A method of measuring the [α/Fe] ratios from the spectra of the LAMOST survey

The [α/Fe] ratios in stars are good tracers to probe the formation history of stellar populations and the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The spectroscopic survey of LAMOST provides a good opportunity to determine [α/Fe] of millions of stars in the Galaxy. We present a method of measuring the [α/Fe]ratios from LAMOST spectra using the template-matching technique of the LSP3 pipeline. We use three test samples of stars selected from the ELODIE and MILES libraries, as well as the LEGUE survey to validate our method. Based on the test results, we conclude that our method is valid for measuring [α/Fe]from low-resolution spectra acquired by the LAMOST survey. Within the range of the stellar parameters Teff= [5000, 7500] K, log g = [1.0, 5.0] dex and [Fe/H]= [onsistent with values derived from high-resolution spectra,-1.5, +0.5] dex, our [α/Fe] measurements are c and the accuracy of our [α/Fe] measurements from LAMOST spectra is better than 0.1 dex with spectral signal-to-noise higher than 20.     

A study of the nature of the Hα-emission stars LkHα112, 115, 118, and 119

The present study of the nature of the stars LkH112, LkH115, LkH118, and LkH119 is based on low-dispersion IDS spectra and photometric measurements in the wavelength range between 0.33 and 3.8 m. These stars are located in the direction of the extremely young open cluster NGC 6530 (Walker, 1957). The purpose of this study is, in general, to know whether they belong to the group of intermediate mass pre-main sequence objects, also known as Herbig Ae/Be stars, and, in particular, what special characteristics they possess. The result is as follows. The stars are very young; probably only LkH112 and LkH115 are members of the above-mentioned class of objects. The membership of LkH118 and LkH119 in this group is doubtful.Based on observations made at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile.     

Theory of gravitational radiation of the (Ω,A µν )-field

Further exploration of the -field theory as first proposed by Yu (1989) is here presented to cover the equation of motion of a test particle which induces gravitational radiation. The same theory is shown to contain an exact gravitational radiation equation derived as a logical consequence of field equations without extra postulates. In this general dynamic context the theory is renamed The (,A _µ )-field Theory.     

A Performance Study of the CCD Cameras of the Joint Laboratory of Optical Astronomy

A performance study of several CCD cameras of the Chinese Joint Laboratory of Optical Astronomy (CJLOA) is presented. The main results are: 1) We propose a modified classical method to analyse the linearity of CCD cameras. This method is more sensitive and accurate as well as more intuitive, especially in measuring around the 0.1%-0.2% range of nonlinearity. 2) To illustrate the advantage of the method, the linearity performance of the CCD cameras at CJLOA has been measured and analysed. 3) For the CCD systems tested, there is no unique formula to represent the correlation over the entire CCD frame between the deviation from linearity and the pixel value, i.e., different pixel has different correction even though their pixel values are the same. 4) For the BFOSC (BAO Faint Object Spectrograph Camera) Loral CCD camera and the Tek CCD camera at the 1.56-m reflector, blooming (bleeding) happens long before saturation, and we suspect whether it could have resulted from the charge transfer efficiency (CTE) n     

A Comparison of Solar Cycle Variations in the Equatorial Rotation Rates of the Sun’s Subsurface, Surface, Corona, and Sunspot Groups

Using the Solar Optical Observing Network (SOON) sunspot-group data for the period 1985?–?2010, the variations in the annual mean equatorial-rotation rates of the sunspot groups are determined and compared with the known variations in the solar equatorial-rotation rates determined from the following data: i) the plasma rotation rates at 0.94R_⊙,0.95R_⊙,…,1.0R_⊙ measured by the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) during the period 1995?–?2010, ii) the data on the soft-X-ray corona determined from Yohkoh/SXT full-disk images for the years 1992?–?2001, iii) the data on small bright coronal structures (SBCS) that were traced in Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)/EIT images during the period 1998?–?2006, and iv) the Mount Wilson Doppler-velocity measurements during the period 1986?–?2007. A large portion (up to ≈?30^° latitude) of the mean differential-rotation profile of the sunspot groups lies between those of the internal differential-rotation rates at 0.94R_⊙ and 0.98R_⊙. The variation in the yearly mean equatorial-rotation rate of the sunspot groups seems to be lagging behind that of the equatorial-rotation rate determined from the GONG measurements by one to two years. The amplitude of the GONG measurements is very small. The solar-cycle variation in the equatorial-rotation rate of the solar corona closely matches that determined from the sunspot-group data. The variation in the equatorial-rotation rate determined from the Mount Wilson Doppler-velocity data closely resembles the corresponding variation in the equatorial-rotation rate determined from the sunspot-group data that included the values of the abnormal angular motions (>?|3^°|?day^?1) of the sunspot groups. Implications of these results are pointed out.     

A constant-α force-free-field analysis of the active region AR 4711 of February, 1986

The theory of Yang, Chang, and Harvey (1983) is used to perform this analysis of the big active region AR 4711 of February, 1986, which produced many big and strong flares with proton events, SIDs and other significant geophysical effects. The various physical quantities are calculated, yielding for M a value up to 5.36 × 10³² erg, sufficient to supply the energies of the observed flare activities in this active region. Observations of the twisting of the entire quadrupolar sunspot group and the variations of the magnetic energies with dates all agree with our theoretical expectations.It is found that the maximum of the f number of flare activity occurred about one day later than the maximum of M, i.e., the release of free magnetic energy to produce flare activity requires a time interval of about one day. This, together with the formula of M can be useful in solar prediction work.Similar to the famous active region of August 1972 (McMath 11976), the separation of both footpoints of the new emerging magnetic flux along the neutral line of the old bipolar group led to the formation of a compact quadrupolar sunspot group, with strong twisting of penumbral filaments.Visiting Professor from the Astrophysics Division, Geophysics Department, Peking University, Beijing, China.     

A Study of the Solar-Like Properties of β Hydri

We investigate properties of the internal structure of HR2021, better known as Hydri, a G2 IV subgiant with mass close to solar and for which observations by Bedding et al. (2001) have shown the presence of solar-like oscillations.We have computed models of Hydri,based on updated global parameters,and compared the computed frequencies for the models with the observed oscillation spectrum.     

A Monte Carlo Study of the Evolution of the Scale Height of Normal Pulsars in the Galaxy

Based on the undisturbed, finite thickness disk gravitational potential, we carried out 3-D Monte Carlo simulations of normal pulsars. We find that their scale height evolves in a similar way for different velocity dispersions (σv): it first increases linearly with time, reaches a peak, then gradually decreases, and finally approaches a stable asymptotic value. The initial velocity dispersion has a very large influence on the scale height. The time evolution of the scale height is studied. When the magnetic decay age is used as the time variable, the observed scale height has a similar trend as the simulated results in the linear stage, from which we derive velocity dispersions in the range 70- 178km s-1, which are near the statistical result of 90 - 270km s-1 for 92 pulsars with known transverse velocities. If the characteristic age is used as the time variable, then the observed and theoretical curves roughly agree for t > 108 yr only if σv < 25km s-1.     

A Kinematical Calibration of the Galactocentric Distance

1 INTRODUCTION The distance to the Galactic center R0 is a fundamental constant for astronomy and astrophysics. Most determinations of astronomical quantities are directly connected with the Galactic distance scale, e.g., the rotational speed of our Galax…     

A Model of the Circumstellar Envelope of Luminous Blue Variables

The continuum energy distributions of the luminous blue variables R127 and R110 in the outburst phase are fitted with a circumstellar envelope model.Both stars show two peaks in their continuum, one near 1250A and the other in the optical band. We suggest that their UV and optical fluxes may have different origins: the UV flux comes from the central star while the optical flux comes from an expanding circumstellar envelope. We construct a model for LBVs consisting of two LTE atmosphere models with different temperatures, and find it to be in agreement with the observed spectral energy distributions of R127 and R110.According to our numerical experiments, R127‘s continuum is composed of fluxes from a circumstellar envelope of Teff = 8000K, R = 485R⊙, and log g = 1,and from a central star of Tef = 17000K, R = 135R⊙, and log g = 2.5 with a permeating factor f = 0.5; while R110‘s continuum can be fitted by a circumstellar envelope of Teff =7000K, R = 350R⊙, and logg = 0.5, and a central star of Teff =25 000 K, R = 27R⊙, and log g 3.0 with a permeating factor f = 0.65.Both models show that the non-spherically symmetric, optically thick regions are formed surrounding the central star in the outburst phase. The light of the central star is shielded by the circumstellar envelope so that the visual brightness increases with the decrease/increase of the temperature/radius of the optically thick regions.     

A Method of Obtaining the Pitch Angle of Spiral Arms and the Inclination of Galactic Discs

RESEARCH PAPERS 1 INTRODUCTIONA spiraI gaIaxy inherently consists of a halo, a bulge and a thin disc with spiral structurewhich emerges from the central region or the end of a bright bar. Optical images of spirals, whichare projections on the celestial sphere, are dominated by the light from the stars, as modifiedby the extinction and reddening of dust. AIthough Lord Rosse first discovered that M51 hastwo spiral arms in 1845, the form of the spiral structure had not been investigat…     

Definition of the large-scale extinction — A new solution of the central void phenomenon

The Estonian School results (Jõeveeret al., 1977) concerning the galaxy cell structure were partly interpreted in the spirit of Zwicky's idea on intergalactic dust, although it remained a speculation. The same view was proposed also by Rudnicki to explain the evident deficit of galaxies in the central region (Central Void) of the Jagellonian field. (Ziba (1974) tried to explain the effect of the central void in terms of an interstellar obscuration.) This explanation of the central void (CV) in terms of a possible intergalactic dust was opened up again inNuovo Cimento, 1984 and 1985; and its merits considered by Rudnickiet al. inComments on Astrophysics, 1989. Now we present a new solution of the problem of the CV mystery.     

On the relationship of 6300 Å airglow to parameters of the F-region of the ionosphere

It is shown that variations in 6300 Å airglow intensities can, under certain assumptions, be simply related to $\text{?}{}_0\text{F2}$ and its time derivative. In deriving the relationship it is not necessary to assume that the concentration of the neutral atmosphere remains constant and so the relationship is useful on occasions when changes in the neutral atmosphere do occur making it difficult to obtain agreement between observed and calculated 6300 Å intensities; An example is given of a night in which a post-midnight enhancement occurred in the airglow and for which the observations could not be reproduced using a neutral atmosphere constant with time. It is shown that the airglow variations can be explained in terms of the variations of f₀F2, implying that the airglow is due to recombination and that, during the night, changes occurred in the concentrations of the constituents of the neutral atmosphere.     

A Study of the [OII]λ3727/Hα Flux Ratio of Emission Line Galaxies

With the sample of 10⁵ emission line galaxies selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 4 (SDSS DR4), we have investigated the relations of the [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratio with the dust extinction, the ionization state of interstellar gas and the metal abundance of galaxies. It is found that the dust extinction correction has a significant effect on the [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratio. Before and after the dust distinction correction is made, the mean [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratios are 0.48 and 0.89, respectively. After the dust extinction is corrected, the dispersion of the distribution of F([O_II]λ3727) as a function of F(H_α) is obviously reduced. The [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratio of metal-poor galaxies decreases with the increasing ionization degree of interstellar gas, but this relation does not exist in metal-rich galaxies. Besides, it is found that the [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratio is correlated with the metal abundance. When 12 + lg(O/H) > 8.5, the [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratio decreases with the increasing metal abundance; for the galaxies of 12 + lg(O/H) > 8.5, the spectral flux ratio correlates positively with the metal abundance. Finally, by using the parameters of gas ionization degree and metal abundances of galaxies, the formulae for calculating the [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratios of different types of galaxies are given. With the [O_II]λ3727/H_α flux ratio given by these formulae, the star formation rate can be derived by using the [O_II]λ3727-line flux, for the galaxies of the redshift z > 0.4, such as the large number of galaxies to be observed by the LAMOST telescope.     

A Study of the Energy Sources of Herbig—Haro Objects

1 INTRODUCTIONHerbig-Haro objects are a kind of semi-sta]c, semi-nebuIa objects associated with star fOrm-ing regions. Although such objects were noticed by Burnham as early as l890s, they did notattract much attention until the late 1940s until their independent rediscovery by Herbig andHaro in NGC 1999. A few years later, these objects were named Herbig-Haro objects fOr thefirst time by Ambartsumian (Reipurth 1997). In the fOllowing half century, the observationand theoretical res…     

A Periodicity Analysis of the Light Curve of 3C 454.3

We analyzed the radio light curves of 3C 454.3 at frequencies 22 and 37 GHz taken from the database of Metsahovi Radio Observatory, and found evidence of quasi-periodic activity. The light curves show great activity with very complicated non-sinusoidal variations. Two possible periods, a very weak one of 1.57±0.12 yr and a very strong one of 6.15±0.50 yr were consistently identified by two methods, the Jurkevich method and power spectrum estimation. The period of 6.15±0.50 yr is consistent with results previously reported by Ciaramella et al. and Webb et al. Applying the binary black hole model to the central structure we found black hole masses of 1.53×109M⊙and 1.86×108M⊙, and predicted that the next radio outburst is to take place in 2006 March and April.     

Merger Dynamics of the Pair of Galaxy Clusters——A399 and A401

Convincing evidence for a past interaction between the two rich clusters A399 and A401 was recently found in the X-ray imaging observations. We examine the structure and dynamics of this pair of galaxy clusters. A mixture-modeling algorithm was applied to obtain a robust partition into two clusters, which allowed us to discuss the virial mass and velocity distribution of each cluster. Assuming that these two clusters follow a linear orbit and they have once experienced a close encounter, we model the binary cluster as a two-body system. As a result, four gravitationally bound solutions are obtained. The recent X-ray observations seem to favor a scenario in which the two clusters with a true separation of 5.4h-1 Mpc are currently expanding at 583 km s-1 along a direction with a projection angle of 67.5°, and they will reach a maximum extent of 5.65 h-1 Mpc in about 1.0 h-1 Gyr.