Fast Solar Wind Velocity in a Polar Coronal Hole during Solar Minimum

We present a study of the outflow velocity of the fast wind in the northern polar coronal hole observed on 21 May 1996, during the minimum of solar activity, in the frame of a joint observing program of the SOHO (Solar Heliospheric Observatory) mission. The outflow velocity is inferred from an analysis of the Doppler dimming of the intensities of the Ovi 1032, 1037 and Hi L 1216 lines observed between 1.5 R and 3.5 R with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS), operating onboard SOHO. The analysis shows that for a coronal plasma characterized by low density, as derived for a polar hole at solar minimum by Guhathakurta et al. (1999), and low temperature, as directly measured at the base of this coronal hole by David et al. (1998), the oxygen outflow speed derived spectroscopically is consistent with that implied by the proton flux conservation. The hydrogen outflow is also consistent with flux conservation if the deviation from isotropy of the velocity distribution of the hydrogen atoms is negligible. Hence, for this cool and tenuous corona, the oxygen ions and neutral hydrogen atoms flow outward roughly at the same speed, which increases from 40 km s^–1 at 1.5 R to 360 km s^–1 at 3.1 R , with an average acceleration of the order of 4.5×10³ cm s^–2. The highly anisotropic velocity distributions of the Ovi ions found in the analysis confirm that the process which is heating the oxygen ions acts preferentially across the magnetic field.     

Galactic4He and heavy elements enrichment by stellar nucleosynthesis

The contribution to the galactic abundance of He and heavy elements by stellar nucleosynthesis is calculated as a function of time, keeping account of present knowledge about stellar and galactic evolution. A model is used which distinguishes the phase of the contracting halo from the subsequent history of the disc. Various uncertainties involved both in stellar and in galactic evolutionary theory are discussed. The amount of⁴He produced by stars of different masses and ejected in interstellar medium is fairly well known from stellar theory, while we have assumed its primordial abundance as a free parameter, ranging from 0 up to 0.4. We find that stellar activity provides a significant contribution to the cosmic⁴He, though not sufficient to explain the observed abundance. The best agreement with observational data (Y 0.26 andY _now0.28) is obtained starting with a primordial abundanceY =(0.20–0.23), which is consisten with the Big-Bang theory predictions and with recent observational estimates. The contribution to the abundance of heavy elements depends on the last stellar stages and on the final explosion mechanism, which are only now beginning to be understood. Nevertheless, in the framework of present theories, we individuate a stellar evolutionary scheme reproducing the observedZ abundances for Populationi and Populationii stars, with the correctly estimated Y/Z value. In this scheme, only stars belonging to two narrow mass ranges (10m/m 15 andm/m 80) are allowed to eject metal-enriched matter, possibly with the solar (C+O)/(Si+Fe) ratio.     

Maximal red shifts of neutron stars

It has been recently established that there exists a maximal red shiftz _max for a homogeneous star of given massM. The relationshipz _max(M) is obtained for neutron stars in the mass range 0.71M/M 12.06.     

Photometry of the outer solar corona from lunar-based observations

Two-dimensional isophotes of the extreme solar corona (r _max 45 R ) have been derived from integrated vidicon pictures taken from the Moon's surface by the unmanned probes Surveyors 6 and 7. These data were calibrated through use of previously published values for the coronal brightness gradient along the ecliptic. The resulting structure of the outer corona is compared to ground-based observations of the innermost corona 1.125 r/R 2.0 made by the High Altitude Observatory K-coronameter. The possible existence of a streamer seen by Surveyor 7 is analyzed over the region 15 r 22.5 R .     

Central holes in disks of spiral galaxies

On the basis of the solutions obtained in the previous paper, the changes in the scenario of the standard model of the Big Bang are found. The chaos degree (constrainst on fluctuation spectra) is obtained, which could be still preserved by the initially completely chaotic Universe at the time of light elements nucleosynthesist _es. The time boundaries of hadron and lepton eras and the time the electron neutrinos and neutrons become frozen in reactions of weak interaction may be shifted up to 1.4 times. The corresponding temperatures may shift off from the standard ones 0.88 times if the mean-square level of fluctuations is close to unity. If the density of the energy of fluctuations concentrated in the short-wave region of the spectrum is less than 1.5 ^– , the nucleosynthesis leads to a helium abundance coinciding with the observe one. If at the timet _es the maximum of the spectral density of the energy is in the long-wave region, that is _max ct _es the level of the chaos during the period of nucleosynthesis is restricted to 1.76 (where |C _K |² d³ K,C _K is Fourier component of the amplitude of metric fluctuations). In particular, the protogalactic vortical disturbances with a wide spectrum 4 × 10^{3 -1}( = K/K, = /_crit) are compatible with the observed helium abundance.     

Theory of the Trojan asteroids,IV

In a previous publication (1977) the author has constructed a family () of long-periodic orbits in the Trojan case of the restricted problems of three bodies. Here he constructs the domain of the analytical solution of the problem of the motion, excluding the vicinity of thecritical divisor which vanishes at the exact commensurability of the natural frequencies ₁ and ₂. In terms of thecritical masses m_j(₂), or the associatedcritical energies _j ² (m), is the intersection of the intervals ofshallow resonance, of the form. Inasmuch as the intervals |₂– _j ² |<_j ofdeep resonance aredisjoint, it follows that (1) the disjointed family () embraces the tadpole branch, 0²1, lying in: and (2) despite the clustering of _j ² (m) atj=, the family () includes, for ²=1, an asymptoticseparatrix that terminates the branch in the vicinity of the Lagrangian pointL ₃.In a similar manner, the family () can be extended to the horseshoe branch 1<_{2 2} ² .     

The solar minimum temperature determined by the CO (A 1Π-X 1Σ)

The synthetic Voigt profile of the following transitions (v=0,v=0), (v=0,v=1), (v=1,v=1), (v=1,v=0) have been computed for different concentrations and temperatures of CO and compaed to the measured intensities of the UV sunspot spectrum by a high resolution spectrograph. From this comparison the solar minimum temperature has been determined.     

Apparent radii and other parameters for 416 B5 V-F5 V stars of the catalogue of the geneva observatory

Apparent radius, visual brightness, effective temperature and absolute radius for 416 B5 v-F5 v stars of the catalogue of the Geneva Observatory (Rufener, 1976) have been determined.Twenty-eight stars, anomalous in log versus (m _v)₀ diagrams, have been singled out. A good correlation for seven stars, in common with the list of Hanbury Brownet al. (1974), has been found. Similar parameters determined for 279 B5 v-F5 v stars of two preceding papers (Fracassiniet al., 1973, 1975) have allowed us to determine the averaged diagrams logq _v/q, logR/R and logT _e versus (B-V)₀ for 695 B5 v-F5 v stars.Moreover, in the present paper a good correlation logq _v/q versus logR/R and careful relation M _v=–7.40logR/R +3.31 for B5 v-F5 v stars have been determined. Plain correlations between logR/R and blanketing parameterm ₂ for some spectral types seem to point out that there arereal differences in the absolute radii of stars of thesame spectral type, in agreement with recent researches on the HR diagram (Houck and Fesen, 1978).Systematic differences between double (spectroscopic and visual) and single stars are found. In particular, the averaged relation m ₂ versus logR/R shows that A2 v-F5 v double stars may have a higher metallicity indexm ₂ and smaller absolute radii than single stars. Finally, the diagram logv sini versus logR/R confirms some properties of binary systems found by other researchers (Huang, 1966; Plavec, 1970; Levato, 1974; Kitamura and Kondo, 1978).Thesis for the degree in Applied Physics.     

Isotropization in Brans-Dicke-Bianchi type-V

In this paper we find that from the exact solution for Bianchi type-V in the Brans-Dicke theory with =0 the Hubble parameters are the same for , so that the Universe will be isotropized.     

The parameters of planetary nebulae and their central stars derived from observations

On the basis of data on planetary nebula (PN) central star temperatures obtained by measurements in the ultraviolet (UV) range, the empirical calibration dependence between the number of Lyman photons emitted by a central starS and PN diameterD, is constructed. The temperatures of 118 PN central stars are estimated with this dependence. It is shown that the central star masses are distributed in a wide interval from 0.5 to 1.2M . About 60% of all stars have masses <0.6M , about 25% have masses >0.6M and the remainder have masses 0.6M . The averaged empirical tracks of evolution of low-mass (<0.6M ) and massive (>0.6M ) central stars differing considerably from each other are constructed. It is shown that the majority of central stars may possess hot chromospheres (T>2×10⁵ K) which spread for several tens of radii of the central star. The PN originates as a result of ionization of the matter ejected by a red giant at the superwind stage. The cause for this ionization is the UV radiation of the PN central star.     

Evolution of massive close binaries and formation of neutron stars and black holes

Main results of computations of evolution for massive close binaries (10M +9.4M , 16M +15M , 32M +30M , 64M +60M ) up to oxygen exhaustion in the core are described. Mass exchange starting in core hydrogen, shell hydrogen and core helium burning stages was studied. Computations were performed assuming both the Ledoux and Schwarzschild stability criteria for semiconvection. The influence of UFI-neutrino emission on evolution of close binaries was investigated. The results obtained allow to outline the following evolutionary chain: two detached Main-Sequence stars — mass exchange — Wolf-Rayet star or blue supergiant plus main sequence star — explosion of the initially more massive star appearing as a supernova event — collapsed or neutron star plus Main-Sequence star, that may be observed as a runaway star — mass exchange leading to X-rays emission — collapsed or neutron star plus WR-star or blue supergiant — second explosion of supernova that preferentially disrupts the system and gives birth to two single high spatial velocity pulsars.Numerical estimates concerning the number and properties of WR-stars, pulsars and X-ray sources are presented. The results are in favour of the existence of UFI-neutrino and of the Ledoux criterion for describing semiconvection. Properties of several well-known X-ray sources and the binary pulsar are discussed on base of evolutionary chain of close binaries.     

Mass and orbit estimation of Planet X via a family of comets

The crucial assumption of this paper is, that the observed clustering of aphelion distances of intermediate-period comets in the 70–90 AU range is due to the influence of a tenth planet, called Planet X. We contribute to the search for Planet X a new and extended evaluation of a family of comets assumed to be Planet X's family of comets.By averaging the aphelion distances of comets that belong to a transplutonic family of comets, we get Planet X's semi-major axis a _x = (83.0 ± 5.3) AU. The comets' orbits also yield the upper limit of the planet's orbital eccentricity e _x - 0.019. If this planet played an important part in sending quasi-periodic comet showers to the inner solar system, we can calculate its orbital inclination i _x = 46 .1 ± 3 .6. By distributing all planets' masses into the heliocentric, torus-like zones, in which they were formed, we get the density distribution of the primordial solar nebula. Extrapolating this distribution we find the mass of the planet M _x = (5.1_–2.4 ^+3.6 M _Earth. A few plausible assumptions (e.g. Uranus and Neptune perturbations being caused by Planet X) lead to Planet X's actual location with declination and eccliptic longitude being = 57 ± 17 and = 54 ± 34 , respectively (1989.5 position). In addition, we give Planet X's apparent brightness dependent on its unknown albedo. All those properties and predictions are more or less in agreement with earlier work on Planet X.     

Size of the hard X-ray source in the Crab Nebula

The size of the hard X-ray source in the Crab Nebula was observed with scintillation counters on board two balloons at a lunar occulatation on 24 January, 1975. The Gaussian width of the source is 34 (+17, –14) and the center thereof is offset from the pulsar by 6±4 at position angle 102°. The observed time profile can also be fitted to an alternative model of two line sources whose intensities are 48% at 11 and 25.5% at 7 on both sides of the pulsar.Paper presented at the COSPAR Symposium on Fast Transients in X- and Gamma-Rays, held at Varna, Bulgaria, 29–31 May, 1975.     

The Pomeau-Manneville intermittent transition to chaos in hydrodynamic pulsation models

Hydrodynamic simulations of nonlinear pulsation for less-massive cool supergiants have been performed by several authors. Outburst of large amplitude oscillations at times is one of common features of these models. To find out routes of the transition from the limit cycles to the irregular pulsations. We performed hydrodynamic simulation for a series of models of luminosity log(L/L )=3.505, andT _e =5300 K with the range of the mass 1.4M M1.5M . With decreasing the mass, we confirm a transition from limit cycles to irregular oscillations.The nature of the transition is finally specified by examining the dissipation of pulsational kinetic energies in limit cycle models, when pulsations start with larger amplitudes than their limiting pulsations. We find that the rates of dissipation are so small that they might be marginally stable. Furthermore, the oscillation starting with even larger amplitudes gets the kinetic energies until it reaches a limit where the oscillation induces strong shock waves and dissipates its kinetic energy. Thus, we conclude that the model which has the stable limit cycle near the transition has another unstable fixed point above the limit cycle. The transition, therefore, is induced by disappearance of these two fixed points, as the mass, the control parameter in our case, is varied, and is found exactly in aggreement with the intermittency proposed by Pomeau and Manneville as a route to chaos in dissipative systems.     

The behaviour of the infrared lines of neutral oxygen and the balmer lines of hydrogen in the spectra of early-type stars with emission lines

The equivalent widths of the oxygen lines at 7774 and 8446 and of H (and some H) have been measured for 22 early-type, emission-line stars. A strong correlation between H and 8446 intensities has been found, although there is no such correlation between H and 7774. This confirms the probability that Bowen's mechanism is operative (the neutral oxygen 3³ D state is overpopulated because the excitation energy of Ly- nearly coincides with that of theOi 1025 line). The possibility of using 8446 and H equivalent widths for a comparison of oxygen to hydrogen abundances in these stars is discussed.     

Plasma acceleration by radiation in X-ray pulsars

Charged particle acceleration is considered by a radiation flux from a star or hot spot in X-ray pulsars. It is shown that for any distance from the star there exists the upper velocity limit up to which a particle can be accelerated by radiation. This critical velocity does not depend on the luminosity of the spot. Near the hot spot surface the critical velocityv0.65c. These results are applied to plasma acceleration inX-ray pulsars. The mechanism is advanced, of -ray generation in the course of plasma accretion, onto a neutron star. It is shown that in the presence of a large magnetic field and high luminosity of the spot the relativistic electron-position avalanche may appear. The optical depth of the electron-positron cloud achieves the value of order one. The X-ray quanta emitted by the spot are scattered by relativistic (2.6) electron-positron pairs and are transformed into -radiation. Hard quanta with energy 1 MeV leave the generation region in the narrow cone 0.25.     

Free-convection effects on MHD flow past a porous plate with step function change in suction velocity

Free convection effects on MHD flow past a semi infinite porous flat plate is studied when the time dependent suction velocity changes in step function form. The solution of the problem is obtained in closed form for the fluid with unit Prandtl number. It is observed that for both cooling and heating of the plate the suction velocity enhances the velocity field. The heat transfer is higher with increase in suction velocity.Notations B intensity of magnetic field - G Grashof number - H magnetic field parameter,H=(M+1/4) ^1/2–1/2 - M magnetic field parameter - N _u Nusselt number - P Prandtl number of the fluid - r suction parameter - T temperature of the fluid - T _w temperature of the plate - T temperature of the fluid at infinity - t time - t non-dimensional time - u velocity of the fluid parallel to the plate - u non-dimensional velocity - U velocity of the free stream - suction velocity - ₁ suction velocity att0 - ₂ suction velocity att>0 - x,y coordinate axes parallel and normal to the plate, respectively - y non-dimensional distance normal to the plate - coefficient of volume expansion - thermal diffusivity - kinematic viscosity - electric conductivity of the fluid - density of the fluid - non-dimensional temperature of the fluid - shear stress at the plate - non dimensional shear stress - erf error function - erfc complementary error function     

Thermodynamical and dynamical evolution of a self-gravitating object and the influence of ionization

We use a simple equation of state, in which the adiabatic index depends on opacity and ionization and we integrate the dynamical and thermodynamical equations for the gravitational collapse of a typical solar composition protocloud, up to the virialization of the energies. Following the evolution of the thermal energy and ionization fraction, violent bounces are obtained at the sudden hardening of the equation of state, when the material becomes ionized.We also suggest a mechanism to explain the onset of protostellar winds.We introduce radiation losses in the model, and integrate again the modified equations, studying the evolution of a 1.1M protocloud. The object's effective temperature stays in a confined small zone of the IR region throughout its fast (40 yr) evolution and its luminosity oscillates and decreases from 5000L to 500L . The radius starts from 35 AU and shrinks down to 140R , before a physical instability gives birth to a strong shock wave with consequent mass loss.     

Neutron stars and general equation of nuclear matter

It has been shown that the mass of neutron stars obtained from equations of state based on nuclear theory depend upon the number of baryons assembled in it but not on the type of interactions considered. On examining the behaviour of different equations of state based on nuclear theories, a simple polytropic equation of state,P = (K/N)(p –p _s)^N is proposed. The results obtained forN=1.75 cover the entire range of neutron star masses obtained from the equations of state based on nuclear theories and give a maximum mass of 2.8M . Depending upon various mechanisms for energy output the mass of Crab pulsar is estimated to range from 0.32M to 1.5M . The relation connecting the coordinate mass,M, and the rest mass,M ₀, may be written asM/M 0.93 (M ₀/M)^0.9.     

Equation of state of dense nuclear matter and an upper bound on neutron star masses

We have discussed, in general, the important physical parameters, likemaximum mass, radius, and the minimum rotation period of self-bound,causally consistent, and pulsationally stable neutron stars (Q-starmodels) by using a realistic stiff EOS (such that, the speed of sound,v P ^N, or nP=K(E-E _a ) ⁿ, where K 1 and n =1/(1-2N);where P and E represent respectively, the pressure and theenergy-density, and E _a is the value of E at the surface (r = a) of the configuration) within the two constraints imposed by: (i) The minimumrotation period, P _rot, for the pulsar known to date corresponds to1.558 ms, and (ii) The maximum number density anywhere inside thestructure for the models described as Q-stars cannot exceed 1nucleon/fm³. By using the empirical formula given by Koranda,Stergioulas and Friedman (1997) (KSF-formula), and imposing constraint(i), we have obtained an upper bound of M _max 7.76 M radius a 32.5 km, and the central energy-density around 2.17 ×10¹⁴ g cm^-3 (for n =1.01). Constraint (ii) provides the minimumrotation period, P _rot 0.489 ms for the maximum mass M _max 2.4 M, and the central energy-density around 2.20 ×10¹⁵ g cm^-3 (for n =1.01). The speed of sound at the centre ofthese models approaches 99% of the speed of light `c' (in thevacuum) and vanishes at the surface of the configuration together withpressure. If we relax the maximum Kepler frequency imposed by the fastestrotating pulsar known to date (constraint (i)), in view of certainobservational effects and theoretical evidences, and allow the present EOSto produce larger rotation rates than the 1.558 ms pulsar, the maximummass of the non-rotating model drops down to a value 7.2 M .The higher values of masses ( 7 M ) and radii (31-32 km) obtained in this study imply that these models may representthe massive compact objects like Cyg X-1, Cyg XR-1, LMC X-3, and otherswhich are known as black hole candidates (BHCs). This study also suggestthat the strongest contender for black hole at present might be recurrentnova V404 Cyg (mass estimate 8 -12 M ).