A quantitative analysis of the prototype [WCL] star CPD-56° 8032

We present a detailed, quantitative study of the standard [WC10] Wolf-Rayet central star CPD-56^o 8032 based on new high resolution AAT UCLES observations and the Hillier (1990) WR standard model. Our analysis of CPD-56^o 8032 gives the wind properties (T _*=34500K, lg (L/L )=3.8, lg (M/M a^–1)=–5.4,v =225 km s^–1) and chemistry (C/He=0.5, O/He=0.1, by number), the latter suggesting an intimate relationship with the Ovi PN central stars and the PG 1159-035 objects. A comparison between the wind properties of CPD-56^o 8032 and Sk-66^o 40 (WN 10) indicates that low excitation, low wind velocity WR winds are common to both low mass PN central stars (WC sequence) and high mass post-LBV's (WN sequence).     

Evolution of low-mass close binaries and the problem of orbital period gap in cataclysmic variables

Evolution of close binary composed of a white dwarf primary and a Main-Sequence secondary has been calculated. Angular-momentum loss via gravitational radiation and magnetic stellar wind have been taken into account. We have found that magnetic stellar wind with a rate greater than (10^–10–10^–9)M yr^–1 is able to drive the evolution with mass exchange. If the time-scale of switch-off of wind when the primary becomes fully convective is not longer than 10⁶ yr, mass exchange interrupts due to a contraction of the secondary and the system becomes unobservable. Mass exchange resumes when components approach one another due to loss of momentum via gravitational radiation. The location and width of the thus-arising gap in the orbital periods are comparable to those observed.     

Structure and kinematics of the interstellar medium around WR 134 and WR 135

Based on our H _α interferometry and 21-cm and CO observations, we analyze the structure and kinematics of the interstellar medium around the stars WR 134 and WR 135. We conclude that the HI bubble found here previously is associated with WR 135, not with WR 134. High-velocity motions of ionized gas that can be interpreted as expansion of the gas swept up by the stellar wind with a velocity up to 50–80 km s^?1 are observed around both stars. The line-of-sight velocity field of the ionized hydrogen in the Cygnus arm is shown to agree with the large-scale line-of-sight velocity distribution of the CO emission.     

Tidal circularization in massive binaries

We consider the time-scale of orbital circularization for those massive binary systems that produce WR+C systems. Using the observation that such systems have acquired circular orbits on a time-scale of the order of the Main-Sequence lifetime of the initial secondary, we estimate the intrinsic time-scale of the tidal interaction ₀. We find that the tidal dissipation in such systems is very efficient and that, on the average, ₀ ~ 10³ yr.     

Spectroscopic evolutionary synthesis models of Wolf-Rayet galaxies

We present spectroscopic evolutionary synthesis calculations for starburst galaxies of various metallicities in order to model the broad emission lines HeII 4686 and CIII 4650 produced by Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars in the spectra of WR galaxies. The strengths of both lines strongly decrease with decreasing metallicity. The presence of WR emission features is a clear indicator of very recent star formation less than 4 to 7 × 10⁶ yr ago. Bursts of duration 1 to 5 × 10⁶ yr which lead to an increase in the total stellar mass in the galaxy by 0.1 to 10 % are compatible with the equivalent width of Hell »4686 observed in WR galaxies.     

On the influence of mass loss and convective overshooting on the evolution of massive stars

Evolution of massive stars losing mass with the rateM H L/V C is computed (for =1,2,7). It is shown that observed mass loss rates correspond to 0.3 and, therefore, mass loss by stellar wind cannot play any significant role in the evolution of normal massive stars. However, for several types of massive stars (WR, OH/IR, X-ray sources) enhanced mass loss explains their peculiar features. Computations of evolutionary sequences of massive stars with convective overshooting taken into account (as a formal increase of the convective core) show that a significant broadening of the hydrogen-burning band in the H-R diagram may be obtained.     

The post-RLOF structure of the secondary components in close binary systems,with an application to masses of Wolf-Rayet stars

The post-RLOF structure of the secondary after relaxation towards thermal equilibrium is calculated for a large grid of massive close binaries evolving through an early caseB of mass transfer. The initial primary masses range between 15 and 30M _o, the initial mass ratio between 0.3 and 0.9. The possibility that matter leaves the system during RLOF is included using an additional free parameter . The calculations are based on the accretion and relaxation properties of massive accretion stars. Conclusions on the post-RLOF secondaries are presented in function of , M1i, andq _i , in the form of tables and figures on the post-RLOF positions in the HR diagram, the final masses, mass ratios, chemical profiles and the remaining core-hydrogen burning lifetime. It is found that all systems starting from initial conditions in the grid specified above evolve sequentially, i.e. the primary evolves into a supernova before the end of core H burning of the secondary. No WR+WR systems are encountered. The results are used to determine the masses of ten double lined spectroscopic WR+OB binaries. Most of the WR masses are in the range 8–14M _o, although the sample is subject to some important selection effects. One WR+OB binary has a WR mass between 4 and 5M _o. It is argued that mass determinations based only on the spectral type of the secondary yield WR masses that are too high up to a factor two.     

TWO-FLUID MODEL FOR HEATING OF THE SOLAR CORONA AND ACCELERATION OF THE SOLAR WIND BY HIGH-FREQUENCY ALFVÉN WAVES

A model of the solar corona and wind is developed which includes for the first time the heating and acceleration effects of high-frequency Alfvén waves in the frequency range between 1 Hz and 1 kHz. The waves are assumed to be generated by the small-scale magnetic activity in the chromospheric network. The wave dissipation near the gyro-frequency, which decreases with increasing solar distance, leads to strong coronal heating. The resulting heating function is different from other artificial heating functions used in previous model calculations. The associated thermal pressure-gradient force and wave pressure-gradient force together can accelerate the wind to high velocities, such as those observed by Helios and Ulysses. Classical Coulomb heat conduction is also considered and turns out to play a role in shaping the temperature profiles of the heated protons. The time-dependent two-fluid (electrons and protons) model equations and the time-dependent wave-spectrum equation are numerically integrated versus solar distance out to about 0.3 AU. The solutions finally converge and settle on time-stationary profiles which are discussed in detail. The model computations can be made to fit the observed density profiles of a polar coronal hole and polar plume with the sonic point occurring at 2.4 R and 3.2 R , respectively. The solar wind speeds obtained at 63 R are 740 km s^-1 and 540 km s^-1; the mass flux is 2.1 and 2.2 × 10⁸ cm^-2 s^-1 (normalized to 1 AU), respectively. The proton temperature increases from a value of 4 × 10⁵ K at the lower boundary to 2 × 10⁶ K in the corona near 2 R .     

Structure and kinematics of the interstellar medium around WR 142a: Searching for traces of the action of stellar wind

Based on our Hα interferometric observations and CO data, we analyze the structure and kinematics of the gas in an extended region of the Cygnus arm around the recently discovered star WR 142a. We have established that WR 142a and the ionized hydrogen in its immediate neighborhood are associated with the complex of molecular clouds observed in a region with l ～ 78°–80°30′, b ～ 2°–3°20′, and V _LSR ～ 4–16 km s^?1. Traces of the action of the stellar wind from WR 142a on the ambient gas have been found to the northeast of the star in a region devoid of dense absorbing foreground clouds. These include very weak thin gas and dust filaments as well as high-velocity components of the Hα profile, which can be interpreted as a possible expansion of the shell swept up by the wind with a velocity as high as 50–80 km s^?1. Giant regions of reduced CO emission dominated by high-velocity motions of ionized hydrogen have been detected. Stars of the Cyg OB2 association and the cluster NGC 6910 can be responsible for these motions.     

Nebular complex in the region of Cas OB2 association; ring nebula Sh157

This paper presents the results of monochromatic [Oiii], [Nii], and [Sii] observations of ring nebula Sh157 around the star (WR + B0III) HD 219460 belonging to the Ba 3 cluster. A stratification of radiation typical for photoionization excitation has been revealed. The observations suggest that the Sh157 ring structure may arise as a result of the HD 219460 stellar wind blowing the surroundingHii region, and the bubble age is found to bet(2–5)×10⁵ yr. Three outer envelopes have been distinguished: a weaker extended emission shell apparently blown out by the wind from B-stars of the Ba 3 cluster, and two dust shells which are likely to be associated with NGC 7510 and Cas OB2. The paper is also concerned with the discussion of young star aggregates Ba 3, NGC 7510, Cas OB1, OB2, OB4, OB5, OB7, and Cep OBI and the associatedHii regions, shells and supershells of gas and dust, molecular clouds, and supernova remnants which may be probable members of a single giant stellar complex where the star formation process is in progress.     

Properties of Wolf-Rayet stars in eclipsing binary systems

The results of investigations of a number of eclipsing Wolf-Rayet binaries are presented. The ‘core’ radiuses, the ‘core’ temperatures and masses of WR stars in the eclipsing WR+OB binary systems V 444 Cyg, CX Cep, CQ Cep, and CV Ser are obtained (see Table I). The results obtained from the light curves analysis of the V 444 Cyg in the range λλ2460 Å-3.5μ give strong evidence for the Beals (1944) model of WR phenomenon. The chromospheric-coronal effects in the WN5 extended atmosphere are not observed up to a distance ofr?20R _⊙. In the Hertzsprung—Russell diagram all the WR stars lie on the left side from the main sequence between the main sequence and the sequence of uniform helium stars (see Figure 9). Their locations are close to those of the helium remnants formed as a result of mass exchange in massive close binary systems. The period variations in the systems V 444 Cyg and CQ Cep have been discovered and a reliable value of the mass loss rateM=10^?5 M _⊙yr^?1 is obtained, for the two WR stars. The results of the photometric and spectroscopic investigations of the WR stars with low mass companions (post X-ray binary stage?) are presented too (see Table II). The masses of the companions are (1–2)M _⊙, their optical luminosity is ～10³⁶, erg s^?1 which implies that these companions cannot be the normal stars. It is possible that these companions are neutron stars accreting from the stellar wind of the WR stars. Low values of the X-ray luminosities of such WR stars with low mass companions imply that the accretion of matter in such systems is distinct from the accretion process in classical X-ray binary systems. It is noted also that the parameters of low massive companions coupled with WR stars are close to those of helium stars.     

Clumped structure of WR wind derived from IR observations of WR+O binaries: some comments on the light curve solution for V444 Cygni

Strong increasing of the width and the depth of the secondary minimum of the light curve of V444 Cyg Wolf-Rayet eclipsing binary discovered by Cherepashchuk and Khaliullin (1973, 1975) from simultaneous narrow band continuum observations (4244–7512 Å) have been confirmed by new quasi-simultaneous UJK observations. This increasing of the width and the depth of the secondary minimum implies strong increasing of the radius of the extended atmosphere of the WN5 star with wavelength, which cannot be explained be the theory of homogeneous WR wind. These data can be understood in the model of WR wind proposed by Cherepashchuk et al. (1984). New data, supporting the reliability of the light curve solution for V444 Cyg of Cherepashchuk (1975) are presented.     

Some features of the solar microwave emission and their connection with geomagnetic activity

The quiet component of the 9.1-cm solar radio emission is studied from the Stanford radioheliograms covering the period April–October 1964. The distribution of the brightness temperature in heliographic coordinates is not entirely uniform, but positive and negative departures from the average value appear at a number of stable locations. The most important negative departure crosses the central meridian 4 days before the maximum of the recurrent geomagnetic activity. Two out of three less important brightness depressions are connected with geomagnetic disturbances in the same manner. It is suggested that the brightness depressions are identical with M-regions.The result is confirmed by the construction of polytrope models for the solar wind, for various values of the parameters (the polytrope index) and T (the temperature in the inner corona). The velocities near the earth's orbit and in the inner corona are computed as functions of the model parameters, the density results from the observed proton flux at 1 AU. For quiet conditions the model with T = 1.26 × 10⁶ K and = 1.10 is appropriate. The corresponding density and temperature in the corona lead to a value of 4000 K for the contribution of the corona to the 9-cm brightness. For disturbed conditions the suitable model has the parameters T 2.0 × 10⁶ K, a 1.04. It being given that the proton flux at 1 AU is relatively constant, the equation of continuity leads to a low coronal density because of the high solar-wind velocity. The corresponding coronal contribution to the 9-cm brightness is of the order of 10 K. This confirms that the brightness temperature is considerably reduced in the regions where the enhanced solar wind originates. We suggest the name coronal depression for such regions.Papers II and III will appear in forthcoming issues of this journal.     

VLBI observations of turbulence in the inner solar wind

I discuss the use of Very Long Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) phase scintillations to probe the conditions of plasma turbulence in the solar wind. Specific results from 5.0 and 8.4 GHz observations with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) are shown. There are several advantages of phase scintillation measurements. They are sensitive to fluctuations on scales of hundreds to thousands of kilometers, much larger than those probed by IPS intensity scintillations. In addition, with the frequency versatility of the VLBA one can measure turbulence from the outer corona 5–10R to well past the perihelion approach of the Helios spacecraft. This permits tests of the consistency of radio propagation and direct in-situ measurements of turbulence. Such a comparison is made in the present paper. Special attention is dedicated to measuring the dependence of the normalization coefficient of the density power spectrum,C _N ² on distance from the sun. Our results are consistent with the contention published several years ago by Aaron Roberts, that there is insufficient turbulence close to the sun to account for the heating and acceleration of the solar wind. In addition, an accurate determination of theC _N ² (R) relationship could aid the detection of transients in the solar wind.     

What we have learned about the Martian magnetic field

The evidence is presented for the existence of the magnetic field of the planet Mars and for the effectiveness of the dipolar part of the field as an obstacle to the solar wind at the most frequent parameters of the latter. The dipolar magnetic moment of Mars is (1.5–2.20 × 10²² G cm³. The dipole axis makes an angle i15 with the rotation axis of the panel. The magnetic north pole of Mars is located in its southern hemisphere.In terms of the precession dynamo model, the magnetic fields of the Earth and Mars are similar. This indicates that the Martian magnetic field is associated with the present-day dynamo-process in the Martian liquid core.     

Erratum: the 2.27 day period of WR-134 (HD 191765)

The original temporal analysis of a 12 night spectral timeseries of WR-134 has been found to be flawed and a re-analysis shows that the line profile variations are indeed periodic. When combined with a 4 night timeseries taken 45 days earlier, a period near 2.27 d is found in periodograms of the Heii 5412 line centroid,rms line width, and line skew variations. When the emission line residuals are ordered as a function of phase, a sinuous feature appears to snake about the line center with an amplitude of ± 500 km s^–1. This is 20 larger than the line centroid amplitude; the calculation of which is heavily weighted by static portions of the line profile. In addition to the snake, emission residuals appear that move away from line center on unbound trajectories and are thought to result from the interaction of a periodic driver with the unstable flow of the radiation driven wind. The nature of the periodic driver is a topic for discussion.     

Search for relativistic companions in ‘non-X-ray’ binary systems

Consideration is given to a search for relativistic objects in massive close binary systems without strong X-ray emission (L _x <10³⁴ erg s^–1). It is pointed out that, according to the present-day theory on the evolution of massive close binaries, the number of neutron stars and black holes in non-X-ray binary systems must be 100 times the number of the known X-ray binaries comprising OB supergiant stars; that is why, in studying non-X-ray binary systems, the chances are to detect about a hundred of black holes in the Galaxy.Criteria are formulated for the relativistic nature of companions in the binary systems, such as high spatial velocity values and height Z over the galactic plane for OB stars (runaway stars) and for Wolf-Rayet stars. As reported by Tutukov and Yungelson (1973), as well as by van den Heuvel (1976), the presence of ring-type nebulae can serve as another indication of a relativistic nature of companions in the case of Wolf-Rayet stars.Data are collected on Wolf-Rayet stars with low-mass companions (Table I), which can be relativistic objects accreting within a strong stellar wind from Wolf-Rayet stars. Presented are new findings in respect of spectral examination of the runaway OB-stars (Table II), bringing together data on eight OB stars which can represent binary systems with relativistic companions (Table III).A list of 28 OB-stars (Table IV) which offer a good chance for finding relativistic companions is given.     

Optical Identification of IRAS Point Sources. Galaxies. IX

The ninth list of objects from the BIG (Byurakan-IRAS Galaxies) sample is presented; 87 galaxies are identified with 60 point sources from the IRAS PSC catalog in the region +69° +73° and 03^h50^m 09^h50^m with an area of 117 deg². Most of the identified galaxies are compact with bright bulges and faint peripheries. The identified objects include 7 Sy candidates, 8 interacting pairs (of which one is a merger candidate), and 6 LSB galaxies. The optical coordinates and their deviations from the IR coordinates, the V magnitudes, morphological types, angular dimensions, and position angles are given. The identified galaxies are of morphological types Sa-Sc and have optical stellar magnitudes in the range 15.5^m-21.5^m with angular sizes in the range 3-26. Finding charts from DSS2 are provided for these objects.     

Variations in the solar wind speed along the earth's orbit

Comparison of solar wind speed data obtained from the Pioneer 6 and 7 and Vela 3, 4, and 5 satellites from January 1969 through July 1970 has been undertaken. The distribution of measured speeds is similar for all satellites, despite wide separations along the Earth's orbit. For satellite separations (along the Earth's orbit) of 0.5 AU or less, the speeds measured by different satellites are closely correlated, i.e., it is usually possible to predict (to within ± 100 km sec^–1) the arrival of a particular solar wind speed at one satellite on the basis of earlier measurements at another. For separations larger than 1.0 AU it is usually not possible to make accurate predictions in this manner. This appears to be evidence that: (1) the boundary conditions on the coronal expansion at the base of the corona are a sensitive function of latitude and/or (2) the boundary conditions at any one point on the Sun evolve sufficiently in 4 days to alter significantly the speed of the wind at 1 AU.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The case of the fastest stellar wind in central stars of planetary nebulae

An exceptionally fast wind (8500 km/s) was suggested to occur in the central star of the planetary nebula K1-16, belonging to the class of the PG 1159 H-deficient pre-white dwarfs. To ascertain the reality of such a fast wind this star has been observed with the HST telescope using the GHRS in the zone of theCiv 155.0 nm doublet. The HST data and tests made using synthetic stellar spectra support the existence of a stellar wind with a terminal velocity of 3800 km/s and a mass loss rate lower thanM<2 · 10^–11 M per year. Possibly it is no longer the fastest stellar wind so far observed but it is still among the fastest.