low latitude side of the H⁺ trough but did not show any noticeable change across the field lines corresponding to the magnetospheric plasmapause. The existence of upward accelerated H⁺ flows to possibly supersonic speeds during the refilling of magnetic flux tubes in the outer plasmasphere could produce an equatorial plasmapause whose field lines map into the ionosphere at latitudes which are poleward of the H⁺ density decrease.     

Magnetic field of the young star RW Aur

Results of ourmeasurements of the longitudinal magnetic field B _z for the young star RWAur A are presented. B _z measured from the so-called narrow component of the He I 5876 line varies in the range from −1.47 ± 0.15 to +1.10 ± 0.15 kG. Our data are consistent with a stellar rotation period of }~5.6 days and the model of two hot spots with opposite magnetic field polarities spaced about 180° apart in longitude. Relative to the Earth, the spot with B _z < 0 lies in the hemisphere above the midplane of the accretion disk, while the spot with B _z > 0 is below the midplane. The upper limit for B _z (at the 3σ level) obtained by averaging all observations is 180 G for the photosphere and 220 and 230 G for the Hα and [OI] 6300 line formation regions, respectively. We have also failed to detect a field in the formation region of broad emission line components: the upper limit for B _z is 600 G. In two of 11 cases, we have detected a magnetic field in the formation region of the blue absorption wing of the Na I D doublet lines, i.e., in the wind from RW Aur A: B _z = −180 ± 50 and −810 ± 80 G. The radial velocity of the photospheric lines in RW Aur A averaged over all our observations is }~+10.5 km s⁻¹, i.e., a value lower than that obtained by Petrov et al. (2001) ten years earlier by 5.5 km s⁻¹. Therefore, we discuss the possibility that RW Aur is not a binary but a triple system.     

Viscous-resistive ADAF with a general large-scale magnetic field

We have studied the structure of hot accretion flow bathed in a general large-scale magnetic field. We have considered magnetic parameters , where are the Alfvén sound speeds in three direction of cylindrical coordinate (r,φ,z). The dominant mechanism of energy dissipation is assumed to be the magnetic diffusivity due to turbulence and viscosity in the accretion flow. Also, we adopt a more realistic model for kinematic viscosity (ν=αc _s H), with both c _s and H as a function of magnetic field. As a result in our model, the kinematic viscosity and magnetic diffusivity (η=η ₀ c _s H) are not constant. In order to solve the integrated equations that govern the behavior of the accretion flow, a self-similar method is used. It is found that the existence of magnetic resistivity will increase the radial infall velocity as well as sound speed and vertical thickness of the disk. However the rotational velocity of the disk decreases by the increase of magnetic resistivity. Moreover, we study the effect of three components of global magnetic field on the structure of the disk. We found out that the radial velocity and sound speed are Sub-Keplerian for all values of magnetic field parameters, but the rotational velocity can be Super-Keplerian by the increase of toroidal magnetic field. Also, Our numerical results show that all components of magnetic field can be important and have a considerable effect on velocities and vertical thickness of the disk.     

Exploring morphological correlations among H2CO, 12CO, MSX and continuum mappings

There are relatively few H₂CO mappings of large-area giant molecular cloud (GMCs). H₂CO absorption lines are good tracers for low-temperature molecular clouds towards star formation regions. Thus, the aim of the study was to identify H₂CO distributions in ambient molecular clouds. We investigated morphologic relations among 6-cm continuum brightness temperature (CBT) data and H₂CO (1₁₁−1₁₀; Nanshan 25-m radio telescope), ¹²CO (1–0; 1.2-m CfA telescope) and midcourse space experiment (MSX) data, and considered the impact of background components on foreground clouds. We report simultaneous 6-cm H₂CO absorption lines and H110α radio recombination line observations and give several large-area mappings at 4.8 GHz toward W49 (50′×50′), W3 (70′×90′), DR21/W75 (60′×90′) and NGC2024/NGC2023 (50′×100′) GMCs. By superimposing H₂CO and ¹²CO contours onto the MSX color map, we can compare correlations. The resolution for H₂CO, ¹²CO and MSX data was ∼10′, ∼8′ and ∼18.3″, respectively. Comparison of H₂CO and ¹²CO contours, 8.28-μm MSX colorscale and CBT data revealed great morphological correlation in the large area, although there are some discrepancies between ¹²CO and H₂CO peaks in small areas. The NGC2024/NGC2023 GMC is a large area of HII regions with a high CBT, but a H₂CO cloud to the north is possible against the cosmic microwave background. A statistical diagram shows that 85.21% of H₂CO absorption lines are distributed in the intensity range from −1.0 to 0 Jy and the ΔV range from 1.206 to 5 km s⁻¹.     

Fine structure of solar magnetic fields

The problem of inequality of results of longitudinal magnetic fields measured in the magnotosensetive lines FeI 5250 and FeI 5247 is investigated. The observed ratio of longitudinal components of magnetic field H ₁₁(5250)/H ₁₁(5247) is compared to the calculated for different combinations of magnetic field elements. The calculations have been made with standard model photosphere for quiet regions. It was concluded that the underestimated value of magnetic field obtained with the FeI 5250 line is explained by the presence of unresolved elements with kilogauss magnetic fields.     

An assessment of the length and variability of Mercury's magnetotail

We employ Mariner 10 measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field in the vicinity of Mercury to estimate the rate of magnetic reconnection between the interplanetary magnetic field and the Hermean magnetosphere. We derive a time-series of the open magnetic flux in Mercury's magnetosphere, from which we can deduce the length of the magnetotail. The length of the magnetotail is shown to be highly variable, with open field lines stretching between 15R_H and 850R_H downstream of the planet (median 150R_H). Scaling laws allow the tail length at perihelion to be deduced from the aphelion Mariner 10 observations.     

Simulation of photosphere and chromosphere of two powerful solar flares (October 28, 2003 and September 1, 1990)

The spectra of two powerful flares with approximately the same intensities in the optical region but with different spectral features and power in other regions are studied. One of them is the unique flare which occurred on October 28, 2003, importance X17.2/4B, ranking third in magnitude among the recorded flares. Another occurred on September 1, 1990, 3B importance. The flares vary in the Balmer decrement. The flare of October 28, 2003, has a ratio of I(H_β)/I(H_α) = 1.47. This is the largest value for solar flares ever observed. The flares also differ in magnitude of the D Na I lines emission: the emission of the flare of October 28, 2003, is substantially larger than that of the other flare. The chromosphere models of the flares are computed using the observed profiles of Balmer lines and D Na I lines. The satisfactory agreement of the calculated and observed profiles is obtained for the two-component models in which a hot component occupies 6% of the area. The hot component of the chromosphere model is characterized with the dense condensation available in the upper layers. For the flare of October 28, 2003, this condensation is located deeper and its substance concentration is greater than that for another flare. The H_α line intensity for the model hot component alone is approximately 30 and the continuous spectrum intensity is approximately 3% of the undisturbed level. The photosphere model is computed using the observed profiles of photosphere lines for the flare of October 28, 2003. It is found that very broad profiles of individual sigma-components of the Fe I λ 525.0 nm line may be only explained by the presence of magnetic fields having different directions. A great difference is detected between values of the magnetic field strength obtained in the splitting of sigma-components and those provided by simulation.     

Molecular systems in a strong magnetic field

Brief overview of one-two electron molecular systems made out of protons and/or α-particles in a strong magnetic field B≤4.414×10¹³ G is presented. A particular emphasis is given to the one-electron exotic ions H₃⁺⁺(pppe), He₂³⁺(α α e) and to two-electron ionsH₃⁺(pppee), He₂⁺⁺(α α ee). Quantitative studies in a strong magnetic field are very complicated technically. Novel approach to the few-electron Coulomb systems in magnetic field, which provides accurate results, based on variational calculus with physically relevant trial functions is briefly described.      

Magnetic fields and quasi-periodic oscillations of black hole radiation

Various relations are found between the key parameters of black holes and active galactic nuclei. Some have a statistical property, others follow from the theoretical consideration of the evolution of these objects. In this paper we use a recently discovered empirical relation between the characteristic frequency of quasi-periodic oscillations of radiation ν _br of black holes, their masses and matter accretion rates to determine the magnetic field strength B _H at the black hole event horizon. Since the characteristic frequency can be determined from observations, the use of a new relation for the estimations of magnetic field B _H can yield more definite results, since we are decreasing the number of the unknown or poorly-determined parameters of objects (it especially concerns the accretion rate Ṁ). The typical values which we have found are B _H ≃ 10⁸G for the stellar mass black holes, and B _H ≃ 10⁴G for the supermassive black holes. Besides, we demonstrate that if the linear polarization of an object is caused by the radiation of a magnetized accretion disk, then the degree of observable polarization is p ∼ ν _br ^−1/2.     

Magnetic field model for slowly rotating CP-stars. γEqu= HD201601

A magnetic field model is constructed for the extremely slow rotator γEqu based on measurements of its magnetic field over many years and using the “magnetic charge” method. An analysis of γEqu and of all the data accumulated up to the present on the magnetic field parameters of chemically peculiar stars leads to some interesting conclusions, of which the main ones are: the fact that the axis of rotation and the dipole axis are not parallel in γEqu and the other slowly rotating magnetic stars which we have studied previously is one of the signs that the braking of CP stars does not involve the participation of the magnetic field as they evolve “to the main sequence.” The axes of the magnetic field dipole in slow rotators are oriented arbitrarily with respect to their axes of rotation. The substantial photometric activity of these CP stars also argues against these axes being close. The well-known absence of sufficiently strong magnetic fields in the Ae/Be Herbig stars also presents difficulties for the hypothesis of “magnetic braking” in the “pre-main sequence” stages of evolution. The inverse relation between the average surface magnetic field Bs and the rotation period P is yet another fact in conflict with the idea that the magnetic field is involved in the braking of CP stars. We believe that angular momentum loss involving the magnetic field can hardly have taken place during evolution immediately prior “to the main sequence,” rather the slow rotation of CP stars most likely originates from protostellar clouds with low angular momentum. Some of the slowly rotating stars have a central dipole magnetic field configuration, while others have a displaced dipole configuration, where the displacement can be toward the positive or the negative magnetic pole. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 251–262 (May 2006).     

The magnetic field in some prominences measured with the He I, 5876 Å line

Observations of the longitudinal magnetic field of several prominences were made with the D₃, H, and H lines. There is no significant difference in the magnetic field measured with the helium and hydrogen lines. The possibility of a true difference in the fields on a scale much finer than that of our observations is not excluded.     

Focusing and interference of whistler-mode waves in a spatially varying magnetic field

An analytic investigation is made of rays from a source in a magneto-ionic medium for which the magnetic field H and the electron density vary, in a Cartesian co-ordinate system Oxyz, with x alone. The case H_z = 0 is considered in some detail. It is shown that rays in the xy-plane may be focused, and that interference can occur. The geomagnetic field is then represented by a model for which H_y is proportional to x, and the magnetic field lines are parabolas. Observations and theories of magnetospheric chorus, in particular of the gap near one-half the equatorial electron gyrofrequency, are discussed in relation to this model.     

The molecular hydrogen explorer H2EX

The Molecular Hydrogen Explorer, H2EX, was proposed in response to the ESA 2015 - 2025 Cosmic Vision Call as a medium class space mission with NASA and CSA participations. The mission, conceived to understand the formation of galaxies, stars and planets from molecular hydrogen, is designed to observe the first rotational lines of the H₂ molecule (28.2, 17.0, 12.3 and 9.7 μm) over a wide field, and at high spectral resolution. H2EX can provide an inventory of warm (≥ 100 K) molecular gas in a broad variety of objects, including nearby young star clusters, galactic molecular clouds, active galactic nuclei, local and distant galaxies. The rich array of molecular, atomic and ionic lines, as well as solid state features available in the 8 to 29 μm spectral range brings additional science dimensions to H2EX. We present the optical and mechanical design of the H2EX payload based on an innovative Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer fed by a 1.2 m telescope. The 20’×20’ field of view is imaged on two 1024×1024 Si:As detectors. The maximum resolution of 0.032 cm^− 1 (full width at half maximum) means a velocity resolution of 10 km s^− 1 for the 0 – 0 S(3) line at 9.7 μm. This instrument offers the large field of view necessary to survey extended emission in the Galaxy and local Universe galaxies as well as to perform unbiased extragalactic and circumstellar disks surveys. The high spectral resolution makes H2EX uniquely suited to study the dynamics of H₂ in all these environments. The mission plan is made of seven wide-field spectro-imaging legacy programs, from the cosmic web to galactic young star clusters, within a nominal two years mission. The payload has been designed to re-use the Planck platform and passive cooling design.

Sunspots and large-scale magnetic fields at various heights

Height variation of the magnetic field structure over groups of sunspots for heights ranging from the photosphere to the source surface (R = 2.5 Ro, where Ro is the radius of the Sun) is examined. For all heights, starting from the photospheric level, groups of sunspot are shown as being independent of long-lived boundaries of large-scale structures rotating with a period shorter than the Carrington period. At heights of 1–1.5 Ro, there is a clear relation between sunspot groups and boundaries separating the head and tail sunspots in the groups (the Hale boundaries). The rotation periods of these structures are close to the Carrington period, their lifespan being less than three to five rotations. The maximal intensity of the solar magnetic field drops by two orders when height increases from H = 1 to H = 1.1 Ro. Further decrease in intensity proceeds gradually (dropping by one order from H = 1.1 to 2.5 Ro). The results obtained can be considered as evidence that large-scale magnetic field structures and long-lived boundries between them (the lines dividing polarities of the magnetic field or zero lines) all exist irrespective of sunspot fields being generated by other sources than sunspots. At the photospheric level, active regions fields are superimposed on these structures.     

Polar Coronal Structures and the Global Magnetic Field Evolution Through the Cycle

We compare the shape and position of some plasma formations visible in the polar corona with the cyclic evolution of the global magnetic field. The first type of object is polar crown prominences. A two-fold decrease of the height of polar crown prominences was found during their poleward migration from the middle latitudes to the poles before a polar magnetic field reversal. The effect could be assigned to a decrease of the magnetic field scale. The second type of object is the polar plumes, ray like structures that follow magnetic field lines. Tangents to polar ray structures are usually crossed near some point, “a magnetic focus,” below the surface. The distance q between the focus and the center of the solar disk changes from the maximum value about 0.65 R _⊙ at solar minimum activity to the minimum value about 0.45 R _⊙ at solar maximum. At first glance this behaviour seems to be contrary to the dynamics of spherical harmonics of the global magnetic field throughout a cycle. We believe that the problem could be resolved if one takes into account not only scale changes in the global magnetic field but also the phase difference in the cyclic variations of large-scale and small-scale components of the global field.     

Formation of Intensive Magnetic Flux Tubes in a Converging Flow of Partially Ionized Solar Photospheric Plasma

Theoretical model, explaining a phenomenon of formation of Intensive Magnetic Flux Tube (IMFT) in a converging flow of partially ionized solar photospheric plasma is considered. Special attention is paid to the fact of weak ionization (n/n _n ∼ 10^-4) of plasma in the photosphere. The cases of 2D magnetic slab and cylindric magnetic tube are considered. It was shown that in a converging flow of photospheric plasma thin magnetic tubes, or slabs with the characteristic scale L ₀ ∼ (1 ÷ 5) ċ 10⁷ cm and magnetic field 1000 ÷ 2000 G can be generated. By this 2D magnetic slabs could be unstable with respect to an exchange instability and appear as an intermediate step during IMFT formation on the boundary of two supergranulation cells. Formation of compact strong magnetic field structures, and their energy balance are discussed. Stationary Joule energy dissipation taking place on the photospheric levels in the models of magnetic slab or IMFT under consideration increases towards the periphery of these objects and can exceed radiation looses. This can cause the occurrence of magnetic tubes with hot external envelopes, and modification of plasma temperature and density distribution, with respect to ones in a quiet atmosphere. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The magnetic field of a rotating cloud and magneto-rotational explosions

The contraction of a massive rotating plasma cloud with the magnetic field perpendicular to the axis of rotation and extending to infinity is considered. At some stage the contracting cloud reaches a state of dynamic quasi-stationary equilibrium. The change of the magnetic field in the cloud atmosphere before its arrival at the quasi-stationary state (stage I) and also in the process of quasi-equilibrium (stage II) are studied.At stage I an essential change of the external magnetic field geometry occurs, namely the formation of zero (neutral) lines and the transformation of the field into a quasi-radial one. Given certain conditions, the reconnection of the field lines in neutral X-type points may occur with the formation of closed loops. In this case the flux of field lines, which connect the contracting cloud with infinity, decreases asymptotically as (R/R _i)^2/3, whereR/R _i is the ratio of the present radius to initial one.After the cloud arrives at the state of dynamic equilibrium (stage II) a considerable increasing of the magnetic field occurs due to twisting of the field lines by rotation. The field strength increases up to some threshold after which instability suddenly occurs. As a result of cumulation occurring in the zero-line direction, and the subsequent dynamic dissipation, the ejection of relativistic particles and plasma in both directions along the rotational axis takes place. The magnetic field restores itself rapidly due to the continual twisting and this leads to the appearance of repeated explosions.The tension of the magnetic field lines as well as plasma outflow carry away the angular momentum. Its diminution determines the rate of secular gravitational contraction. During the contraction the rotational energy increases, so that recurrent bursts, being of magneto-rotational nature are based, finally, on the gravitational energy reservoir.According to our calculations of the time-interval for repetition of explosions, the energy output and certain other parameters, we are able to explain repeated bursts in the nuclei of galaxies and quasars observed, in particular, in the appearance of radio-variability.Extended version of the paper read at All-Moscow Astrophysical Seminar in Sternberg Astronomical Institute 3rd April 1969.     

Radial velocity and magnetic field measurements of the a-type supergiant ν cep (HD 207260)

On the basis of 55 Zeeman spectrograms obtained at Tautenburg in the years 1975–1979 the effective magnetic fields and the radial velocities of the supergiant ν Cep (HD 207260) were determined. For the effective magnetic field a slow variation occurring on a time scale of years was found. The spectrograms taken at the first time show only moderate effective magnetic field strengths of a few hundred Gauß, but in the year 1978 values of +2000 Gauß were detected. The measured radial velocities show a longtime variability similar to that of the magnetic field as well as more rapid changes. A periodical variation of the radial velocity with a period of ∼ 39.9 days, perhaps produced by the rotation of the star, is indicated. The Balmer absorption lines H_β, H_β, and H_δ have different radial velocities refering to the presence of an expanding envelope. Moreover, there exist significant differences between the velocities of various elements respectively ions of 1–4 km/s.     

Spectral Diagnostics of the Magnetic Field Orientation in a Prominence Observed with SOHO/SUMER

During several campaigns focused on prominences we have obtained coordinated spectral observations from the ground and from space. The SOHO/SUMER spectrometer allows us to observe, among others, the whole Lyman series of hydrogen, while the Hα line was observed by the MSDP spectrograph at the VTT. For the Lyman lines, non-LTE radiative-transfer computations have shown the importance of the optical thickness of the prominence – corona transition region (PCTR) and its relation to the magnetic field orientation for the explanation of the observed line profiles. Moreover, Heinzel, Anzer, and Gunár (2005, Astron. Astrophys. 442, 331) developed a 2D magnetostatic model of prominence fine structures that demonstrates how the shapes of Lyman lines vary, depending on the orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the line of sight. To support this result observationally, we focus here on a round-shaped filament observed during three days as it was crossing the limb. The Lyman profiles observed on the limb are different from day to day. We interpret these differences as being due to the change of orientation of the prominence axis (and therefore the magnetic field direction) with respect to the line of sight. The Lyman lines are more reversed if the line of sight is across the prominence axis as compared to the case when it is aligned along its axis.