Spectral analysis of the eclipsing variable V471 Tauri (BD+16°516)

Spectroscopic observations of the white-dwarf eclipsing binary V471 Tauri are reported. The behaviour of the H and K emission lines of Caii are investigated relative to the photoelectric observations, and the existence of a probable correlation between minimum emission line strength and the maximum wave position within the migrating wave is demonstrated.     

Ultra-high-resolution observations of CH in Southern Molecular Cloud envelopes

We present a mini-survey of ultrahigh-resolution spectroscopy (UHRS) of CH towards three southern molecular cloud envelopes. The sightlines are selected to probe physically similar gas in different Galactic environments. With a velocity resolution of ∼0.5 km s⁻¹  ( R =575 000)  these observations resolve most kinematic components of the absorption lines. We do, however, detect one line component in the Lupus region, which is not resolved and for which an upper limit of   b <0.3 km s^-1  is found. We find a correlation between distance of the absorbing gas from the Galactic mid-plane and the fractional abundance of CH. We show that this correlation can be explained as being a result of a fall-off in the ultraviolet radiation field intensity and propose that CH observations in carefully selected sightlines might allow a mapping of the variations in the interstellar radiation field.     

Fermi耀变体的能谱分布研究

从SSDC (Italian Space Agency Science Data Center)搜集了68个Fermi耀变体的射电至X射线波段的观测数据,用对数抛物线拟合计算了其同步辐射峰的参数.研究了有效谱指数、同步辐射峰值频率和曲率的关系并用有效谱指数估算同步峰频.主要结果有:(1)研究同步峰频和曲率的线性关系发现,对于全部的蝎虎天体(BL Lac),结果与能量依赖加速概率模型的预测一致.但是,如果仅仅考虑高峰频BL Lac,即同步峰频lg (ν_p/Hz)> 15.3的BL Lac,其结果却与分数变换加速增益模型的预测结果一致.(2)对于同步峰频相同的源,射电-光学的有效谱指数αro与曲率间有显著的负相关,而光学-X射线的有效谱指数α_ox与曲率无关.通过α_ro可以确定一个同步峰频与曲率的关系.     

The depolarization properties of powerful extragalactic radio sources as a function of cosmic epoch

We use the observed polarization properties of a sample of 26 powerful radio galaxies and radio-loud quasars to constrain the conditions in the Faraday screens local to the sources. We adopt the cosmological redshift, low-frequency radio luminosity and physical size of the large-scale radio structures as our 'fundamental' parameters. We find no correlation of the radio spectral index with any of the fundamental parameters. The observed rotation measure is also independent of these parameters, suggesting that most of the Faraday rotation occurs in the Galactic foreground. The difference between the rotation measures of the two lobes of an individual source, as well as the dispersion of the rotation measure, shows significant correlations with the source redshift, but not with the radio luminosity or source size. This is evidence that the small-scale structure observed in the rotation measure is caused by a Faraday screen local to the sources. The observed asymmetries between the lobes of our sources show no significant trends with each other or other source properties. Finally, we show that the commonly used model for the depolarization of synchrotron radio emission by foreground Faraday screens is inconsistent with our observations. We apply alternative models to our data and show that they require a strong increase of the dispersion of the rotation measure inside the Faraday screens with cosmological redshift. Correcting our observations with these models for redshift effects, we find a strong correlation of the depolarization measure with redshift and a significantly weaker correlation with radio luminosity. We do not find any (anti-)correlation of depolarization measure with source size. All our results are consistent with a decrease in the order of the magnetic field structure of the Faraday screen local to the sources for increasing cosmological redshift.     

Lithium abundances of 21 solar-type stars near the Sun

We present high-resolution spectroscopic observations for a sample of 21 young, solar-type stars near the Sun recently discovered in the X-ray wavelength range during the ROSAT all-sky survey. Based on these observations, we derive the lithium (Li) abundances of these 21 sample stars. Using the lithium abundances and the X-ray luminosity, we investigated the relationship between the Li abundances and the X-ray activity. We found a clear correlation between the lithium abundances and the X-ray luminosity: as the X-ray luminosity became stronger, the lithium abundance decreases in our sample stars. Our sample results provide further evidence that a correlation appears to exist between Li abundances, X-ray activity and age for a large number of solar-type stars. The results also confirm the presence of very active young stars close to the Sun, in agreement with recent findings from UV and X-ray surveys.     

Gas and dust in the BCD galaxy VII Zw 403 (UGC 6456)

Based on the results of the earlier spectroscopic observations with the 6-m BTA telescope of the SAO RAS we refine the metallicity estimates of the complexes of ionized gas in the VII Zw 403 galaxy. Infrared observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope are used to search for a possible correlation of the mass fraction distribution of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with the distribution of ionized and neutral hydrogen, and with the metallicity of gas in the HII regions of the galaxy.     

Metallicity, planetary formation and migration

Recent observations show a clear correlation between the probability of hosting a planet and the metallicity of the parent star. As radial velocity surveys are biased, however, towards detecting planets with short orbital periods, the probability–metallicity correlation could merely reflect a dependence of migration rates on metallicity. We investigated the possibility, but find no basis to suggest that the migration process is sensitive to the metallicity. The indication is, therefore, that a higher metallicity results in a higher probability for planet  formation .     

Fast quadratic power spectrum estimators and the E–B decomposition

We describe a fast, quadratic power spectrum estimator for cosmic microwave background polarization fields, based on heuristically-weighted correlation functions. The method can handle real-world effects such as inhomogeneous or correlated noise, and arbitrary sky cuts. A significant feature is that the electric and magnetic polarization powers are separated exactly in the mean, even for observations covering only a small region of the sky, and with a negligible increase in computational cost. The method is illustrated with simulations for a large-area survey, and a future, deep magnetic-polarization survey.     

X-ray intensity-hardness correlation and deep IR observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1RXS J170849-400910

We report here on X-ray and IR observations of the Anomalous X-ray Pulsar (AXP) 1RXS J170849-400910. First, we report on new XMM-Newton, Swift-XRT and Chandra observations of this AXP, which confirm the intensity–hardness correlation observed in the long term X-ray monitoring of this source. These new X-ray observations show that the AXP flux is rising again, and the spectrum hardening. If the increase of the source intensity is indeed connected with the glitches and a possible bursting activity, we expect this source to enter in a bursting active phase around 2006–2007. Second, we report on deep IR observations of 1RXS J170849-400910, taken with the VLT-NACO adaptive optics, showing that there are many weak sources consistent with the AXP position. Neither star A or B, as previously proposed by different authors, might yet be conclusively recognised as the IR counterpart of 1RXS J170849-400910. Third, using Monte Carlo simulations, we re-address the calculation of the significance of the absorption line found in a phase-resolved spectrum of this source, and interpreted as a resonant scattering cyclotron feature.     

Seyfert galaxies and the radio–far-infrared correlation

We have observed a sample of 149 Seyfert galaxies and radio-quiet quasars at 13 cm with both a 275-km radio interferometer and the 6-km compact array of the Australia Telescope. The high-resolution observations searched for the presence of compact, high-brightness-temperature radio emission from the active nucleus. The low-resolution observations measured the total radio emission from the galaxy disc and Seyfert core and lobes. From these we draw the following conclusions. (i) Seyfert galaxies that lack compact radio cores display a correlation between radio and far-infrared (FIR) emission similar to the correlation displayed by normal spirals, albeit with greater scatter. The correlation is found to be intrinsic and is not an artefact of the richness effect. (ii) A very different radio–FIR correlation is displayed by those Seyferts that harbour compact radio cores. These tend to be more radio-loud than either normal spirals or the Seyferts that lack compact cores. The compact core emission thus seems to be responsible for the generally poor radio–FIR correlation displayed by Seyfert galaxies. (iii) The radio–FIR correlation is not significantly improved by subtracting off the 0.1-arcsec (20- to 200-pc) compact radio emission from the total radio emission. This suggests that the emission from the active galactic nucleus has significant structure on scales larger than 0.1 arcsec. Perhaps these structures are the 'linear' radio features that have been seen previously in Seyfert nuclei.     

Chemo-spectrophotometric evolution of spiral galaxies – V. Properties of galactic discs at high redshift

We explore the implications for the high-redshift universe of 'state-of-the-art' models for the chemical and spectrophotometric evolution of spiral galaxies. The models are based on simple 'scaling relations' for discs, obtained in the framework of cold dark matter models for galaxy formation, and were 'calibrated' so as to reproduce the properties of the Milky Way and of nearby discs (at redshift z ∼0) . In this paper, we compare the predictions of our 'hybrid' approach to galaxy evolution to observations at moderate and high redshift. We find that the models are in fairly good agreement with observations up to z ∼1 , while some problems appear at higher redshift (provided there is no selection bias in the data); these discrepancies may suggest that galaxy mergers (not considered in this work) played a non-negligible role at z >1 . We also predict the existence of a 'universal' correlation between abundance gradients and disc scalelengths, independent of redshift.     

Solar Wind Speed and Expansion Rate of the Coronal Magnetic Field in Solar Maximum and Minimum Phases

Relationships between solar wind speed and expansion rate of the coronal magnetic field have been studied mainly by in-ecliptic observations of artificial satellites and some off-ecliptic data by Ulysses. In this paper, we use the solar wind speed estimated by interplanetary scintillation (IPS) observations in the whole heliosphere. Two synoptic maps of SWS estimated by IPS observations are constructed for two Carrington rotations CR 1830 and 1901; CR 1830 starting on the 11th of June, 1990 is in the maximum phase of solar activity cycle and CR 1901 starting on the 29th of September, 1995 is in the minimum phase. Each of the maps consist of 64800 (360×180) data points. Similar synoptic maps of expansion rate of the coronal magnetic field (RBR) calculated by the so-called potential model are also constructed under a radial field assumption for CR 1830 and CR1901. Highly significant correlation (r=–0.66) is found between the SWS and the RBR during CR1901 in the solar minimum phase; that is, high-speed winds emanate from photospheric areas corresponding to low expansion rate of the coronal magnetic field and low speed winds emanate from photospheric areas of high expansion rate. A similar result is found during CR 1830 in solar maximum phase, though the correlation is relatively low (r=–0.29). The correlation is improved when both the data during CR 1830 and CR 1901 are used together; the correlation coefficient becomes –0.67 in this case. These results suggest that the correlation analysis between the SWS and the RBR can be applied to estimate the solar wind speed from the expansion rate of the coronal magnetic field, though the correlation between them may depend on the solar activity cycle. We need further study of correlation analysis for the entire solar cycle to get an accurate empirical equation for the estimation of solar wind speed. If the solar wind speed is estimated successfully by an empirical equation, it can be used as an initial condition of a solar wind model for space weather forecasts.     

Quark-Novae Ia in the Hubble diagram: implications for dark energy

The accelerated expansion of the Universe was proposed through the use of Type-Ia supernovae （SNe） as standard candles. The standardization depends on an empirical correlation between the stretch/color and peak luminosity of the light curves. The use of Type-Ia SNe as standard candles rests on the assumption that their properties （and this correlation） do not vary with redshift. We consider the possibility that the majority of Type-Ia SNe are in fact caused by a Quark-Nova detonation in a tight neutron-star-CO-white-dwarf binary system, which forms a Quark-Nova Ia （QN-Ia）. The spin-down energy injected by the Quark-Nova remnant （the quark star） contributes to the post-peak light curve and neatly explains the observed correlation between peak luminosity and light curve shape. We demonstrate that the parameters describing QN-Ia are NOT constant in redshift. Simulated QN-Ia light curves provide a test of the stretch/color correlation by comparing the true distance modulus with that determined using SN light curve fitters. We determine a correction between the true and fitted distance moduli, which when applied to Type-Ia SNe in the Hubble diagram recovers the ΩM = 1 cosmology. We conclude that Type-Ia SNe observations do not necessitate the need for an accelerating expansion of the Universe （if the observed SNe Ia are dominated by QNe Ia） and by association the need for dark energy.     

Historical Space Climate Data from Finland: Compilation and Analysis

We have compiled archived geomagnetic observations from the Helsinki magnetic observatory as well as visual sightings of auroral occurrence in Finland. The magnetic database comprises about 2 000 000 observations of H- and D-components measured during 1844–1909 with time resolution of 10 min to 1 h. In addition, magnetic observations carried out in the First and Second Polar Years in Finland have been recompiled. Magnetic activity indices (three-hour K-and daily Ak-figures) have been derived from the magnetic observations. Comparisons between the Finnish indices and simultaneous global aa-index (starting in 1868) show a good mutual correlation. The Helsinki activity index series can be used as a (pseudo) extension of the aa-index series for about two solar cycles 1844d –1868. On the annual level the correlation coefficient is about 0.9 during the overlapped time interval 1868–1897. The auroral database consists of about 20 000 single observations observed in Finland since the year 1748. The database of visual auroras has been completed by auroral occurrence (AO) index data derived from the Finnish all-sky camera recordings during 1973 –1997 at several sites in Lapland. The AO-index reveals both spatial and temporal variations of auroras from diurnal to solar cycle time scales in different space weather conditions.     

1-Gbps VLBI, The First Detection of Fringes

We report on the detection of VLBI fringes from quasars by a new VLBI system operating at 1 Gbps (1024 Mbits-per-second). Newly developed 1024 Msps (mega sample-per-second) AD samplers and 1024 Mbps recorders were used for the observations. A correlator with external buffers was used for the 1024 Mbps correlation processing of the tapes data.Our new VLBI system enabled 1024 Mbps VLBI, and this allowed the sampling of a 512 MHz bandwidth from a radio telescope receiver. This is the highest sampling speed ever used for VLBI, and the widest bandwidth used for VLBI observation. Initial sensitivity as evaluated by SNR comparison with earlier VLBI systems produced results to matched the expanded bandwidth. In our first observations, simultaneous optical fibre linked real-time VLBI observations were made to check the validity of data and precisely detemine the clock offsets among the radio telescopes.     

Mock LAMOST galaxy redshift surveys: I. Methodology

For a wide range of cold dark matter models of galaxy formation, we present a general method for constructing mock LAMOST galaxy redshift surveys using cosmological N-body simulation. We use the two-parameter Lagrangian biased model for the construction, take into account the radial selection and survey geometry and use a local morphology-density relation to assign morphological types to the galaxies. We test the mock samples by comparing their angular correlation functions both for the whole catalogue and for different morphological types with those of the APM bright galaxy catalogue. The result shows an excellent agreement between the mock catalogue as a whole and the observations; but the E/S0 galaxies of the mock sample are unable to reproduce the overall amplitude of the observed correlation. The mock catalogue should be useful when designing redshift surveys and provide a valuable aid in developing new statistical estimators and algorithm for quantifying the large scale structure of the universe.     

A possible edge effect in enhanced network

K-line observations of enhanced network taken with the NASA/SPO Multichannel Spectrometer on 28 September 1975 in support of OSO-8 are discussed. The data show a correlation between core brightness and asymmetry for spatial scans which cross enhanced network boundaries. The implications of this result concerning mass flow in and near supergranule boundaries are discussed.     

卫星定位精度对在轨甚低频干涉测量影响分析

由于地球电离层的阻挡以及其他干扰,在地面难以进行有效的甚低频天文观测,而使用搭载于绕地或绕月轨道卫星上的甚低频天线进行干涉观测会大大提高观测灵敏度和角分辨率.卫星定位精度会影响观测数据的处理结果,进而影响成图质量,并且会大幅影响飞行项目的复杂度和总成本.首先分析卫星姿态控制精度和星间基线测量精度对绕地轨道甚低频干涉观测的影响,之后对干涉观测中信号延时误差进行仿真,研究延时误差与数据相关处理中条纹搜索范围之间的关系,并对数据计算速度需求进行估算.分析和仿真结果可以辅助相关空间甚低频观测项目总体方案的制定和工程指标的优化.     

Starspots: The zebra effect

Recent observations of brightness variations on the Sun during the solar cycle have motivated us to re-examine the widely held view that cool, dark starspots, covering a significant fraction of the star, are the centers of magnetic activity on BY Dra stars. We propose that the magnetic regions are better described by a bright facular network, and that the dark areas which give rise to photometric rotational modulation are actually regions where the underlying quiet photosphere is seen. This interpretation is consistent with recent observations of late-type stars that show that bright areas covering much of the star have magnetic fields with strengths of several thousand gauss. It resolves several problems with the current model, including the size, location, and stability of the starspots required to match photometric and Doppler-imaging observations. It also has interesting observational implications for the correlation of photometric rotational modulation and long term brightness variations with other surface activity, and for the positions of magnetically active stars in the H-R diagram.Hubble Fellow.