Solar rotation as determined from OSO-4 EUV spectroheliograms

Spectroheliograms obtained in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lines and the Lyman continuum are used to determine the rotation rate of the solar chromosphere, transition region, and corona. A cross-correlation analysis of the observations indicates the presence of differential rotation through the chromosphere and transition region. The rotation rate does not vary with height. The average sidereal rotation rate is given by (deg day^–1) = 13.46 - 2.99 sin² B where B is the solar latitude. This rate agrees with spectroscopic determinations of the photospheric rotation rate, but is slower by 1 deg day^–1) = 13.46 - 2.99 sin² than rates determined from the apparent motion of photospheric magnetic fields and from the brightest points of active regions observed in the EUV. The corona does not clearly show differential rotation as do the chromosphere and transition region.     

Rotation rate of high-latitude sunspots

Rotation rate of 19 high latitude (28–44°) short-lived sunspots collected in 1978–1979 are compared with Newton and Nunn's (1951) recurrent spots rate. To reduce the effect of proper motion in spots of new regions, our measurements start only when the spots have matured or very nearly so. Compared with the expression = 14.38–2.96 sin² derived from 1934–44 data by Newton and Nunn, our results show a slightly lower differential rotation in the 28–40° zone. They are in better agreement with the Greenwich average results of the five solar cycles beginning 1878: = 14.37–2.60 sin² .Hale Observatories are operated jointly by the Carnegie Institution of Washington and the California Institute of Technology.     

High-Latitude Solar Rotation Traced by Magnetic Elements

Sequential observations at Huairou Solar Observation Station, China, and Kitt Peak, U.S.A., show that polar magnetic elements can live from several to more than 58 hours. This enables measurement of the solar rotation rate near the polar region by tracing magnetic element motions. With observations carried out on 8–15 July 1997, we identify and trace more than 1300 elements at north heliographic latitudes between 55°–85° using two methods, and fit the mean sidereal rotation rate as =14.0±0.54–(2.24±1.22)sin²–(1.78±0.79)sin⁴ deg per day.     

Radiation from a strongly-magnetized plasma: The case of predominant scattering

On the basis of diffusion approach for normal modes, solutions of the radiative transfer problem are obtained and analysed for an optically thick tenuous plasma with a strong magnetic field. The case is considered when the scattering processes without change of photon frequency are dominant. The radiative transfer coefficients as well as spectra, angular dependences and polarization of the outgoing radiation are investigated in detail for a cold plasma,kT _emc ², |–s _B|kT _e/mc ² )^1/2|cos|, whereT _e is the electron plasma temperature, _B=eB/mc the electron cyclotron frequency,s=1,2,... the number of cyclotron harmonic and the angle between the magnetic field and wave vector. The effects of electronpositron vacuum polarization are taken into account and shown to be very significant. Simple analytic solutions are obtained for various limiting cases (small and large vacuum polarization; high, low and close to the cyclotron resonance radiation frequencies; different orientations of the magnetic field, etc). The results obtained are necessary for analysing X-ray and gamma-ray radiation from strongly magnetized neutron stars.     

On the numerical evaluation of theH-functions of transfer problems in multiplying media

Extensive tables of the values ofH-functionsH ⁰(z, ) andH ₁ ⁰ (z, ) appropriate for the problems of radiative transfer in multiplying media characterized by >1, have been constructed correctly to the sixth decimal place for values of in the range 1.05–10. This accuracy has been attained with the aid of a 32-point Gaussian quadrature.     

Solar surface velocity fields determined from small magnetic features

We describe a method for the analysis of magnetic data taken daily at the Vacuum Telescope at Kitt Peak. In this technique, accurate position differences of very small magnetic features on the solar surface outside active regions are determined from one day to the next by a cross-correlation analysis. In order to minimize systematic errors, a number of corrections are applied to the data for effects originating in the instrument and in the Earth's atmosphere. The resulting maps of solar latitude vs central meridian distance are cross-correlated from one day to the next to determine daily motions in longitude and latitude. Some examples of rotation and meridional motion results are presented. For the months of May 1988 and October–November 1987, we find rotation coefficients A = 2.894 ± 0.011, B = - 0.428 ± 0.070, and C = -0.370 ± 0.077 in rad s^–1 from the expansion = A + B sin² + C sin⁴, where is the latitude. The differential rotation curve for this interval is essentially flat within 20 deg of the equator in these intervals. For the same intervals we find a poleward meridional motion a = 16.0 ± 2.8 m sec ^-1 from the relation v = a sin, where v is the line-of-sight velocity.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

Two-photon annihilation radiation in strong magnetic field: the case of small longitudinal velocities of electrons and positrons

Spectra, angular distributions, and polarization of two-photon annihilation radiation in a magnetic field are studied in detail in the case of small longitudinal velocities of annihilating electrons and positrons which occupy the ground Landau level. Magnetic field essentially affects the annihilation if its magnitudeB is not very low in comparison withB _cr=4.4×10¹³G, which may take place near the surface of a neutron star. The magnetic field broadens the spectra (the width depends on an angle betweenB and a wave vector) and leads to their asymmetry. The angular distribution may be highly anisotropic, being fan-like or pencillike for different photon energies . The total annihilation rate is suppressed by the magnetic field (B ^–3 forBB _cr).The radiation is linearly polarized; the degree and orientation of the polarization depend onB, and . The polarization may reach several tens percent even for comparatively small fieldsB 0.1B _crtypical for neutron stars. This means that the polarization may be detected, e.g., in the annihilation radiation from the gamma-ray bursts.     

Slowly rotating cosmological viscous fluid universe in Brans-Dicke theory

The Brans-Dicke field equations for a viscous distribution representing slowly rotating fluid spheres are investigated. Exact solutions are obtained for differential rotation by imposing physical restrictions on the matter rotation (r,t). The physical properties are discussed fork=±1.     

Differential rotation and giant cell circulation of solar Ca+-network

We report new results obtained from high precision computer controlled tracings of ca. 400 bright Ca⁺-mottles made during summer 1975 in continuation of our 1974 program (Schröter and Wöhl, 1975). In particular, we looked in 1975 for the existence of a giant circulation pattern in the equatorial zone. We find for the differential rotation: = 13.93 – 2.90 sin² B (deg/day, sidereal) when combining the new measurements with those obtained in 1974. Observations from 26th April until June 19th give strong evidence that at that time four giant circulation cells, crossing the solar equator, (i.e. a nonaxisymmetric velocity field pattern with respect to the solar equator) did exist. This yields two more rapid and two slower rotating sectors with v = ±80 m s^–1. These giant cells transport angular momentum towards the equator.     

Electrostatic Wave Instability and Plasma Radiation from Coronal Loops

Polarization properties of solar and stellar radio emission require, in some cases, emission below the third or fourth coronal electron gyro level, < 3,_c; 4, _c. In the context of plasma radiation, the source parameters should be such that the intermediate magnetic field condition 1 < _p ² / _c ² < 3 is satisfied. Supposing this condition, we investigate the generation of electrostatic waves in a warm background plasma with a high-energy component of magnetically trapped electrons. We invoke the conversion of upper-hybrid waves and Bernstein waves into electromagnetic radiation as being responsible for intense radio emission from a coronal magnetic loop. Moreover, odd-half harmonic emissions in the solar radio spectrum as well as the o-mode polarization at the second harmonic of the plasma frequency are natural consequence of this proposed model.     

Plasma Resonance Surfaces in the Magnetic Field Reconnection and Radio Fine Structures

Using a 2-D MHD model, the magnetic field reconnection in the current sheet and corresponding plasma resonance lines (surfaces in 3-D), where the upper-hybrid frequency equals one of harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency, _UH=(_pe ²+_Be ²)^1/2=s_Be (_UH, _pe, and _Be are the upper hybrid, electron plasma, and cyclotron frequencies, respectively, and s is the integer harmonic number) are computed. Then at selected times and positions in the magnetic reconnection the spatial and time spectra of upper hybrid frequencies along the resonance lines are calculated. These spectra are discussed from the point of view of radio fine structures as narrowband dm-spikes, zebras, and lace bursts. It is shown that not only turbulent plasma outflows, suggested in the paper by Bárta and Karlický (2001), but also perturbed zones near the reconnection slow-mode shocks can be locations of the narrowband dm-spikes (and/or continua). Sources of the lace bursts (i.e. bursts with irregular lines) can be located in the reconnection space, too. On the other hand, the zebras (bursts with regular separations of zebra lines) need to be generated out of strongly perturbed reconnection areas.     

On the origin of type III fundamental

A two-component scheme for the generation of type III fundamental radiation is proposed. The first component of the fundamental arises at a plasma level _{L t} because of the Rayleigh scattering of the plasma waves into electromagnetic radiation. The other component arises at _{L t} /2 because of the decay of the first component into plasma waves and the subsequent rescattering of the plasma waves into electromagnetic radiation _t 2( _t /2). By its properties (location, directivity, polarization) the second component is essentially the same as the second harmonic radiation produced by a stream of fast electrons at _L ( _t /2). This scheme is used to solve the main problems (localization and directivity of the source, polarization of type III fundamental) of the harmonic theory of type III solar bursts.     

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.     

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.     

Concerning isothermal self-similar blast waves

We investigate the one-dimensional self-similar flow behind a blast wave from a plane explosion in a medium whose density varies with distance asx _– with the assumption that the flow is isothermal. If <0 a continuous solution passing through the origin and the shock does not exist. If 1/3>>0 one critical point exists. To be physically acceptable the flow must by-pass this critical point. It is shown that a continuous solution passing through both the origin and through the shock and by-passing the critical point does exist. If 1>>1/3 the first critical point does not exist but a second one appears. To be physically acceptable the flow must again by-pass this new critical point. We show that a continuous solution passing through both the origin and the shock and by-passing the new critical point exists in this case. If >1 no physically acceptable solution exists since the mass behind the shock is infinite.The dependence of the solutions on the parameter is analytic for >0 so that interpolation between neighboring values of is permitted.We investigate the stability of these isothermal blast waves to one-dimensional but non-self-similar perturbations. If 0<<5/7, the solutions are shown to be linearly unstable against short wavelength perturbations near the origin. If the solution crosses the shock with a normalized velocityu>2 the solution is linearly unstable against short wavelength perturbations near the shock for 1>>0. If the solution crosses the shock with normalized velocity 2>u>1 (and it must cross the shock withu>1), the solution is certainly unstable against short wavelength perturbations near the shock for >11/19 and, depending on the crossing velocity, can be unstable there for all .Thus for 1>>0, the solution is always unstable somewhere. Since there is no characteristic time scale in the system all instabilities grow as a power law of time rather than exponentially. The existence of these instabilities implies that initial deviations do not decay and the system does not tend to a self-similar form.     

Additional measurements of the high-latitude sunspot rotation rate

We report measurements of the sunspot rotation rate at high sunspot latitutdes for the years 1966–1968. Ten spots at ¦latitude¦ 28 deg were found in our Mees Solar Observatory H patrol records for this period that are suitable for such a study. On the average we find a sidereal rotation rate of 13.70 ± 0.07 deg day^-1 at 31.05 ± 0.01 deg. This result is essentially the same as that obtained by Tang (1980) for the succeeding solar cycle, and significantly larger than Newton and Nunn's (1951) results for the 1934–1944 cycle. Taken together, the full set of measurements in this latitude regime yield a rotation rate in excellent agreement with the result =14^°.37₇–2^°.77 sin², derived by Newton and Nunn from recurrent spots predominatly at lower latitudes throughout the six cycles from 1878–1944.Summer Research Assistant.     

Large-amplitude low-frequency electromagnetic waves in pulsar magnetospheres

Nonlinear propagation of strong low-frequency waves, as emitted by pulsars or compact galactic nuclei at their rotation frequencies, in a magnetized plasma is investigated. It is shown that even rather small amplitude waves can drive electrons to ultrarelativistic energies. In the limit when the electrons are ultrarelativistic but the ions are immobile, two types of circularly polarized waves (i.e., ^± modes) are excited. In the wave zone of the Crab pulsar, both the electric field ( 3 V m^–1) and the wavelength (10⁸ m) of the ^- mode are larger, by an order of magnitude, than those of the ⁺ wave mode. Both ^± modes can become modulationally unstable due to their nonlinear interaction with density fluctuations induced by the electrostatic waves.     

High-frequency radiation from a particle falling into a Kerr black hole

The high-frequency electromagnetic and gravitational radiation from a relativistic particle falling into a Kerr and Schwarzschild black hole is considered. The spectral and angular distributions of the radiation power are calculated by the WKB technique to Teukolsky's equations. The spectra obtained have a characteristic exponential cut-off at the frequency = _char. which is proportional to the particle Lorentz factor =(1–v ²/c²)^–1/2. At the frequencies as low as those compared with _char. both electromagnetic and gravitational spectra are flat. The amount of the energy emitted in the low-frequency modes of the radiation depends strongly on the radiation spin. It is proportional to ln for the electromagnetic and to ³ for the gravitational radiation.     

Large-scale motions in the sun

Large-scale solar motions comprise differential rotation (with latitudinal, and perhaps radial gradients), axially symmetric meridional motions, and possible asymmetric motions (giant convective cells or Rossby-type waves or both). These motions must be basic in any satisfactory theory of the changing pattern of solar magnetic fields and of the 22-yr cycle. In the present paper available data are discussed and, as far as possible, evaluated and explained.Rotational measurements are based on the changing positions of discrete features such as sunspots, on Doppler shifts, on geophysical changes and on statistical evaluation of the motions of diffuse objects. The first mentioned, comprising faculae, sunspots, K-corona (to latitudes 45°) and filaments, show agreement better than 0.7 %. A new formula for surface rotation _s , based on faculae and sunspot data, is _s = 14.52 – 2.48 sin² b – 2.51 sin⁶ b deg day^–1, where b is latitude, and validity may extend to about 70°. Errors in Doppler shift measurements and statistical treatments are discussed. There is evidence of a much slower coronal rate at high latitudes, and of a slower sub-surface rate at lower latitudes.Ordered meridional motions have been revealed by statistical investigations of the positions of spot groups, of spots and of filaments. All these results seem explicable in terms of an oscillating hydro-magnetic circulation in each hemisphere. These have both 11-yr and 22-yr components, and these periods are provided by a general dipole field of about one gauss, together with a pair of toroidal fields centred at latitudes ±16° and of average strength of order 10 G.Evidence of large-scale (perhaps 3 × 10⁵ km), irregular surface motions is provided by the distribution of surface magnetic flux, the motions of sunspots, and Doppler-shift observations; it is supported by Ward's theory of the equatorial acceleration. The possibility is suggested that these asymmetric motions also drive the oscillatory meridional motions.     

Asymptotic properties of disk dynamo

The asymptotic properties of a turbulent disk dynamo at large dimensionless numbersR andR characterizing the helicity and the differential rotation are analysed. Three types of generations in the dependence of the relations betweenR andR are found: ²-dynamo and two types of -dynamo. For each of these types the rates of growth are obtained and the forms of solution are pointed out. Boundaries of the disk dynamo approximation are given.