Variations in the Brightness and Polarization of μ CEP

Observations of the brightness and polarization of CEP over 1983-2002 are presented. An almost sinusoidal curve with a slightly varying amplitude and a period of about 850 days was fit to the light curve. The minima in the actual light curve often appear to be flooded with additional radiation compared to the smoothed curve. As an explanation of this phenomenon, we propose a working hypothesis whereby some radiation that is reflected back into the atmosphere near the equator through veiling by titanium oxide then partially diffuses into the near-polar regions where it escapes.     

Multifrequency Polarization Variations in the Quasar 0917＋624

We present a detailed analysis of multi-frequency observations of linear polarization in the intraday variable quasar 0917+624 (z = 1.44). The observations were made in May 1989 at five frequencies (1.4, 2.7, 5.0, 8.3 and 15GHz) with the VLA and the Effelsberg 100 m-telescope and in December 1988 at two frequencies (2.7 and 5.0 GHz) with the latter. It is shown that the relationship between the variations of the polarized and total flux density is highly wavelength dependent, and the multi-frequency polarization behavior may be essential for investigating the mechanisms causing these variations. It is shown that the variations observed at 20 cm can be interpreted in terms of refractive interstellar scintillation. However, after subtracting the variation due to scintillation, three 'features' emerged in the light-curve of the polarized flux density, indicating an additional variable component. Interestingly, these features are shown to be correlated with the variations at 2-6 cm, thus indicating that thes     

The velocity field in the atmosphere of δ Cephei

Observations related to the photospheric velocity field of Cephei can be interpreted as follows: during the whole cycle of pulsations the only motion form in the atmosphere is a wave motion with a nearly constant full amplitude of approximately 15 km s^–1, and a wavelength of about 10⁶ km (which are quantities, about equal to the amplitudes of pulsational velocity and radius of the star). There are no significant small-scale turbulent velocity components. The microturbulent and macroturbulent velocities, as derived from spectral line observations, are fully compatible with this picture.     

Polarization of Microwave Radio Emission of Flare-Producing Solar Active Regions

On the basis of our multiwavelength observations made with the one-dimensional RATAN-600 radio telescope, we study the inversion of the circular polarization in the solar microwave emission at different frequencies. The inversion is detected in the emission of flare-producing active regions (FPARs) at various stages of their development, starting from the pre-flare stage. During the latest 23rd solar cycle maximum, numerous FPARs revealed spectral inhomogeneities in their polarized microwave radiation (Bogod and Tokhchukova, 2003, Astron. Lett. 29, 263). Here, we discuss a particular case of such inhomogeneities, the frequency-dependent double inversion of the sign of circular polarization, which probably reflects some essential processes in FPARs. We consider several mechanisms for the double inversion: linear interaction of waves in the region of a quasitransverse magnetic field, the propagation of waves through a region of zero magnetic field, the scattering of radio waves on waves of high-frequency plasma turbulence, the influence of the current fibrils on the propagation of the radio emission, and the magnetic “dips,” in which the direction of magnetic field lines changes the sign relative to the observer. All of them have shortcomings, but the last mechanism explains the observations the best.     

Statistics of the Instability Strip of β Cephei Stars

We present a study of the β Cephei instability strip based on a sample of 49 stars of this type.After deriving their effective temperatures and luminosities from their observed(B-V),(U-B) colors and parallaxes we find their positions in the HR diagram to be mostly confined to the main sequence,and their masses to lie between 7 M and 30 M.Their distribution on the HR diagram matches well with our previous theoretical instability strip which has an upper bound in the luminosity and rather tight boundaries in the effective temperature.     

Superluminal Motion and Polarization in Blazars

A relativistic beaming model has been successfully used to explain the observed properties of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In this model there are two emission components, a boosted one and an unbeamed one, shown up in the radio band as the core and lobe components. The luminosity ratio of the core to the lobe is denned as the core-dominance parameter (R = LCore/LLobe). The de-beamed radio luminosity (Ldbjet) in the jet is assumed to be proportional to the unbeamedluminosity (Lub) in the co-moving frame, i.e., f = Ldbjet/Lub, and f is determined in ourprevious paper. We further discuss the relationship between BL Lacertae objects (BLs) and flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), which are subclasses of blazars with different degrees of polarization, using the calculated values of the ratio f for a sample of superluminal blazars. We found 1) that the BLs show smaller averaged Doppler factors and Lorentz factors, larger viewing angles and higher core-dominance parameters than do the FSRQs, and 2) that in th     

Hα Emission and Dynamics in Groups of Galaxies

H_α luminosities of a sample of galaxies in nearby compactgroups are presented. Our purpose is to study the influence of thegroup environment on the star formation rates (SFRs) of the galaxies in thegroups, provided that the H_α luminosity is a good tracer of theSFR of disc galaxies. Measuring the global L /L _B of the groups – including early-type galaxies – we find that the average value of the H_α emission is not significantly different from thatmeasured for field galaxies, and that most of the groups that show thehighest level of L /L _B, with respect to a set of synthetic groups built out of field galaxies, show tidal features in at least one of their members. Finally, we have exploredthe relationship between the ratio L /L _B and severalrelevant dynamical parameters of the groups (velocity dispersion, crossingtime, radius and mass-to-luminosity ratio) and have found no clearcorrelation. This suggests that the exact dynamical state of a groupdoes not appear to control the SFR of the group as a whole. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The G–O Rule and Waldmeier Effect in the Variations of the Numbers of Large and Small Sunspot Groups

We have analyzed the combined Greenwich and Solar Optical Observing Network (SOON) sunspot group data during the period of 1874??C?2011 and determined variations in the annual numbers (counts) of the small (maximum area A _M<100 millionth of solar hemisphere, msh), large (100??A _M<300?msh), and big (A _M??300?msh) spot groups. We found that the amplitude of an even-numbered cycle of the number of large groups is smaller than that of its immediately following odd-numbered cycle. This is consistent with the well known Gnevyshev and Ohl rule (G?CO rule) of solar cycles, generally described by using the Zurich sunspot number (R _Z). During cycles 12??C?21 the G?CO rule holds good for the variation in the number of small groups also, but it is violated by cycle pair (22, 23) as in the case of R _Z. This behavior of the variations in the small groups is largely responsible for the anomalous behavior of R _Z in cycle pair (22, 23). It is also found that the amplitude of an odd-numbered cycle of the number of small groups is larger than that of its immediately following even-numbered cycle. This might be called the ??reverse G?CO rule??. In the case of the number of the big groups, both cycle pairs (12, 13) and (22, 23) violated the G?CO rule. In many cycles the positions of the peaks of the small, large, and big groups are different, and considerably differ with respect to the corresponding positions of the R _Z peaks. In the case of cycle?23, the corresponding cycles of the small and large groups are largely symmetric/less asymmetric (the Waldmeier effect is weak/absent) with their maxima taking place two years later than that of R _Z. The corresponding cycle of the big groups is more asymmetric (strong Waldmeier effect) with its maximum epoch taking place at the same time as that of R _Z.     

Structure and Kinematics of Emission Line Regions in AGN

1　IntroductionInmostcurrentworkingmodelsofAGNsacentralsupermassiveblackholeissurroundedbyabroademissionlineregion (BLR)atdistancesfrom 10 15toabout10 17cm .Thisregionisexpectedtobemoreorlesssphericalintheunifiedschemeofactivegalacticnuclei (AGN) .Thebroadlineregionissurroundedbyathickdustytorus.Inthesocallednarrowlineregion (NLR)thenarrowemissionlinesaregeneratedbyphotoionizationand/orshocks.Thisregionextendsfrom 10 17cmuptoseveralkpc .TheNLRisnotsphericallysymmetricinmostobservedcases…     

Polarization of ULF waves in the earth’s magnetosphere

Conditions for the realization of ULF waves with different polarization are formulated and verified with the use of observational data from the spacecrafts which performed measurements in the earth’s magnetosphere. It is shown that the conditions formulated are in good agreement with observed wave parameters.     

Influence of the Gravitational Fields of the Moon and the Sun on Long-Period Variations in the Proper Rotation of “Midas” Satellites

We report the results of an analysis of the variation of the proper rotation of several destabilized satellites over many-year long time intervals. The cause of the cyclic variations of the proper rotation period of “Midas-7” satellite, which has been orbiting the Earth since 1963 at an altitude of 3700 km, have long been unclear. These variations could not be explained either by the influence of the terrestrial atmosphere and terrestrial magnetic field, or by solar activity. Based on the results of 40-year long observations of “Midas-4,” “Midas-6,”, and “Midas-7” satellites it was established that their proper rotation exhibits not only dissipative braking variations, but also long-period variations with the periods of 477 days (“Midas-4”), 466 days (“Midas-6”), and 346 days (“Midas-7”) with different amplitudes. These variations in the case of the above satellites have well-defined resonance nature. An explanation of the processes found is proposed based on the results of this study and simulations of the observed orbital dynamics of the satellites. Long-period variations of the proper spacecraft rotation arise as a result of the combined effect of the gravitational fields of the Earth, Moon, and Sun depending on the orientation of their orbital planes in space. The amplitudes of such variations is determined by the inclination of satellite orbits to the equator: the closer it is to the pole (i.e., to 90?), the stronger the effect.     

Polarization and brightness of the blazar S5 0716+714 in 1991–2004

We investigate the photometric and polarimetric behavior of the blazar S5 0716+714 based on the observations carried out in 1991–2004 at the 125-cm Crimean Astrophysical Observatory telescope (AZT11) with a photopolarimeter that allows simultaneous polarization and brightness measurements to be made in the U BV RI bands. We also provide the U BV photometry for the blazar obtained in 2000–2009 with a 60-cm telescope at the Crimean Station of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute. The pattern of flux variability and the correlation between the brightness, color, and polarization variations have been investigated. In this time interval the blazar showed a significant brightness and polarization variability similar to noise processes.     

Parameters of the spiral structure of the galaxy from data on δ Cephei stars

We determined the locations of Galactic spiral arm segments for various age groups from the available data on the positions, ages, radial velocities, and proper motions of 440 δ Cephei variables using a previously developed technique. We obtained such parameters of the Galactic spiral structure as the arm pitch angle, , and the pattern speed, Ω_P = 21.7 ± 2.8 km s^?1 kpc^?1, which are comparable to and Ω_P = 20.4 ± 2.5 km s^?1 kpc^?1, respectively, determined previously from open star clusters. Based on the radial velocities and proper motions of the sample stars, we derived the rotation curve of the Galaxy for the range of Galactocentric distances approximately from 6 to 15 kpc. Using the pattern speed, we determined the positions of the corotation region and the inner and outer Lindblad resonances. We estimated the perturbation amplitudes of the Galactic velocity field, f _R = ?1.8 ± 2.5 km s^?1 and f _? = +4.0 ± 3.4 km s^?1.     

Long-term Spatial and Temporal Variations of Aurora Borealis Events in the Period 1700 – 1905

Catalogues and other records of aurora-borealis events were used to study the long-term spatial and temporal variation of these phenomena in the period from 1700 to 1905 in the Northern Hemisphere. For this purpose, geographic and geomagnetic coordinates were assigned to approximately 27?000 auroral events with more than 80?000 observations. They were analyzed separately in three large-scale areas: i) Europe and North Africa, ii) North America, and iii) Asia. There was a clear need to fill some gaps existing in the records so as to have a reliable proxy of solar activity, especially during the 18th century. In order to enhance the long-term variability, an 11-year smoothing window was applied to the data. Variations in the cumulative numbers of auroral events with latitude (in both geographic and geomagnetic coordinates) were used to discriminate between the two main solar sources: coronal mass ejections and high-speed streams from coronal holes. The characteristics of the associated auroras correlate differently with the solar-activity cycle.     

UBV photoelectric photometry of the 1976–1978 eclipse of VV Cephei

This paper presents the result of UBV photoelectric photometry of VV Cephei. The contact times are determined from the B-V and U-B curves. The epoch of mideclipse is JD 2443361 in agreement with prediction. The unequal depths of the falling and rising branches of the colour curves can be explained by gas streaming from the M-type supergiant component. The radius of the M-type supergiant is about 1860 R and its atmosphere has a thickness of 450 R.     

Long-term variations in the β Cephei stars 16 (EN) Lac and ν Eri

We present results of an investigation of the long-term variations of the amplitudes of the three strongest modes of 16 (EN) Lac and of the period of the strongest mode of ν Eri. We show that in the case of the first star there are feasible explanations of the observed variations. The explanations involve non-linear interaction between pulsation modes (the first two observed modes) and beating between two non-interacting modes of constant amplitudes (the third observed mode). In the case of the second star, however, we can only indicate the difficulty of accounting for the long-term period variation.     

Particle Acceleration and High-Frequency (X-ray and γ-ray) Emission in the Jets of Active Galactic Nuclei

It is suggested that the outflowing plasma in the jets of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is inhomogeneous and consists of separate clouds. These clouds are strongly magnetized and move away from the central engine at relativistic speeds. The clouds interact with an ambient medium which is assumed to be at rest. In the process of this interaction, particles of the ambient medium are accelerated to high energies at the cloud front and flow ahead of the front. It is shown that the radiation of the accelerated particles may be responsible for the X-ray and γ-ray emission from AGN jets. TeV γ-ray emission is generated in the inner parts of AGN jets where the Lorentz factor of the cloud fronts is Γ0≥ 30, while GeV γ-ray emission emanates from the outer parts of AGN jets where Γ0 is ∼ 10. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evidence of the Link between Broad Emission Line Regions and Accretion Disks in Active Galactic Nuclei

1 INTRODUCTION Most bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs) exhibit broad emission lines, with full width at half maximum (FWHM ≥ 103 km s?1) (Peterson et al. 1999). Some type 1 AGNs could have very broad emission lines (FWHM≥ 20 000 km s?1). Type 2 AGNs s…     

Variations of Flaring Kernel Sizes in Various Parts of the H⍺ Line Profile

We analyze the temporal variations of the sizes and emission intensities of 31 flaring kernels in various parts of the H? line profile. We have found that the areas of all kernels decrease systematically when observed in consecutive wavelengths toward the wings of the H? line, but their areas and emission intensity vary in time. Our results are in agreement with the commonly accepted model of the wine-glass-shaped lower parts of the magnetic flaring loops channelling high-energy variable particle beams toward the chromospheric plasma. High time-resolution spectral-imaging data used in our work were collected using the Large Coronagraph and Horizontal Telescope equipped with the Multi-channel Subtractive Double Pass Spectrograph and the Solar Eclipse Coronal Imaging System (MSDP-SECIS) at the Bia?ków Observatory of the University of Wroc?aw, Poland.