Axially-symmetric Velocities in the 15 May 2000 Eruptive Prominence

Large Doppler velocities with unique, almost regular elliptical features were observed in the H spectra of the May 15, 2000 eruptive prominence. These features were interpreted in the frame of axially symmetric models of the eruptive prominence. The rotational (7–60 km s^–1), expansion (30–44 km s^–1), axial (3–19 km s^–1), and global (66–160 km s^–1) prominence plasma velocities were derived. The plasma velocity patterns were compared with the observed helical structures of the H prominence. The velocities of selected H blobs in the image plane were determined. The axially symmetric detwisting process of the magnetic flux rope of the eruptive prominence was recognized.     

Photospheric and chromospheric oscillations in the base of coronal holes

In this paper we carry out an analysis of the spatial–temporal line-of-sight velocity variations measured in the chromospheric (H, H) and photospheric (Fei 6569 Å, Fei 4864 Å, Nii 4857 Å) lines at the base of 17 coronal holes. Time series of a duration from 43 to 120 min were recorded with the CCD line-array and the CCD matrix. Rather frequently we observed quasi-stationary upward flows with a measured velocity of up to 1 km s^–1 in the photosphere and up to 4–5 km s^–1 in the chromosphere (equivalent radial velocity of up to 3 km s^–1 and up to 12–15 km s^–1 accordingly) near dark points on the chromospheric network boundary inside polar CH. Line-of-sight velocity fluctuation spectra contain meaningful maxima in the low-frequency region clustering around the values 0.4, 0.75, and 1 mHz. Usually, the spatial localization of these maxima mutually coincides and, in our opinion, coincides with the chromospheric network boundary. Acoustic 3- and 5-min oscillations are enhanced in the coronal hole region and reach 1 km s^–1 in the photosphere and 3–4 km s^–1 in the chromosphere. These oscillations are not localized spatially and are distinguished throughout the entire region observed.     

Excitation of interstellar molecules in the Ori-KL source

A molecular spectral line survey of the title source detected 166 molecular lines from 18 interstellar molecules in the frequency ranges of 34.25–50.00, 83.50–84.50, and 86.00–91.50 GHz. For each molecule, gaussian decomposition of the velocity components in the transition profiles gave consistent radial velocity and linewidth. Rotation diagrams were drawn for each velocity component.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

Advances in gamma-ray burst astronomy

Work at Goddard is preséntly being carried out in three major areas of gamma-ray burst research: (1) A pair of simultaneously operating 0.8-m² burst detectors were successfully balloon-borne at locations 800 miles apart on 9 May, 1975, each to atmospheric depths of 3 to 4 g cm^–2, for a 20-h period of coincident data coverage. This experiment investigates the size spectrum of bursts in the 10^–7 to 10^–6 erg cm^–2 size region where dozens of events per day are expected on a –1.5 index integral power-law extrapolation. Considerable separation in latitude was used to avoid possible atmospheric and auroral secondary effects. Its results are not yet available. This experiment is the sequel to a single balloon flight in May 1974, in which candidate events were found to fit the –1.5 spectral extrapolation, indicating the need for positive event identification. (2) A deep-space burst detector, the first spacecraft instrument built specifically for gamma-ray burst studies, was recently successfully integrated into the Helios-B space probe. Its use at distances of up to 2 AU will make possible the first high-resolution directional study of gamma-ray burst source locations. Similar modifications to several other space vehicles are also being prepared. (3) Our gamma-ray instrument on the IMP-7 satellite is presently the most sensitive burst detector still operating in orbit. Its results have shown that all measured event-average energy spectra are consistent with being alike. Using this characteristic spectrum to select IMP-7 candidate events of smaller size than those detected using other spacecraft in coincidence, a size spectrum is constructed which fits the –1.5 index power law down to 2.5×10^–5 erg cm^–2 per event, at an occurrence rate of about once per month.Paper presented at the COSPAR Symposium on Fast Transients in X-and Gamma-Rays, held at Varna, Bulgaria, 29–31 May, 1975.     

Short-Term Periodicities in Solar Indices

The purpose of the present communication is to identify the short-term (few tens of months) periodicities of several solar indices (sunspot number, Caii area and K index, Lyman , 2800 MHz radio emission, coronal green-line index, solar magnetic field). The procedure used was: from the 3-month running means (3m) the 37-month running means (37m) were subtracted, and the factor (3m – 37m) was examined for several parameters. For solar indices, considerable fluctuations were seen during the ± 4 years around sunspot maxima of cycles 18–23, and virtually no fluctuations were seen in the ± 2 years around sunspot minima. The spacings between successive peaks were irregular but common for various solar indices. Assuming that there are stationary periodicities, a spectral analysis was carried out which indicated periodicities of months: 5.1–5.7, 6.2–7.0, 7.6–7.9, 8.9–9.6, 10.4–12.0, 12.8–13.4, 14.5–17.5, 22–25, 28 (QBO), 31–36 (QBO), 41–47 (QTO). The periodicities of 1.3 year (15.6 months) and 1.7 years (20.4 months) often mentioned in the literature were seen neither often nor prominently. Other periodicities occurred more often and more prominently. For the open magnetic flux estimated by Wang, Lean, and Sheeley (2000) and Wang and Sheeley (2002), it was noticed that the variations were radically different at different solar latitudes. The open flux for < 45 solar latitudes had variations very similar (parallel) to the sunspot cycle, while open flux for > 45 solar latitudes had variations anti-parallel to the sunspot cycle. The open fluxes, interplanetary magnetic field and cosmic rays, all showed periodicities similar to those of solar indices. Many peaks (but not all) matched, indicating that the open flux for < 45 solar latitudes was at least partially an adequate carrier of the solar characteristics to the interplanetary space and thence for galactic cosmic ray modulation.     

Lithium abundance in cold giants

Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 271–281, September–October, 1990.     

Factorization methods in radiative transfer theory

Published in Astrofizika, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 706–708, October–December, 1995.     

Distribution of hot stars and interstellar dust in Carina

Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 36, No. 2 pp. 165–180, April–June, 1993.     

A New Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer (SBRS) in China

A new radio spectrometer, Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer (SBRS) with characteristics of high time resolution, high-frequency resolution, high sensitivity, and wide frequency coverage in the microwave region is described. Its function is to monitor solar radio bursts in the frequency range of 0.7–7.6 GHz with time resolution of 1–10 ms. SBRS consists of five `component spectrometers' which work in five different wave bands (0.7–1.5 GHz, 1.0–2.0 GHz, 2.6–3.8 GHz, 4.5–7.5 GHz, and 5.2–7.6 GHz, respectively). A combination of multi-channel and scanning techniques is adopted. The component spectrometers are attached to different antennas which are separately located at Beijing, Kunming, and Nanjing. Close attention was paid to solve the problems of sensitivity, dynamic range, interference-resistance, data acquisition, and handling a large amount of data. The SBRS was put into operation in the 23th solar maximum activity period, and has proved itself to be a valuable instrument for the study of solar bursts in microwaves.     

The ionization state of oxygen ions in anomalous cosmic rays: Results from the ANURADHA experiment in Spacelab-3

We report the first results on the determination of the ionization states of oxygen ions in the anomalous cosmic rays (ACR) from the measurements of their flux in the cosmic-ray experiment in Spacelab-3 (SL-3) mission of NASA flown at 350 km altitude during 29 April–6 May, 1985. The detectors used were specially prepared CR-39 plastics of very high sensitivity for recording tracks of ions withZ>2. The measured orbit averaged flux of ACR oxygen is (2.9±1.3)×10^–4 particles m^–2sr^–1s^–1 (MeV N^–1) at an energy of 23 MeV N^–1. We made an independent estimate of the expected ACR oxygen flux at SL-3 orbit from interplanetary data and compared this with the measured flux to infer the ionization states of ACR oxygen ions. The flux and energy spectra of ACR oxygen at 1 AU outside the magnetosphere is obtained from the data of Voyager-2, during the same epoch as the SL-3 flight, and using the measured radial intensity gradient of 15%/AU for ACR oxygen between 1–17 AU. We calculate the geomagnetic transmission factors for ACR oxygen ions of charge states O⁺¹, O⁺², etc., from the known cut-off rigidities in the world grid and using the SL-3 trajectories for 116 orbits in the 6-day mission to obtain the expected flux at SL-3 for different charge states. When these flux values are compared with our measured flux, the averge ionization state of ACR oxygen ions in the energy interval of 20–26 MeV N^–1 is obtained as O⁺¹.     

Whistler observations of magnetospheric electric field in the night side plasma-sphere at low latitude

Whistlers recorded at low latitude ground stations of Gulmarg, Nainital and Varanasi were used to infer the east-west component of electric field on the nightside plasmasphere atL=1.2, 1.12, and 1.07 during magnetic storm periods. The method of measuring electric field from the observed cross-L motions of whistler ducts within the plasma-sphere, indicated by changes in nose frequency of whistlers has been outlined. The nose frequencies of the non-nose whistlers under consideration have been deduced from Dowden-Allocock linear Q-technique. The results show eastward electric fields of 0.7 mVm^–1 in the equatorial plane of Gulmarg and 0.3 mVm^–1 in the equatorial plane of Nainital in the premidnight local time sector. Near midnight, there is a sharp transition from eastward field to a westward electric field of 0.2–0.7 mV m^–1 for Gulmarg, 0.3–0.5 mV m^–1 for Nainital and 0.1–0.3 mVm^–1 for Varanasi.     

Starbursts in galaxies. Properties in the infrared and radio ranges

The radio and infrared properties of starbursts in galaxies are reviewed. Normal and starburst galaxies are covered.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 337–371, April–June, 1996.     

Recent progress in imaging polarimetry

Recent instrumental developments in imaging polarimetry allow array detectors to reach a polarimetric sensitivity of 1 × 10^–4 of the intensity. New instrumental effects appear at these levels of sensitivity and generate spurious polarization signals with amplitudes of up to 5 × 10^–4. Here I discuss these effects and present methods to avoid them. Polarized spectra with an rms noise of 6 × 10^–6 may then be obtained. Furthermore a method is brought to the reader's attention that allows polarization measurements at the 1 × 10^–4 level with regular array detectors, e.g. in the near-infrared.     

Cyclic Changes in Solar Rotation Inferred From Temporal Changes in the Mean Magnetic Field

Time–frequency variability of the solar mean magnetic field (SMMF) was studied, based on a continuous wavelet analysis. The rotational modulation of the SMMF dominates the wavelet spectrum at 27–30 and 13.5-day time scales. The rotational variation, in turn, is amplitude-modulated by the quasi-biennial periodicity in the SMMF. This is caused by magnetic field eruptions. Rigidly rotating modes appear in the time–longitude distribution of the large-scale magnetic field that is plotted from a deconvolution of the SMMF time series with a Carrington period. These rotational modes coexist and transform into one another over an 11-yr cycle. The modes with periods of 27.8–28.0 days dominate the phase of activity rise, whereas the 27-day rotational mode dominates the declining phase of the 11-yr cycle. The rotational modes with periods of 29–30 days occurred episodically. Most of the features in the time–longitude distribution of the SMMF are identifiable with those in similar diagrams of the solar background magnetic fields. They represent a combined effect of the background magnetic fields from both hemispheres. Eruptions of magnetic fields lead to dramatic changes in the picture of solar rotation and correlate well with the polarity asymmetry in the SMMF signal. The polarity asymmetry in the SMMF time series exhibits both long-term changes and a 22-yr cyclic behaviour, depending on the reversals of the global magnetic field in cycles 20–23.     

Modified EIH formalism in BSTT. Gravitational radiation

Erevan State University. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 603–611, October–December, 1993.     

The masers of E-type methanol in orion KL and SGR B2

Using a simplified model the statistical equilibrium and radiative transfer equations of E-type-CH₃OH are solved for Orion KL and SgrB2. According to our calculation results and the observation data taken by Matsakiset al. (1980) and Morimotoet al. (1985a, b), the physical conditions of both sources are estimated. In theJ ₂-J ₁ E methanol maser region of Orion KL, the density, kinetic temperature, dust temperature, and the fractional abundance are 0.8–2×10⁶ cm^–3, 150, 30–90 K, 0.8–8×10^–6. In the 4_–1-3₀ E and 5_–1-4₀ E methanol maser region of Sgr B2 the correspondance physical conditions above are 10⁴ cm³, 45, 23 K, and 7×10^–7, respectively.     

Star burst activity in high surface brightness galaxies

High surface brightness galaxies are also galaxies with high star-forming activity. About a half of them omit, on the average, twice as much energy in the IR than in the blue. The rates of star formation are 10–30 times higher than those in normal galaxies. On average 100–300 solar masses gas are converted into stars every year and 10–30 are massive stars.     

Galaxies with ultraviolet excess in physical systems

Erevan State University; Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 487–494, May–June, 1988.     

The emission of solar X-rays in the 0.5–3 Å wavelength range and its relation to the magnetic configuration of active centers

The slowly varying component of solar X-rays in the 0.5–3 Å wavelength range has been studied using data obtained by the satellite Explorer 30 (Solrad 8). The intensity of these X-rays is poorly correlated with the centimeter radio flux, contrary to the good correlation found in the spectral bands 1–8, 8–16 and 44–60 Å. On the other hand the 0.5–3 Å X-ray intensity is often connected to the development of a specific magnetic configuration in the sun spot group which may thus be associated with the X-ray producing active center.     

Statistical Weights and Selective Height Corrections in the Determination of the Solar Rotation Velocity

Observations of the Sun performed at 37 GHz with the 14-m radio telescope of the Metsähovi Radio Observatory were analyzed. Rotation velocities were determined, tracing Low Temperature Regions (LTRs) in the years 1979–1980, 1981–1982, 1987–1988, and 1989–1991. Statistical weights were ascribed to the determined rotation velocities of LTRs, according to the number of tracing days. Measured changes of the rotation velocity during the solar activity cycle, as well as a north–south rotation asymmetry, are discussed. The results obtained with and without the statistical weights procedure are compared, and it was found that the statistical significance of the solar differential rotation parameters' changes is higher when the statistical weights procedure is applied. A selective application of the height correction on LTR's positions has not removed the cycle-related changes nor the north–south asymmetry of the solar rotation measured tracing LTRs. So, projection effects cannot explain these changes. The differential rotation of LTRs is more rigid than the differential rotation obtained tracing magnetic features and measuring Doppler shifts, which can be explained by the association rate of the LTRs' positions with rigidly rotating `pivot points'. The observed cycle-related changes and the north–south asymmetry of the rotation velocity of LTRs are consistent with the cycle-related changes and the north–south asymmetry of the association rate between LTRs and pivot points.