New C13N14 search regions in the solar spectrum

Ten new rotational line positions, due to the (0,0) red C¹³N¹⁴ band, are calculated to fall squarely within continuum regions 1–2 Å wide in the near infrared solar spectrum, , 10 990–11 630. Precision observations of the isotopic line strengths in this spectral region, albeit difficult, should resolve the present ambiguity in the blue-violet observations of whether or not the solar C¹²/C¹³ ratio is equal to or larger than the terrestrial ratio.     

The C/C isotopic ratio in Titan hydrocarbons from Cassini/CIRS infrared spectra

We have analyzed infrared spectra of Titan recorded by the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) to measure the isotopic ratio ¹²C/¹³C in each of three chemical species in Titan's stratosphere: CH₄, C₂H₂ and C₂H₆. This is the first measurement of ¹²C/¹³C in any C₂ molecule on Titan, and the first measurement of ¹²CH₄/¹³CH₄ (non-deuterated) on Titan by remote sensing. Our spectra cover five widely-spaced latitudes, 65° S to 71° N and we have searched for both latitude variability of ¹²C/¹³C within a given species, and also for differences between the ¹²C/¹³C in the three gases. For CH₄ alone, we find (1-σ), essentially in agreement with the ¹²CH₄/¹³CH₄ measured by the Huygens Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer instrument (GCMS) [Niemann, H.B., and 17 colleagues, 2005. Nature 438, 779-784]: 82.3±1.0, and also with measured values in H¹³CN and ¹³CH₃D by CIRS at lower precision [Bézard, B., Nixon, C., Kleiner, I., Jennings, D., 2007. Icarus 191, 397-400; Vinatier, S., Bézard, B., Nixon, C., 2007. Icarus 191, 712-721]. For the C₂ species, we find in C₂H₂ and 89.8±7.3 in C₂H₆, a possible trend of increasingly value with molecular mass, although these values are both compatible with the Huygens GCMS value to within error bars. There are no convincing trends in latitude. Combining all fifteen measurements, we obtain a value of , also compatible with GCMS. Therefore, the evidence is mounting that ¹²C/¹³C is some 8% lower on Titan than on the Earth (88.9, inorganic standard), and lower than typical for the outer planets (88±7 [Sada, P.V., McCabe, G.H., Bjoraker, G.L., Jennings, D.E., Reuter, D.C., 1996. Astrophys. J. 472, 903-907]). There is no current model for this enrichment, and we discuss several mechanisms that may be at work.     

Correlations between statistical population indices and spectral characteristics of carbon stars

The coefficients of correlation between spectroscopic data published by Yamashita (1967) and others for carbon stars and the statistical population indices calculated for these stars at the Toru Observatory are calculated (Table II). The intensity estimates of Cai 4227 Å, Nai D lines, the C¹³/C¹² ratio, then=n(Li/Ca) index, as well as CN and probably C₂ bands are higher in population I carbon stars. The CH(G) band and probably hydrogen (H, H, H) lines as well as Baii 4554 and 4934 Å lines are stronger in population II carbon stars. The photoelectric colour indices, corrected for interstellar reddening do not show significant population effects. They can be used as spectral type equivalents. For a population criterion the CH/CN intensity ratio is proposed.     

The Titan N/N and C/C isotopic ratios in HCN from Cassini/CIRS

We report the detection of H¹³CN and HC¹⁵N in mid-infrared spectra recorded by the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) aboard Cassini, along with the determination of the ¹²C/¹³C and ¹⁴N/¹⁵N isotopic ratios. We analyzed two sets of limb spectra recorded near 13-15° S (Tb flyby) and 83° N (T4 flyby) at 0.5 cm⁻¹ resolution. The spectral range 1210-1310 cm⁻¹ was used to retrieve the temperature profile in the range 145-490 km at 13° S and 165-300 km at 83° N. These two temperature profiles were then incorporated in the atmospheric model to retrieve the abundance profile of H¹²C¹⁴N, H¹³CN and HC¹⁵N from their bands at 713, 706 and 711 cm⁻¹, respectively. The HCN abundance profile was retrieved in the range 90-460 km at 15° S and 165-305 km at 83° N. There is no evidence for vertical variations of the isotopic ratios. Constraining the isotopic abundance profiles to be proportional to the HCN one, we find at 15° S, and at 83° N, two values that are statistically consistent. A combination of these results yields a ¹²C/¹³C value equal to 75±12. This global result, as well as the 15° S one, envelop the value in Titan's methane (82.3±1) [Niemann, H.B., and 17 colleagues, 2005. Nature 438, 779-784] measured at 10° S and is slightly lower than the terrestrial inorganic standard value (89). The ¹⁴N/¹⁵N isotopic ratio is found equal to at 15° S and at 83° N. Combining the two values yields ¹⁴N/¹⁵N = 56 ± 8, which corresponds to an enrichment in ¹⁵N of about 4.9 compared with the terrestrial ratio. These results agree with the values obtained from previous ground-based millimeter observations [Hidayat, T., Marten, A., Bézard, B., Gautier, D., Owen, T., Matthews, H.E., Paubert, G., 1997. Icarus 126, 170-182; Marten, A., Hidayat, T., Biraud, Y., Moreno, R., 2002. Icarus 158, 532-544]. The ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio found in HCN is ∼3 times higher than in N₂ [Niemann, H.B., and 17 colleagues, 2005. Nature 438, 779-784], which implies a large fractionation process in the HCN photochemistry.     

Detection of CH3D on Titan

We report the detection of ¹³CH₃D in Titan's stratosphere from Cassini/CIRS infrared spectra near 8.7 μm. Fitting simultaneously the ν₆ bands of both ¹³CH₃D and ¹²CH₃D and the ν₄ band of CH₄, we derive a D/H ratio equal to and a ¹²C/¹³C ratio in deuterated methane of , consistent with that measured in normal methane.     

The violet opacity in the red peculiar stars (II)

Moderate dispersion (25-35 Å mm^–1) spectra were obtained from two carbon stars, V Cyg and WZ Cas, in a wide range of wavelengths (3400-6800 Å) with the echelle-spectrometer, ZEBRA, of the 6 m telescope and two-dimensional photon-counting system. Spectral feature identification was carried out from 3850 to 6200 Å. Most of the bands are due to C₂, SiC₂, and CN, however, particularly in WZ Cas, moderate atomic lines of the iron peak and s-process elements are also found. WZ Cas is a so-called lithium star, however, we have found no evidence for a strong line of Li. The spectra of V Cyg contain an emission line of H.     

The violet opacity in the red peculiar stars (I)

Moderate dispersion (25–35 Å mm^–1) spectra were obtained from two carbon stars, LW Cyg and Y Tau, in a wide range of wavelengths ( 3400–6800 Å) with the 6 m echellespectrometer ZEBRA and two dimensional photon-counting system. Spectral feature identification was carried out from 3800 to 6300 Å. Most of the bands are due to C₂, CN, and SiC₂, however, atomic lines of the iron peak and s-process element also are represented. LW Cyg have intense isotopic carbon bands. The wavelengths and band-intensity were estimated.     

The12C/13C isotope ratio in comets,stars and interstellar matter

The¹²C/¹³C isotope ratio in the interstellar medium and in stellar atmospheres is discussed and compared to the value found in the solar system and especially in comets. The cometary value (100) tends to be slightly above the terrestrial value and is definitively higher than that for interstellar molecular clouds (about 30 to 50).This result implies that comets are not of interstellar origin; that the original isotopic abundances of the primitive solar nebula has been preserved in the cometary material; and that due to an enrichment of the interstellar medium in¹³C, the¹²C/¹³C isotope ratio has decreased by a factor of about 2.5 since the formation of the solar system (i.e., during the past 4.5×10⁹ years) — a result which is roughly in agreement with present theories of the chemical evolution of our Galaxy. The relatively high cometary carbon isotope ratio (as compared to the terrestrial value) indicates that some correction should be applied to the semi-empirical models describing the¹³C enrichment in the Galaxy.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 30 May, 1978.     

He-rich white dwarfs: Birth-rate and kinematics of different groups of white dwarfs

The temperatures, radii, and masses of 81 He-rich white dwarfs are calculated from photometric data. It is shown that, on the average, they are less massive than DA white dwarfs: 70% of He-rich white dwarfs have masses<0.55M _⊙. Space density and birth-rate for different mass groups of H-rich and He-rich white dwarfs are obtained. Birth-rate is 1×10^?12 pc^?3 yr^?1 and 1.5×10^?12pc^?3yr^?1 for He-rich and H-rich white dwarfs, respectively. The mean mass of nascent white dwarfs is about 0.55M _⊙. It is shown thatV _Tand its dispersion σ are correlated with the mass of white dwars, and from this progenitors' masses — of different mass groups of white dwarfs are estimated.     

Gravitational Radiation from Pulsating Magnetic White Dwarfs

Rotating white dwarfs undergoing quasi-radial oscillations can emit gravitational radiation in a frequency range from 0.1-0.3 Hz. Assuming that the energy source for the gravitational radiation comes from the oblateness of the white dwarf induced by the rotation, the strain amplitude is found to be 10^-25 for a white dwarf at 50 pc. We had calculated thermal energy losses through a magneto-hydrodynamic mechanism and found it smaller than estimated before. The galactic population of these sources is estimated to be 10⁷ and may produce a confusion-limited foreground for proposed advanced detectors in the frequency band between space-based and ground-based interferometers. Nearby oscillating white dwarfs may provide a clear enough signal to investigate white dwarf interiors through gravitational wave astroseismology.     

Elemental and isotope behavior of macromolecular organic matter from CM chondrites during hydrous pyrolysis

Abstract— A new insight into carbon and hydrogen isotope variations of insoluble organic matter (IOM) is provided from seven CM chondrites, including Murchison and six Antarctic meteorites (Y‐791198, Y‐793321, A‐881280, A‐881334, A‐881458 and B‐7904) as well as Murchison IOM residues after hydrous pyrolysis at 270–330 °C for 72 h. Isotopic compositions of bulk carbon (δ¹³C_bulk) and hydrogen (δD) of the seven IOMs vary widely, ranging from ?15.1 to ?7.6%₀ and +133 to +986%₀, respectively. Intramolecular carboxyl carbon (δ13C_COOH) is more enriched in ¹³C by 7.5. 11%₀ than bulk carbon. After hydrous pyrolysis of Murchison IOM at 330 °C, H/C ratio, δ13C_bulk, δ13C_COOH, and δD values decrease by up to 0.31, 3.5%₀, 5.5%₀, and 961%₀, respectively. The O/C ratio increases from 0.22 to 0.46 at 270 °C and to 0.25 at 300 °C, and decreases to 0.10 at 330 °C. δ13C_bulk‐δD cross plot of Murchison IOM and its pyrolysis residues shows an isotopic sequence. Of the six Antarctic IOMs, A‐881280, A‐881458, Y‐791198 and B‐7904 lie on or near the isotopic sequence depending on the degree of hydrous and/or thermal alteration, while A‐881334 and Y‐793321 consist of another distinct isotope group. A δ13C_bulk‐δ13C_COOH cross‐plot of IOMs, including Murchison pyrolysis residues, has a positive correlation between them, implying that the oxidation process to produce carboxyls is similar among all IOMs. These isotope distributions reflect various degree of alteration on the meteorite parent bodies and/or difference in original isotopic compositions before the parent body processes.     

The formation of condensed carbon particles in the atmospheres of white dwarfs

The existence of condensed carbon in the form of liquid droplets and graphite grains is found in white dwarf atmospheres with parametersg=10⁸ cm s^–2, H/He10^–3, andT _eff6000 K on the basis of model atmospheres techniques. It is shown that the condensation layers are dynamically stable and, consequently, that white dwarfs cannot supply the condensed particles to the interstellar medium. Possible observable effects are considered.     

Past history of star formation in the solar neighbourhood from the observed white dwarf luminosity distribution

It is known that intermediate and low-mass stars evolve finally to white dwarfs of mass characteristically centred around 0.6M . The observed luminosity distribution and the theoretical cooling curves of such white dwarfs are used in this work to estimate the rate of formation of these and, hence, of their progenitors (although not uniquely) in the solar neighbourhood as a function of time. It is found that the star formation rate has remained fairly constant over the past 10–12 billion years, and that the observed number density of the local white dwarfs match quite well with the one expected from the mass functions of the local stars.     

Multiresolution wavelet analysis of SUMER/SOHO observations in a solar prominence

We have studied through a multiresolution wavelet analysis the oscillations in a limb prominence. Intensity fluctuations in time and height corresponding to different lines of Siiv and Oiv observed with SUMER on board SOHO have been analyzed in the wavelet bands of J₃= 1 min 36 s to 3 min 12 s and J₄=3 min 12 s to 6 min 24 s. For all species, oscillations in the J₄ band were dominant. We found relevant differences between the behavior of line D₁ (1393.76 Å) corresponding to Siiv and the set D₂ (1401.16 Å), D₃ (1404.81 Å), D₄ (1402.77 Å) corresponding to Oiv, Oiv and Siiv respectively. We also report the identification of a pulse in the intensity of the line D₁ that appears in the range of 15–20 min. This disturbance seems to travel with a speed of about 170 km s^–1.     

Carbon molecules as possible carrier of the diffuse interstellar bands

Douglas (1977) proposed linear carbon molecules as one of the carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands. In particular, he suggested that either the species C₅, C₇, or C₉ should produce the most intense interstellar 443 nm band. We have performed laboratory experiments to investigate whether the basic assumption of this hypothesis is fulfilled, namely whether a species of carbon molecules exhibits a strong absorption in the vicinity of 443 nm. For this purpose, we studied the UV-VIS spectra of large carbon molecules applying the matrix isolation technique. We found that in fact a carbon molecule with such an absorption does exist. A rather preliminary interpretation of our data suggests that this band is produced by the linear molecule C₇. Because the laboratory spectra are distorted by matrix-effects, a conclusive comparison with the interstellar absorptions is not yet possible.Paper presented at a Workshop on The Role of Dust in Dense Regions of Interstellar Matter, held at Georgenthal, G.D.R., in March 1986.     

Evolution of CO on Titan

The early evolution of Titan's atmosphere is expected to produce enrichment in the heavy isotopomers of CO, ¹³CO and C¹⁸O, relative to ¹²C¹⁶O. However, the original isotopic signatures may be altered by photochemical reactions. This paper explains why there is no isotopic enrichment in C in Titan's atmosphere, despite significant enrichment of heavy H, N, and O isotopes. We show that there is a rapid exchange of C atoms between the CH₄ and CO reservoirs, mediated by the reaction ¹CH₂+*CO→¹*CH₂+CO, where *C is ¹³C. Based on recent laboratory measurements, we estimate the rate coefficient for this reaction to be 3.2×10⁻¹² cm³ s⁻¹ at the temperature appropriate for the upper atmosphere of Titan. We investigate the isotopic dilution of CO using the Caltech/JPL one-dimensional photochemical model of Titan. Our model suggests that the time constant for isotopic exchange through the above reaction is about 800 Myr, which is significantly shorter than the age of Titan, and therefore any original isotopic enhancement of ¹³C in CO may have been diluted by the exchange process. In addition, a plausible model for the evolution history of CO on Titan after the initial escape is proposed.     

Comparison of the X-ray and optical variabilities in the Seyfert galaxy 3C 120

Based on our UBV RI observations and X-ray data from the RXTE satellite, we have investigated the variability of the galaxy 3C 120 over the period 1996–2008. The relative variability amplitude in the U and B bands without any subtraction of the contribution from the underlying galaxy is 23 and 22%, respectively, against 21% in the X-ray band. The autocorrelation function based on the B-band data is considerably wider than that based on the X-ray data. The structure functions on a time scale from 1 to ～100–300 days in the X-ray and optical spectral ranges have the form of a power law (SF ～ τ ^b ). However, their indices differ significantly: b = 0.42 in the X-ray band and b = 1.36 in the B band. Considering the X-ray and optical variabilities as a superposition of independent flares in a wide range of durations, we may conclude that the amplitudes of short flares in the X-ray band are higher than those in the optical one and, conversely, the relative amplitudes of long flares in the X-ray band are slightly lower than those in the optical one, i.e., short events dominate in the X-ray band. The optical flux variations in the R _c and I _c bands lag significantly behind those in the B band, by 3.9 _?0.7 ^+1.0 and 6.2 _?0.6 ^+1.1 days, respectively, if the lag is estimated from the centroid of the cross-correlation function. The X-ray variability on a time scale of about 1800 days (～5 yr) lags behind the B-band variations by 5.3 _?3.3 ^+2.7 days, but the confidence level of this estimate is only 87%. A more detailed analysis of the correlation between the X-ray and optical emissions has revealed a fairly complex picture: different degrees of correlation between the optical and X-ray fluxes are observed at different times.     

Carbon isotopic enrichment in Titan's tholins? Implications for Titan's aerosols

Since the discovery of the main composition of Titan's atmosphere, many laboratory experiments have been carried out to reproduce its chemical evolution, particularly the formation of organic haze particles found throughout this atmosphere. Some of these simulations have produced solid products—referred to as Titan's tholins—that are assumed to have properties similar to those of Titan's aerosols. In the present work, we focus on the possible isotopic fractionation of carbon during the processes involved in the formation of Titan's tholins. Initial ¹²C/¹³C isotopic ratios measured on tholins made in the laboratory using cold plasma discharges are presented. Measurements of isotopic enhancement in ¹³C (δ¹³C), both on tholins and on the initial gas mixture (N₂:CH₄ (98:2)) used to produce them do not show any clear deficit or enrichment in ¹³C relative to ¹²C in the lab-made tholins compared to the initial gas mixture. Preliminary data recovered from the Aerosol Collector Pyrolyzer (ACP) experiment of the Huygens probe suggests that Titan's aerosols may also be exempt of carbon isotopic enrichment. This observation creates possibilities for deeper analysis of ACP experiment data.     

Search for and study of photometric variability in magnetic white dwarfs

We report the results of photometric observations of a number of magnetic white dwarfs in order to search for photometric variability in these stars. These V-band observations revealed significant variability in the classical highly magnetized white dwarf GRW+70?8247 with a likely period from several days to several dozen days and a half-amplitude of about 0_. ^m 04. Our observations also revealed the variability of the well-known white dwarf GD229. The half amplitude of its photometric variability is equal to about 0_. ^m 005, and the likely period of this degenerate star lies in the 10–20 day interval. This variability is most likely due to the rotation of the stars considered.We also discuss the peculiarities of the photometric variability in a number of other white dwarfs. We present the updated “magnetic field–rotation period” diagram for the white dwarfs.     

Populations of nanodiamond grains in meteorites from the data on isotopic composition and content of nitrogen

The present study has shown that the dependence of the isotopic composition of nitrogen on the N/C ratio, revealed from the data for bulk samples of meteoritic nanodiamond, can be obtained within the framework of the following model of the composition of populations of nanodiamond grains: (a) initial nanodiamond, i.e., the nanodiamond in the protoplanetary cloud before the accretion of the meteorite parent bodies, was composed mainly of grains of two populations (denoted as C_N and C_F), the ratio of which changed in meteorites depending on the degree of hydrothermal metamorphism; (b) only the grains of one of these populations (C_N) contain volume-bound nitrogen with δ¹⁵N = ?350‰; (c) the grains of both populations contain surface-bound nitrogen (δ¹⁵N ≡ 0). The calculations revealed the following properties of population grains in this model. (1) The grains of the C_N and C_F populations are most likely the same in isotopic composition of carbon and heterogeneous in distribution of its isotopes: the central part of grains is enriched with the δ¹²C isotope relative to the remainder of the grain. While the value of δ¹³C is ?37.3 ± 1.1‰ for carbon in the central part, it is ?32.8 ± 1.5‰ for the whole volume of the grains. (2) The noble gases of the HL component, specifically Xe-HL, are anomalous in isotopic composition and are most likely contained in the third population of nanodiamond grains (denoted as C_HL), the mass fraction of which is negligible relative to that for other grain populations. Only the grains of the C_HL population have an undoubtedly presolar origin, while the grains of the other nanodiamond populations could have formed at the early stages of the evolution of the protoplanetary cloud material before the accretion of the meteoritic parent bodies.