A method of colour excess determination for classical cepheids

By use of the reddening free [m ₁], [c ₁], and indices data inuvby photometric system for three classical cepheids whose reddening values had been determined with the aid of photometry of field stars, three intrinsic relations of [m ₁]–(b–y), [c ₁]–(b–y), and –(b–y) have been established. It was shown that these three relations can be used to determine the colour excesses for other classical cepheids.     

Spectroscopic Study of a Large Sample of Galaxies Discovered in the Second Byurakan Survey Fields

The Second Byurakan Survey (SBS) is a well known combined survey, which uses the presence of UV-excess radiation in the continuum, or the presence of emission-lines in the spectra for the identification of active and star-forming galaxies. This paper reports on a comparative study of 77 galaxies identified with UV-excess, and 34 galaxies identified via emission-line techniques in the fields of the SBS. The spectroscopic parameters used for the comparison are the [OII]3727/H and [OIII]5007/H emission-lines ratios, the equivalent widths of [OII]3727, [OIII]5007 and H emission-lines, and the C _[OII]-C _H index. Spectroscopic parameters as well as new redshifts were determined from the spectra obtained with the 6m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (Russia). The main results are: 1) Galaxies discovered via UV-excess technique are preferably more active. 2) Galaxies discovered via emission-line technique are preferably high-excitation low-luminosity star-forming galaxies. 3) UV-excess galaxies with faintest UV-excess radiation are likely candidates to be LINER or Sy2 type objects.     

Differences in the emission line spectrum at maximum and minimum of the nuclear brightness of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469

We have compiled data on relative intensties, fluxes and profiles of emission lines of the NGC 7469 nuclear spectrum observed in the optical region by many authors during 1966–1986. The aim of our investigation is to reveal differences in the characteristics of the emission lines in maxima and minima of the nuclear brightness. The distinction was revealed for relative intensities, fluxes and profiles. During the extreme maxima profiles ofH ,H andH lines, colour indices of the nucleus and its high level of accretion rate resemble those of QSOs. On the other hand, during the deep minimum 1989 the nucleus had the properties of a Sy2 type. There is a relation between variable fluxes ofH and [OIII] 5007 Å lines which is different for the minima and maxima of the nuclear brightness. The fluxes of the [OIII] 5007 Å line during the minima of the nuclear brightness are systematically higher than those in maxima. The above mentioned peculiarities of the emission lines in the NGC 7469 nucleus can be understood in terms of the increase of electron temperature, electron density and velocities of the nuclear gas from minimum to maximum.     

Recent spectral variations of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5548

The nucleus of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 5548 was very faint and the intensity of the broad emission component of H was unusually low in March–April and in July 1990. Similar stages was found only twice in this decade, in 1979 and 1981, prior to the present one. The very broad components of He I and He II were not detected in 1990.The blueward edge of the broad component of H was much steeper than the redward one in 1990, in contrast to the profiles with the opposite asymmetry in the years 1979–1981. This result suggests that a main part of the broad component blueshifted in the recent several years. An upper limit of the displacement of the broad component of H occurred during the years from 1984 to 1990 was estimated to be about - 2000 km s^–1. If this variation of the radial velocity was due to an orbital motion of the exciting source in a binary system, the total mass of the system is about 6 × 10⁶ M . The luminosity of the nucleus is the same order of the Eddington limit of this total mass.     

Echelle-mepsicron time-resolved spectroscopy of the dwarf nova SS Cygni

High dispersion time-resolved spectrograms of the dwarf nova SS Cygni, obtained with the Echelle-Mepsicron system, show double peaked emission lines with a complex profile. The intensity of the H line appears to be modulated by the orbital period. Radial velocity measurements of the wings of H and of the absorption line system of the late-type star yield semiamplitude values of K_em=101±6 km s^–1 and K_ab=151±7 km s^–1, respectively. Radial velocity measurements of the blue and red peaks and of the central absorption of H reveal a synchronous movement with the broad wings, although there is some evidence of a narrow component probably associated with a hot spot in the disk or a chromospheric emission line from the secondary star. The H modulation, the double profile and recently discovered UBV light variations support an inclination angle i 50°. The masses of the primary are M_p=0.60 M and M_s=0.40 M, respectively. A detailed analysis of the absorption lines reveals a spectral type of K2V.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Prompt high-energy particle acceleration during two-current-loop collisions

We present a model of prompt high-energy particle acceleration during two-current-loop collisions. By investigating test proton and test electron motions in the electromagnetic field derived from the MHD equations, we found that high-energy particle acceleration occurs only in the case ofY-type, loop-loop collisions. The results depend strongly on the plasma and initial position of the test particle. When the plasma increases, the particle acceleration rate decreases. The particles near the edge of the collision region can be accelerated to higher energy than the ones inside it. It has been shown that both protons and electrons can be accelerated to 10 GeV within 0.001 s and 5 MeV within 10^–6 s, respectively. In the case ofY-type loop-loop collisions, one may expect that high-energy gamma-ray and neutrons will be generated from interaction between high-energy particles and the low atmospheric plasma.     

The Restricted Three -Body Problem. Comments on the `Spatial' Equilibrium Points

In the photogravitational restricted three-body problem, the role of theradiation-pressure is reviewed. By the analytical considerations, the existence of the `spatial' equilibrium points is analysed. In order to avoid the unknown parameters of the infinitesimal body, for the two component stars an analytical function ₂ =f(₁ ) is established.In contrast to results given by other authors, here only one pair of suchpoints is found. A numerical simulation for RW Monocerotis is undertakenand it is found L ₆(–0.055; 0; +1.07) and L ₇(–0.055; 0; –1.07).     

The effect of luminosity-redshift correlation on the analysis of the angular size-redshift relation for radio galaxies

The variation of radio luminosity with redshift and its effect on the analysis of the angular size-redshift ( –z) relation for a bright radio source sample (s ₁₇₈ 10Jy) has been investigated. By assuming a power law dependence of luminosity on redshift of the formP (1 +z), it was found that 4.4 (with correlation coefficientr 0.99) for at leastz 0.3. Correction for such a strongP – (1 +z) correlation when considering the –z data for the sample led to a steeper –z slope. This could be explained by assuming linear size evolution of the formD (1 +z)^–n withn = 2.8 – 3.3 consistent with both theoretical results and those obtained for more homogeneous source samples.     

Plasma Beta above a Solar Active Region: Rethinking the Paradigm

In this paper, we present a model of the plasma beta above an active region and discuss its consequences in terms of coronal magnetic field modeling. The -plasma model is representative and derived from a collection of sources. The resulting variation with height in the solar atmosphere is used to emphasize that the assumption that the magnetic pressure dominates over the plasma pressure must be carefully employed when extrapolating the magnetic field. This paper points out (1) that the paradigm that the coronal magnetic field can be constructed from a force-free magnetic field must be used in the correct context, since the force-free region is sandwiched between two regions which have >1, (2) that the chromospheric Mgii–Civ magnetic measurements occur near the -minimum, and (3) that, moving from the photosphere upwards, can return to 1 at relatively low coronal heights, e.g., R1.2 R _s.     

Dynamics of Blinkers

The relative Doppler and non-thermal velocities of quiet-Sun and active-region blinkers identified in Ov with CDS are calculated. Relative velocities for the corresponding chromospheric plasma below are also determined using the Hei line. Ov blinkers and the chromosphere directly below, have a preference to be more red-shifted than the normal transition region and chromospheric plasma. The ranges of these enhanced velocities, however, are no larger than the typical spread of Doppler velocities in these regions. The anticipated ranges of Doppler velocities of blinkers are 10–15 km s^–1 in the quiet Sun (10–20 km s^–1 in active regions) for Hei and 25–30 km s^–1 in the quiet Sun (20–40 km s^–1 in active regions) for Ov. Blinkers and the chromosphere below also have preferentially larger non-thermal velocities than the typical background chromosphere and transition region. Again the increase in magnitude of these non-thermal velocities is no greater than the typical ranges of non-thermal velocities. The ranges of non-thermal velocities of blinkers in both the quiet Sun and active regions are estimated to be 15–25 km s^–1 in Hei and 30–45 km s^–1 in Ov. There are more blinkers with larger Doppler and non-thermal velocities than would be expected in the whole of the chromosphere and transition region. The recently suggested mechanisms for blinkers are revisited and discussed further in light of the new results.     

The equivalent width of the Hβ emission line and the evolution of the Hii regions

The synthetic equivalent width (W _H) of the line H in emission is obtained for Hii regions opaque to the Lyman photon flux, with embedded OB associations with different initial chemical compositions and initial mass functions. The variation ofW _H as a function of the evolution of the ionizing stars is analysed. The observations ofW _H for M33, M101, and M51 by Searle (1971) are discussed.     

Lunar physical librations and laser ranging

The analysis of lunar laser ranging data requires very accurate calculations of the lunar physical librations. Libration terms are given which arise from the additive and planetary terms in the lunar theory. The large size of the recently discovered terms due to third degree gravitational harmonics will allow some of these harmonics to be measured, in addition to and, by laser ranging to the Moon. Combining the laser ranging determinations of = 630.6 ± 0.5 × 10^–6 and = 226.4 ± 3.0 × 10^–6 with lunar orbiter measurements ofC ₂₀ andC ₂₂ givesC/MR ²=0.395 _-0.010 ^+0.006 . Numerical integration promises to be an effective method of calculating librations. Comparison of numerical integrations with analytic series indicates that the calculation of the series due to third and fourth degree harmonics is not yet as accurate as the more extensively developed second degree terms.Communication presented at the Conference on Lunar Dynamics and Observational Coordinate Systems, held January 15–17, 1973, at the Lunar Science Institute, Houston, Tex., U.S.A.     

A mechanism for the formation of plasmoids and kink waves in the heliospheric current sheet

Satellite observations of the heliospheric current sheet indicate that the plasma flow velocity is low at the center of the current sheet and high on the two sides of current sheet. In this paper, we investigate the growth rates and eigenmodes of the sausage, kind, and tearing instabilities in the heliospheric current sheet with the observed sheared flow. These instabilities may lead to the formation of the plasmoids and kink waves in the solar wind. The results show that both the sausage and kink modes can be excited in the heliospheric current sheet with a growth time 0.05–5 day. Therefore, these modes can grow during the transit of the solar wind from the Sun to the Earth. The sausage mode grows faster than the kink mode for < 1.5, while the streaming kink instability has a higher growth rate for > 1.5. Here is the ratio between the plasma and magnetic pressures away from the current layer. If a finite resistivity is considered, the streaming sausage mode evolves into the streaming tearing mode with the formation of magnetic islands. We suggest that some of the magnetic clouds and plasmoids observed in the solar wind may be associated with the streaming sausage instability. Furthermore, it is found that a large-scale kink wave may develop in the region with a radial distance greater than 0.5–1.5 AU.Also at Department of Earth and Space Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei Anhui 230029, China.     

The effect of a bounded interplanetary diffusion medium on the propagation of solar flare cosmic rays

An analysis of solar flare data indicates that the graph of log(nt ^3/(2–)) deviates late in the solar event from the straight line predicted for the infinite, unbounded interplanetary medium. It is shown by mathematical analysis, utilizing a model based on the radial diffusion coefficient D = Mr , with 1, that the deviation can be ascribed to the loss of flare particles through an external boundary at about 5–6 AU from the Sun. An inner region terminating at 5–6 AU, followed by an extensive region of increasingly less resistance to the diffusion of flare particles is also feasible and it is shown that measurements taken at the Earth cannot predict the extent of this outer region. The results are applicable to either the isotropic or highly anisotropic models. The constant diffusion model is shown to be inadequate since it requires a boundary 1.5 AU from the Sun. In view of the present and previous studies of solar flare data, it is asserted that the fundamental principle governing the diffusion of solar flare particles through interplanetary space is the radial diffusion coefficient mode of propagation.     

Solution of the equation of transfer for interlocked multiplets with planck function as a nonlinear function of optical depth

The equation of transfer for interlocked multiplets has been solved exactly by the method used by Busbridge and Stibbs (1954) for exponential form of the Planck functionB _v (T)=b ₀+b ₁ e ^–.     

Stellar atmospheric velocity fields: The Beta Cephei variables γ Peg and β Cep

The shape parameters of a number of selected ultraviolet lines in BUSS-spectra of the Beta Cephei stars Peg and Cep have been analyzed to determine the principal parameters of the atmospheric velocity field. We find for both stars a fairly high value (5 km s^–1) for the microturbulent line-of-sight velocity component, which confirms an earlier result based on lower resolution UV spectra. Macroturbulent and rotational velocities are virtually zero in the atmosphere of Peg; for Cep we findv _rotsini=40 km s^–1.On leave from Akita University, Akita, Japan.     

New System of Coordinates for Tokamaks

A new system of coordinates for tokamak is presented here. They are described by the usual toroidal angle and coordinates in the meridian plane using the projection of the magnetic field lines and families of orthogonal lines. The number of families depends on the number of magnetic axis, and in this way the number of regions in the meridian plane are also defined. The differential operators are obtained using the curvatures _s and of each family. Grad–Safranov equation, poloidal field equations and Pfirsch–Schlüter transport are described in a general way using this kind of coordinates.     

Effect of cavitation on spherical blast waves

For spherical blast waves propagating through a self-gravitating gas with an energy inputE =E ₀ t , whereE is the energy released up to timet,E ₀ is a functional constant, and is a constant, kinetic, internal heat, and gravitational potential energies have been computed. Taking the parameterA ², which characterises the gravitational field, equal to 2, variations of the percentages of these energies for =0, 1/2, 4/3, and 3 with shock strength have been presented. For =3, the effect of cavitation on the percentages of kinetic energy and internal heat energies has been explored.     

Quantum effects in cyclotron plasma absorption

It is shown that X-ray radiation of neutron stars with magnetic fieldsB=10¹¹–10¹³ G near cyclotron resonances=s _B (s=1,2,...) is deeply affected by such quantum effects as electron-positron vacuum polarization (significant at V=3×10²⁸ n _e ^–1 (B/B _C ⁴)1, whereB _C =4.4×10¹³G), the quantizing character of the magnetic field (significant atV=3 x 10²⁸ n _e ^–1 (B/B _c)⁴1 whereB _c =4.4 x 10¹³G), the non-harmonic character of the Landau levels, and the quantum recoil of electrons. The latter two factors shift the resonances by the frequency –s ² _B (B/2B _c )sin², being the angle between the direction of radiation propagation and the magnetic field. IfVV ₀ (for 1,V ₀^–1=(mc ²/2T)^1/2), the normal mode (NM) polarizations, as well as the absorption coefficientk ₁ of the extraordinary NM in the Doppler core of the first resonance (|–| _B cos ), is only slightly affected by varyingb and/orV, whereas for the ordinary NM (at 1)k ₂k ₁ ²[b + (3 + tan²–2V)²]k ₁. For sufficiently largeb and/orV the quantum effects amplify resonant absorption of the ordinary NM at _B , with spin-flip transitions playing a major role atb1+V ². IfVV ₀, the coefficientsk ₁ andk ₂ in the Doppler core of the resonance are of the same order and acquire some peculiar features (shifts, intersections, etc.), with the NM polarizations depending sharply on and being strongly non-orthogonal. AtVV ₀,k ₂=k ₁(cos² +B/2B _C ) and the polarizations are almost linear. Near high resonances (s2), as a rule,k _1,2(1 + b) ^{s–1 2s–3} i.e., absorption increases withb due to replacement of the thermal energy of the transverse motion of electron,T, by the magnetic energy _B . The above effects should be taken into account for an interpretation of observational data on X-ray pulsars (e.g., Her X-1) and other X-ray sources associated with neutron stars.     

Line formation in spherical media with partial frequency redistribution

Lines formed in a differentially expanding atmosphere have been calculated by using the angle averaged redistribution functionR _I (Hummer, 1962). We have compared these lines, in a few cases, with those formed by complete redistribution in the observer's frame of reference. We have considered an atmosphere whose ratios of inner to outer radii are 2 and 10, and it is assumed that the gas in the atmosphere is expanding uniformly with a maximum velocity of 3 mean thermal units. We have presented lines formed in spherical symmetry and those obtained by integrating over the apparent disc. Three types of physical situations are considered with a 2-level atom with non-LTE approximation (1) =10^–4, =10^–4, (2) =10^–4, =0 and (3) ==0, where is the probability per scatter that a photon is destroyed by collisional de-excitation, and is the ratioKc/Kl of absorption in the continuum per unit frequency interval to that in the line centre.It is found that there are noticeable differences between the profiles formed by partial redistribution (PRD) and complete redistribution (CRD). The profiles integrated over the stellar disc from the first type of the media are box type with flat top, which are similar to those observed in WC stars and those from the second type of media show emission peaks on red and blue sides with emission on the red side larger than the one on the blue side. The profiles from the third type of media with pure scattering, show some emission on the red side and deep absorption on the blue side. Large geometrical extensions of the atmosphere and higher gas velocities seem to enhance these two effects.