Asymmetric supernova explosions and the origin of binary pulsars

We investigate the effect of asymmetric supernova explosions on the orbital parameters of binary systems with a compact component. We relate such explosions to the origin of binary pulsars. The degree of asymmetry of the explosion is represented by the kick velocity gained by the exploding star due to the asymmetric mass ejection. The required kick velocity to produce the observed parameters of the binary pulsar PSR 1913+16 should be larger than 80 km s^–1 if the mass of the exploding star is larger than 4M . We examine the mean survival probability of the binary system (<f>) for various degrees of asymmetry in the explosion. The rare occurrence of a binary pulsar does not necessarily imply that such a probability is low since not all pulsars have originated in a binary system. Assuming the birth rate of pulsars derived by Taylor and Manchester (1977), we derive that <f> would be as high as 0.25. Such values of <f> can be obtained if the mass of the exploding stars is, in general, not large (10M ).     

Passage of the solar current disk and major geomagnetic storms

It is shown that major geomagnetic storms (¦Dst¦ > 100) tend to develop at about the time of the passage of the solar current sheet or disk at the location of the Earth, provided this passage is associated with (1) a large impulsive increase of the IMF magnitude B, (2) a negative value of the IMF angle (Theta), and (3) an increasing solar wind speed. The passage occurs in association with the 27-day rotation of the warped current disk or a temporal up-down movement of the latter. The period in which ¦Dst¦/t< 0 during major storms coincides approximately with the period when the solar windmagnetosphere energy coupling function becomes 10¹⁹ erg s^–1. These conclusions do not depend on the phase of the sunspot cycle.These results may be interpreted as follows: A high speed solar wind flow, originating either from flare regions or coronal holes, tends to push the solar current disk to move upward or downward for either a brief period (1 3 days) or an extended period (2 weeks). A relatively thin region of a large IMF B > 10 is often present near the moving current disk. Waves are also generated on the moving current disk, and some of them cause large changes of . A high value of is found in the region of a large IMF B near the wavy solar current disk, where has a large negative value.     

On the continuum intensity of the umbra of large sunspots

Spectral observations of large sunspots during the period June 1968 – Dec. 1969 in five wavelength regions between 4795 and 6775 are discussed. Selecting the best observations of two very large sunspots, we find slightly lower umbral intensities than derived by earlier observers. It is suggested that the small difference may be explained by the fact that earlier observers have used an average value, whereas we believe that the minimum value gives a more correct estimate of the umbral intensity.     

High redshift structures and the geometry of the universe

The geometry of space at high redshifts is dependent on the value of the cosmological constant (or its normalised contribution to the curvature of space, ₀). Here we investigate the prospects for constraining ₀ from the apparent dimensions of structures seen at very highz. As an example we consider the single highest redshift structure currently known, atz=3.4. We show that there can be substantial differences in apparent orientation, depending on the cosmological model assumed, in particular the radial stretching at highz can lead to structures inprobably well aligned with the line of sight if we (incorrectly) assume a large value of ₀. In our example we are limited by the effect of the (unknown) dynamics within this cluster/supercluster. However, a suitably well defined, relatively small, sample of large structures at highz, along with a study of their velocity fields, may provide an alternative, and complementary, approach to the use of very large statistical samples as required by previously suggested methods.     

A direct hydrodynamical approach to the evolution of the density correlations in an expanding flat Friedmann Universe

A direct approach of the dynamical equation for the evolution of the two-point density correlation function is given in an expanding flat Friedmann Universe in the Newtonian approximation. If the third and higher moments are neglected, a wave-like equation of third-order for the two-point density correlation function is found. The exact solution of this equation shows, in the large time limit, the usual Jeans instability t ^4/3. It is suggested that the highern-point correlation function of the density grow liket ^2n/3 in the same approximation. This indicates that every truncation procedure of the hierarchy of the equations is inapplicable at least for large timest.     

The asymptotic behavior of the supersonic solutions of the two-fluid solar wind equations

Three different asymptotic branches of the two-fluid equations are found with _e ^m , _p ⁿ , where, is the inverse distance from the Sun, with (m, n) = (2/7, 2/7), (2/7, 6/7), (4/3, 4/3); other special solutions are also found but they correspond to special choices of density and temperature at the corona. In all the (4/3, 4/3) solutions, the electron and proton temperatures tend to equality at large distances.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The formation of asymmetric Stokes V profiles in the presence of a magnetopause

A magnetopause that separates two regimes of different flow, additional to the separation of a magnetic field from a field-free plasma, gives rise to the formation of asymmetric Stokes profiles. Using a simple two-layer model atmosphere, where one layer comprises a magnetic field, the other being field-free, it is shown by analytical derivation that a wide variety of Stokes V profiles can be produced, having amplitude asymmetries a in the range –a. These include two-humped V profiles, which have two lobes of equal sign. For the most simple models, the asymmetry depends on the ratio of continuum intensity to the Planck radiation intensity of the magnetic layer at the wavelength of the spectral line under consideration, and on the line depth. Two-humped profiles (|a|>1) require the temperature of the magnetic layer to surpass the temperature of the line-core forming region, implying a temperature inversion, so that the V profile is partially in emission. The confrontation of this formation scenario with properties of observed one-lobe profiles of quiet-Sun network regions is inconclusive due to insufficient spatial resolution and lack of a sufficient sample of simultaneously recorded Stokes spectral lines of varying line depths. It seems, however, to be in good agreement with the observed frequent occurrence of abnormal V profiles of the very strong Nai D ₂ and D ₂ spectral line. A possible observational verification for the present formation scenario of abnormal Stokes V profiles and a novel method of Stokes inversion are discussed.     

On the origin of the flare optical continuum

We show that the bluish-white emission knots, observed in white-light flares, can be due to the existence of a quite large amount of material at a temperature T _e 2×10⁴ K in the Lyman- forming region.Av. Mitre 3100, San Miguel, Pcia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.     

Dependence of the aurora borealis occurrences on the solar-terrestrial parameters

The recent measurements made by satellites of the aurorae in connection with solar phenomena have increased interest in auroral research. In the present investigation, we establish that, for the 20th solar cycle, the occurrence of visual discrete aurorae A, deduced from a complete set of data, is significantly related to the sunspot numbers R _z, the number of flares F (of importance 1) the solar wind streams derived from solar coronal holes H, and the geomagnetic index A _p.By employing the theory of residues it has been found that A correlates significantly well with the above indices. Accuracies of the order of 75–94% were found for geomagnetic latitudes in the range of 54 –63 N.The A-R _zrelationship was investigated in particular for the period 1897–1951. For this period spectrum analysis of A annual values revealed the existence of 3–4 yr and 8–10 yr periodicities of significances 95% and 99%; respectively.Research Associate.     

Ejection of chromospheric material associated with injection of electrons in the solar corona

Observations of a type III radio event and of concurrent H absorbing features are related. They were obtained with the Nançay Radioheliograph and the Multichannel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph operating in H at Meudon. We are looking for the signature at chromosphere levels of the acceleration of the elctron beams triggering the type III bursts. Some promising results are pointed out: the relationship between velocities in H and the occurrence of the type III bursts, the shape of H line which reveals turbulent motions, the presence of parasitic magnetic polarity and the probable existence of a shock wave. A schematic scenario of the phenomenon is proposed, taking into account the observational constraints.     

Flare-associated high-speed solar plasma streams

Characteristics of flare-associated high-speed solar plasma streams are investigated using measurements from space probes and Earth-orbiting spacecraft for the period 1964–1982. The maximum observed velocity (V _m) of these streams range from 400 to 850 km s^–1} with peak probability for 600 km s^–1}. These remain for the period of 1–10 days with the peak occurrence 3 days. The difference between the pre-stream velocity (V ₀) and the maximum velocity (V _m) of any high-speed stream serves as the measure of its intensity. For about 60% of the flare associated streams, (V _m-V ₀) is well in excess of 200 km s^–1} and in some cases becomes as large as 450 km s^–1}. The yearly percentage occurrence, total duration and the product of mean (V _m - V ₀) with total duration of the high-speed streams during the year correlates well with solar activity, e.g., maximum during high solar activity period and minimum during low solar activity. The study suggests that presence of sunspots plays a significant role in the generation of flare associated high-speed solar streams.     

Asymmetries during the maximum phase of solar cycle 22

This paper presents the results of studies of the asymmetries (N-S and E-W) for different manifestations of solar activity events (sunspot groups, H flares and active prominences/filaments) during the maximum-phase (1989–1991) of solar cycle 22. During the period considered, the results obtained show the existence of a real N-S asymmetry, whereas the E-W asymmetry may exist only for H flares. There is no definite relationship between the asymmetries and the occurrence of events; however, around low activity sometimes we find enhanced asymmetry, and low asymmetry around high activity. Our study suggests a good agreement with similar studies made by others.     

Clues to the mode of excitation of Fe x ions in the solar corona from the 1980 eclipse observations

The line and continuum intensities deduced from the multislit spectra of the (Fe X) coronal emission line taken at the 1980 eclipse are used to discuss the relative roles of radiative and collisional excitation mechanisms. It is shown that for R/R < 1.2, collisional excitation is the predominant mode. Collisional as well as radiative excitation is equally important for 1.2 < R/R < 1.4, whereas beyond 1.4 R radiative excitation becomes dominant. The line width measurements indicate that a large number of locations have half-widths around 1.3 Å. The maximum half-width is reached at 1.4 R with an average value of 1.6 Å.     

Modelling of the effect of current-carrying jets on the temperature of an astrophysical surrounding

Numerical solution of the effect of current-carrying jets on the temperature of an astrophysical surrounding is carried out using classical magnetohydrodynamic equations. Under the assumption of small hydrodynamic and magnetic Reynolds numbers and invoking a jet magnetic field intensityB , which confines high pressure jets along thez-axis, a non-linear equation is generated and solved by asymptotic approximation. It is found that when the field intensity is large, the temperature of the surrounding is small and vice-versa. The problem is of interest in the astrophysical studies of current-carrying jets or magnetised radio jets.     

Transient response of the solar wind to changes in flow geometry

The transient response of the solar wind to changes in geometry is examined. An initial stationary flow in a configuration that diverges as r ² is assumed. This state corresponds to the usual solar wind solution. The effect on the flow through a tube whose area A(r, t) diverges faster than r ², with the degree of divergence increasing in time, is considered. The asymptotic form of A(r, t) is chosen to mimic the form inferred in coronal holes. A detailed parameter study relating the form of A(r, t) to the pattern of flow in the tube is presented. It is observed that in the limit of large time (large compared to , the time constant for change in geometry of a flow tube) the solutions obtained from a time-dependent analysis can depend upon . For sufficiently large , the asymptotic solution is the same as the steady state solution obeying the correct boundary conditions and possessing a smooth sonic transition. However, if the geometry changes rapidly enough, solutions exhibiting shock-like discontinuities can also exist. This is essentially a new feature that emerges from the present investigation. Finally, it is suggested that this study may be useful in describing flows in evolving coronal holes.     

Combustion as the cause of comet P/Halley's activity

The totality of the results obtained in the VEGA, GIOTTO and SUISEI projects does not lend itself to interpretation within the old sublimation models of comet activity considering solar radiation as the sole source of energy. Among them are the systematic excess of the velocity and temperature of the gas escaping from the nucleus over the theoretical values, the outflow being concentrated in several ( ~ 12–15) narrow ( ~ 300 m in size at the nucleus) hypersonic jets carrying very large amounts of remarkably fine CHON dust and located along continuous lines on the nuclear surface, intense release from the nucleus or very close to it (2 × 10³km) of CO (Q _Co/Q _{H2 O} = 0.05–0.2) with a smaller amount of CO₂ (Q _{CO 2}/ Q _{H2 O} 0.015), large near-nucleus abundances of C, C⁺ (Q _C/Q _CO 0.29), etc.The new observations, together with some earlier data still poorly understood (e.g. the appearance in the coma of large amounts of C₃) can be accounted for by assuming the cometary ices to contain, apart from hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, etc. also of free oxygen ( ~ 15 wt.%). Under these conditions, burning should occur in the products of sublimation under deficiency of oxidizer accompanied by the production of soot, smoke, etc. The burning should propagate under the surface crust and localize primarily at a few sites.The presence of oxygen in cometary ices follows from a new eruption theory assuming the minor bodies of the Solar System to have formed in explosions of the massive ice envelopes saturated by electrolysis products on distant moonlike bodies of the type of Ganymede and Callisto.     

A strong limitation on the rapidity of flux-pile-up reconnection

The reconnection rate which can be achieved in the steady-state flux-pile-up regime is severely limited by the gas pressure of the plasma. Using the family of solutions obtained previously by Priest and Forbes, we show that the Alfvén Mach number of the plasma flowing towards the reconnection site cannot exceed _e/(8 ln R _me), where _e and R _me are the plasma and magnetic Reynolds numbers at large distance. This limit corresponds to a very weak flux-pile-up, and it is a factor of _e slower than the maximum Petschek rate. Thus the maximum flux-pile-up reconnection rate in the corona is at least two orders of magnitude smaller than the rate implied by flare observations.     

Hidden mass in the solar neighborhood

It is suggested that the minimum mass of a star at the time of its formation is approximately 0.01M . Making use of this fact and the stellar mass functionF(M) M ^–, it is found that the hidden mass (or the missing mass) in the solar neighborhood may be explained by the presence of a large number of invisible stars of very low mass (0.01M M<0.07M ).     

Characteristics of enhanced and low-amplitude cosmic-ray diurnal variation

The occurrence of a large number of high- and low-amplitude cosmic-ray diurnal wave trains during the two solar cycles (20 and 21) over the years 1965–1990 has been examined as a function of solar activity. The high-amplitude days with the time of maximum in the 18:00 hr corotation direction do not indicate any significant correlation with solar activity. But, the low-amplitude days are inversely correlated with solar activity and the time of maximum shifts to earlier hours ( 15:00 hr direction). The slope of the power-specrum density roughly characterized by power spectral index n in the high-frequency range 3.5 x 10^–5 Hz to 8.3 x 10^–4 Hz (time scales of 20 min to 8 hr) is different for the two classes of events. A suggestion is made that the enhanced and low-amplitude cosmic-ray diurnal variations are produced by different types of interplanetary magnetic field distributions.     

Propagation of flare protons in the solar atmosphere

The velocity dispersion for a large number of solar proton events is analyzed in the energy regime of 10–60 MeV. It is found for all events that the time from the flare to particle maximum t _m is well represented by a sum of two components. The first component which is energy independent describes the propagation in the solar atmosphere, the second component describes the propagation in the interplanetary medium giving a velocity dispersion v × t _m = const. The additional study of time intensity profiles, onset times, and multispaceprobe observations reveals that the propagation in the solar atmosphere consists of three processes: (1) A rapid transport process in the initial ( 1 h) phase after the event fills up a fast propagation region (FPR), which may extend up to 60° from the flare site and which is tentatively identified with a large unipolar magnetic cell as seen on H synoptic charts, (2) a large-scale drift process which is energy independent with drift velocities v _D in the range 1° v _D 4°h^-1, and simultaneously (3) a diffusion process which yields the general broadening of the intensity time profiles for eastern hemisphere events, which is, however, of less importance than previously assumed.