Gravothermal catastrophe in rotating galaxies

Violent relaxation in a rotating galaxy can lead to a core-halo, system. In order to understand this, a very, crude model is studied in which all details are ignored, and only the dimensions of physical quantities are retained. The behaviour depends on the ratio of the potential in the core to the potential in the halo. When >5/2, the core contracts; when >5, the contraction is a runaway process, or gravothermal catastrophe.     

Rapid changes in the fine structure of a coronal ‘bright point’ and a small coronal ‘active region’

A coronal bright point is resolved into a pattern of emission which, at any given time, consists of 2 or 3 miniature loops (each 2500 km in diameter and 12 000 km long). During the half-day lifetime of the bright point individual loops evolved on a time scale 6 min. A small ctive region seemed to evolve in this way, but the occasional blurring together of several loops made it difficult to follow individual changes.     

The ‘naked’ singularity in the scalar-tensor gravitation theory

The complete analysis of possible types of non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic motions in the field of the naked singularity of the STGT is given. The problem of the infall of a monochromatic radiation emitter on the naked singularity is studied. In spite of the absence of a freezing effect in the STGT, the naked singularity is not observable, for the brightness of the falling emitter decreases much faster than in the GTR. Atrr _g , the trajectory of particles and light are quite similar to that of the GTR, and due to this fact the naked singularity is observationally indistinguishable from a black hole.     

Effect of self-gravitation or finite ion mass on the stability of anisotropic plasma

The problem of stability of an unbounded anisotropic plasma characterized by different temperatures along and transverse to the magnetic field is investigated for an arbitrary direction of propagation. Chewet al (1956) equations modified to incorporate self-gravitation, finite ion Larmor radius (FLR) and Hall current are used. Uniform rotation (of an order of interest in astrophysics) is also considered. Extensive numerical treatment of the dispersion relation leads to several interesting results.Inclusion of FLR, or Hall current or both together introduces pulsational instability for prepagation parallel to the magnetic field. The aperiodic growth rate of the mirror instability is only slightly altered due to FLR or Hall current effects. In the absence of rotation, self-gravitation, FLR and Hall current, the growth rate decreases for the mirror region as the direction of propagation approaches the field direction, while the fire hose instability persists for arbitrary propagation, even in the limiting case (the mirror limit) where the propagation is nearly transverse to the magnetic field. Uniform rotation altogether stabilizes the fire hose instability for a sufficiently strong pressure (or temperature) anisotropy. Pulsational instability is introduced when both ratation and self-gravitation effects are present. Either FLR or Hall current depresses the growth rate of the fire hose instability and introduces pulsational instability for the general case of arbitrary propagation. When FLR and Hall current effects are present simultaneously, the interaction terms due to these effects may be strongly destabilizing in nature for arbitrary propagation.     

An apparent ‘even-odd’ cycle distribution in Mt. Wilson ‘numbers of spots’ data

Mt. Wilson numbers of spots data (as defined in Howard et al., 1984) appear to be distributed according to even-odd cycle numbering. Linear fits of annual numbers of spots versus annual sunspot number for even- and odd-numbered cycles have slopes which are statistically different at the 5% level of significance. The existence of an even-odd split in Mt. Wilson numbers of spots data may be due either to a real difference in even- and odd-numbered cycles on the Sun or to a difference in weather at Mt. Wilson (perhaps, related to the 22-yr rhythm of drought in the western United States) during even- and odd-numbered cycles, or both. For cycle 22, an even-numbered cycle, the peak numbers of spots is estimated to be near 2600.     

Galaxy-formation in pancake-models

Three concepts, statistically fair samples, high spatial resolution of pancakes and dynamical thresholding of density are used to define a procedure of extracting the large-scale distribution of luminous matter from pancake-models.Paper presented at the 11 th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

On the relationships between sfe (crochet) and solar X-ray and microwave bursts

Geomagnetic crochets (sfe) observed at Kodaikanal over the period 1966–71 have been studied in relation to solar X-ray bursts observed by NRL satellite (SOLRAD-9) in the 0.5–3 Å, 1–8 Å and 8–20 Å bands and radio bursts observed in the frequency range 1000–17000 MHz. The amplitude of sfe is linearly correlated with the peak intensities of X-ray bursts in the 1–8 Å and 8–20 Å bands. The single frequency correlation of sfe with radio bursts is a flat maximum in the frequency range 2000–3750 MHz. Following the spectral classification of AFCRL for microwave bursts, it is noticed that sfe are mostly associated with the A type burst spectra and are very poorly correlated with bursts with the G, C and M type spectra. These features differ from those of other SID's reported earlier.     

The development and production of new,non-standard methods of observations with the radio telescope RATAN-600

The recent modernization of the RATAN-600 radio telescope at the Special Astrophysical Observatory has provided an opportunity to develop new procedures, called relay and zoned relay, for utilizing the new cone-surface secondary reflector. The geometric area, the horizontal beamwidth spatial resolution, and the permissible radiometer bandwidth are discussed. We are also able to estimate the changes in the sensitivities of the radio telescope-radiometer systems. The new procedures, called relay and zoned relay, allow us to obtain two-dimensional images of radio objects and to track the development of rapidly varying sources in any azimuth.Presented at the CESRA-Workshop on Coronal Magnetic Energy Release at Caputh near Potsdam in May 1994.     

An integrated 2.5–12.5 μm emission spectrum of naturally-occurring aromatic molecules

The expected emission features from an ensemble of naturally-occurring aromatic molecules is shown to be in satisfactory agreement with the emission properties of PAH molecules associated with planetary nebulae.     

Some studies on Hα-flares and microwave bursts in relation to sunspot magnetic configurations

Sunspot associated H-flares and microwave bursts occurring during the period 1972 to 1974 have been examined in relation to the magnetic strength and configurations of the sunspots and sunspot groups (abbreviated as spots). Important results obtained are: (i) percentage occurrences of flares exceeds those of microwave bursts up to a magnetic field strength of 2000 G while the reverse is true for higher field strength of spots, (ii) flare productivity (average number of flares per spot) and also burst productivity are comparatively higher in the case of and types of spots than in the case of other types of spots, (iii) the above productivities are predominantly high when magnetic configuration of spots changes during their life time, and (iv) impulsive type of microwave bursts are more associated with spots having changing type of magnetic configuration.     

Planar orbits through second variations

The development and application of a predictor-corrector method for the computation of families of periodic motions as well as of singular periodic solutions from which branchings or change in the stability character occur, based on the use of second order variations is presented. Numerical results obtained by means of this method are also given. It is found that this algorithm consumes somewhat less computer time in determining orbits-members of a family of periodic orbits, while it represents a unique tool for the determination of branchings of various orders, as well as of the precise members of each family at which the orbits change from unstable to stable and viceversa.     

Magnetic reconnection in a high-temperature plasma of solar flares

Simple self-consistent models for non-neutral current sheets are considered. Characteristics of high-temperature turbulent current sheets (HTCS) with a small transverse component of magnetic field are determined for conditions in the solar corona. The energy output of such an HTCS is much larger than that of a neutral sheet. This makes it possible to consider the HTCS as an energy source not only in long-lived X-ray loops but also in flaring loops during the not or main phase of a flare. In this case, the magnetic reconnection velocity agrees with the observed velocity of the loop rise. Thus, these phenomena can be interpreted as a result of magnetic reconnection, for example, between new flux emerging from under the photosphere and an old magnetic field.The role of a longitudinal magnetic field in a current sheet is less important for HTCS. As a result of the compression of a longitudinal field, there appears an electric current circulating around the sheet. This current may induce strong Joule heating, if the compression is large. This additional heating is realized because of the annihilation of the main component, not the longitudinal component of magnetic field. The effect is small for HTCS, but may be significant for preflare current sheets.     

Pitch angle scattering of solar particles: Comparison of ‘particle’ and ‘field’ approach

In the quasi-linear theory of pitch angle scattering the power spectrum of magnetic field fluctuations is related to the shape of the pitch angle diffusion coefficient D(), the absolute value of the mean free path , and the rigidity dependence of the mean free path (R). We discuss these relations in detail during the solar particle event of 11 April, 1978 which was observed on HELIOS-2 at a distance of 0.49 AU from the Sun. Magnetic field measurements obtained during the time of the event are used as a basis for the layer model in which the method of particle trajectories in an actually measured field is used to simulate pitch angle diffusion. The values of D() and based on the trajectory simulation for 100 MeV protons (field approach) are compared with results obtained from solar proton data (particle approach) and with predictions from quasi-linear theory based on the additional assumption of the slab model for magnetic field fluctuations (QLT approach). The time of the event is characterized by a high level of field fluctuations, the observed mean free path of about 0.03 AU for 100 MeV protons is smaller than the average value near 1 AU. Results from the field and particle approaches agree surprisingly well. The remaining difference in the mean free path of about a factor of 2 could be due to tangential discontinuities which are measured by the magnetometer, but not seen by the real particles traveling along the average field. The results from the field and QLT approaches based on the same set of magnetic field measurements differ by about a factor of 4. One of the reasons for this discrepancy is that the conditions for resonance scattering are only marginally valid. In addition, the wave vectors representing Alfvén-type fluctuations may not be totally field aligned. This deviation from the slab model would cause an increase of the theoretically predicted mean free path and lead to better agreement with the other two approaches.     

A solar cycle timing predictor - the latitude of active regions

The Schatten and Sofia (1987) dynamo theory prediction for the amplitude of smoothed annual sunspot number in the present solar cycle, No. 22, of 170 ± 25 was predicted to peak in 1990 ± 1 year. This peak was earlier and larger than most other estimates made in early 1987. New observational evidence shows sunspot values rising very rapidly, generally supporting the exceptionally large cycle predicted, however, solar cycle 22 appears even more exceptional than expected, in that the early cycle rise has exceeded all previous cycle increases. We use a Spörer butterfly method to examine solar cycle 22. We show from the latitude of active regions, that the cycle can now be expected to peak near November 1989 ±8 months, basically near the latter half of 1989.This paper was presented at the third meeting of the Solar Cycle Workshop, held in Sydney, Australia, January 9–13, 1989.     

An iterative technique for computing rotating visco-polytropic models

In this paper we develop and implement a complex-plane iterative technique for computing rotating visco-polytropic models. The viscosity of the models is determined in view of the relaxation condition that differential rotation depends only on the distance from the rotation axis. To this purpose we develop and implement a viscosity-evaluated-upwards technique which fits viscosity, within a few percent, with the required condition. We compute various models, and we study in detail some of them that satisfy, within a few percent, the condition above, and also the boundary condition of a vanishing surface stress vector.     

Mass and particle ‘loading’ in plasma-neutral gas interaction

Qualitative considerations of mass and particle loading in plasma-neutral gas interaction are made by the help of a one-dimensional steady model. In the case of particle loading the plasma flow behind a strong shock is accelerated as in the case of mass loading regarded by Biermannet al. (1967) whereas behind a weak shock the flow is decelerated. As an example, one-dimensional time-dependent flows with ionization of the neutral gas by Alfvén's critical velocity effect are calculated. Because of the acceleration of the subsonic flow by loading processes, the existence of a tangential discontinuity in the flow around comets seems questionable.     

On phase and ray directions of magnetosonic waves

The behavior of phase speed for the slow and fast magnetosonic waves is well documented in the literature. Not so well documented is the behavior of the ray direction and its relation to the phase direction — indeed we have not found the ray behavior recorded in most of the standard plasma physics texts. We rectify this situation and point out some of the curiosities associated with the direction of the slow ray relative to the direction of the slow phase wave. These calculations have been performed as a necessary basis for discussion of phase and ray evolution of magnetosonic waves in differentially shearing plasmas, which subject is the topic of a later paper.     

‘Swinging dipoles’ inmagnetic close binary stars

The recently discovered phenomena in polars — Magnetic Close Binary Stars (MCBS), are discussed. Asynchronous MCBS are on the propeller stage (which is analogous to the investigated one for neutron stars), and are synchronizing during t_S10³ yr, being during this stage rapidly evolving, mass ejecting systems. The accretion rate is largest when the angle between the magnetic axis and the line of centers is near zero. If 90°, then the magnetic field prevents the plasma flow, and the magnetic valve becomes closed. Near this position the oscillations of the orientation of the white dwarf's magnetic axis may be excited. This model of a swinging dipole has such observational properties: (a) the system's luminosity changes with characteristical times of some years; (b) the phase curves of light, polarization and radial velocities must be cyclically changing with a few year cycle; (c) one would observe the correlation between the phase shift of these curves, and the system's luminosity. The observational data on polars are briefly discussed. All these phenomena are observed in AM Herculis and some other polars, but subsequent studies are needed to investigate the orientation changes of the magnetic axis, and so the structure and evolution of this exotic class of our Galaxy population.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Pulsar nebulae

Several of the exotic supernova remnants are re-interpreted as pulsar-illuminated former windzones. The class of supernova remnants thus splits into (i) (the usual) shell remnants and (ii) pulsar nebulae in which a (fairly young) pulsar blows its relativistic wind into its low-density environs.     

The abelian higgs sunspot endowed with a local conformal symmetry

We show that the requirement of alocal conformal symmetry of the Abelian Higgs sunspot leads, at least formally, to a complex-valued electromagnetic potential, whose imaginary part is a conformal compensating potential. It is shown that there exists a fundamental difference between conformal and ordinary electromagnetic fields; whereas the ordinary total magnetic flux of a spot is quantized its conformal analogue has to vanish if the Higgs field is to be single-valued. We further stress that such a complex-valued Abelian Higgs field configuration mimics quite well, under certain conditions (all the salient features of) the classical Abelian Higgs sunspot.