Radio emission of the NGC 1499 nebula at decametric wavelengths

Observations of the ionized hydrogen region NGC 1499 have been carried out with the radio telescope UTR-2 at frequencies 12.6, 14.7, 16.7, 20 and 25 MHz. The half-power resolution of the instrument to zenith is 28×34 at 25 MHz. The average volume density of the non-thermal radio emission between the Sun and the nebula (1.75×10^–40 W m^–3 Hz^–1 ster^–1 at 25 MHz), the electron temperature of the HII nebula (T _e =4400 K), the measure of emission (ME=1500 cm^–6 pc) and other parameters have been obtained. Maps of brightness distribution over the source are presented for each observation frequency. The results are compared with previously obtained data.     

Forbidden sulphur I lines in the solar spectrum

The [SI] lines are due to transitions within the 3s²3p⁴ ground configuration of neutral sulphur. The results are presented from a search for the [Si] lines in the Fraunhofer spectrum. Two identifications are proposed with faint features in the Fraunhofer spectrum: ¹D₂-¹S₀ at = 7725.02 Å and ³P₂-¹D₂ at = 10821.23 Å. Their measured equivalent widths are shown to confirm the value for the solar abundance of sulphur, logN _S = 7.21 (in the scale logN _H = 12.00), which is derived from the permitted high-excitation lines. These lines give the first convincing identification of [Si] lines in an astrophysical source.     

Activity in the quiet Sun

Macrospicules have been observed in H and He i D₃, on the disk and above the limb. In 1975, a rate of 1400 (A day)^–1 is inferred, and the ratio of equatorial to polar rates 2. D₃ intensities are a few × 10^–3 of the disk center, and do not decrease in coronal holes. The ratio of H to D₃ intensities is 10. The integral number of macrospicules with D₃ intensity I ₀ is proportional to I ₀ ^–1.     

Line intensity ratios of transitions within the 1s 22s 22p 2 ground configuration of Mgvii

Using theR-matrix approach new calculations have been made for the electron impact excitation of the fine structure transitions within the 1s ²2s ²2p ² ground configuration of Mgvii. The computations have been made at a large number of energies in order to account for the contribution of resonances. All partial waves withL 9 are included in the calculations which are considered to be sufficient for the convergence of collision strengths in the energy range below 65 Ry. From this collision strength data, excitation rate coefficients have been calculated at a series of electron temperatures which are employed in the computation of population of the five lowest levels of Mgvii. The line intensity ratios for the transitions³ P ₁ ¹ D ₂ and³ P ₂ ¹ D ₂ to³ P ₁ ¹ S ₀ are then calculated in the temperature range of 10⁵ to 10⁷ K at electron densities in the range 10⁶ to 10¹⁰ cm^–3. The calculated values are in good agreement with the earlier available results.     

Structure of the expanding atmosphere of P Cygni

With the aid of the spectra taken in the years 1959–1968, a physical analysis of the atmosphere of P Cygni has been carried out and the motions of the atmosphere have been studied. The variations of radial velocities, the velocity progressions of Balmer and Hei lines, the high rate of mass loss (2×10^–5 M yr^–1), the features of the observed line profiles, especially that of H-K lines of Caii andD ₁-D ₂ lines of Nai confirm the conclusion of Van Blerkom (1978), concerning the assumption of an accelerating atmosphere for P Cygni. The electron density variation with the radius seems to ben _e r ^–5/2, with an average value of 7×10¹¹cm^–3 at the lower boundary of the atmosphere.In order to explain the two absorption components of observed lines, an atmospheric model based on the assumption of three envelopes, two of which accelerate gradually with two different velocity laws (up to 11.2r _c ), and the third of which accelerates rapidly with a standard velocity law (beyond 11.2r _c ) has been developed. From this model and the observed profiles, the geometrical thicknesses of the line-forming regions of H, H, H, and H are derived.The observations were obtained at Haute Provence Observatory (CNRS).     

Franck-condon factors and -centroids for certain band systems of astrophysical molecular ions CN+ and N+2

The Franck-Condon factors and r-centroids, which are very closelyrelated to relative vibrational transition probabilities, have beenevaluated by the more reliable numerical integration procedure forthe bands of c ¹ - a ¹ and f ¹ - a ¹ systems of CN ⁺ and C ^{2 +} _u- X ^{2 +} _g and D ² _g- A ² _u systems of N ⁺ ₂ molecular ions of astrophysical interest,using a suitable potential.     

The luminosity-diameter relation in normal ellipticals: A tool for environmental effects

We have examined a sample of 150 elliptical galaxies taken from a recent survey (Bursteinet al., 1987) which includes also new CCD photometric data. The fits of total luminosityL versus three different diameter indicators (i.e., the effective diameterD _e, theD _n diameter proposed by Dressleret al. (1987), and the isophotal diameterD ₀ at 25 mag arc sec^–2) had given no sign of environmental effect on such quantities. A comparison with previous results based on lower quality data was carried out in order to check the reliability of different photometries and statical tools used.Our main conclusion is that the luminosity-diameter relation seems to be universal in the range of luminosities spanned by our sample; so environmental effects, if present, must be smaller than observational errors.     

Observations of the Rosette nebula NGC 2237 at decametric wavelengths

The results of observations of the Rosette emission nebula NGC 2237 with the radio telescope UTR-2 at frequencies 12.6, 14.7, 16.7, 20.0 and 25.0 MHz are given in the shape of contours of constant brightness temperature. The half-power beamwidth of the telescope to zenith at 25.0 MHz was 28×38. Density weighted mean values for the non-thermal radio emissivity between the Sun and the source (7.9×10^–41 W m^–3 Hz^–1 ster^–1 at 25.0 MHz) and the ratio of the intensity of emissivity generated before the area and the intensity of galactic radio emissivity appearing beyond the area equal to 1.3 have been obtained. The electron temperatureT _e=3600 K, the optical depth (about ten at 25 MHz), the measure of emission (ME=3500 cm^–6 pc), the electron densityN _e=8 cm^–3 and the nebular mass 16.6×10⁺³ M have been determined. A comparison with other observation results has been made.     

The fine structure of prominences

High spatial resolution spectral observations of five hedgerow prominences were made in H, He i D₃ and Ca ii H and K.The observed relations between the lines were not the same in all prominences. The Ca ii H and K lines were 2–4 times brighter relative to H and D₃ than predicted theoretically. The optical thickness of H was less than for the H and K lines, the H was optically thin in medium faint prominence structures. Faint structures appeared slightly hotter than bright structures.On leave from Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029, Blindern, Oslo 3, Norway.     

Persistent 1.5 s oscillations superimposed to a solar burst observed at two mm-wavelengths

Long-enduring quasi-periodic oscilations (1.5s) superimposed upon a solar burst have for the first time been observed simultaneously at two different mm-wavelengths (22 GHz and 44 GHz). The oscillations were present throughout the burst duration (about 10 min), and were delayed at 44 GHz with respect to 22 GHz by 0.3 s. The relative amplitude of the oscillation was of about 20% at 44 GHz and of about 5% at 22 GHz. Interferometer measurements at 10.6 GHz indicated the burst source position stable within 1 arc sec. An He i D₃ line flare showed two persistent small spots separated by about 10 arc sec. The 22/44 GHz burst position corresponds well with the location of the He i D₃ spots. The oscillations display features which distinguish them from ultrafast time structures found in other bursts. One possible interpretation is a modulation of the synchrotron emission of trapped electrons by a variable magnetic field on a double burst source, optically thin at 44 GHz and with optical thickness 0.3 at 22 GHz.     

A proposed correction to the solar abundances of carbon and oxygen utilizing new and accurate theoretical forbidden transition probabilities

Previously published solar abundances of oxygen and carbon can be corrected to be logN(O) = 8.93 and logN(C) = 8.60 on the hydrogen log-scale when new accurate forbidden electric quadrupole transition probabilities A _Q(s^–1) are used. Such A _Q's, based on the new atomic structure and electron correlation theory, developed recently by Sinanolu and coworkers, are reported for the (¹ S ₀-¹ D ₂) lines of [C i], [N ii, [O i] and [O iii] and the (² P-² D) lines of [N i] and [O ii]. The available experimental values are also given for comparison.Work supported by Grant No. GP-29471 from the U.S. National Science Foundation.     

The spectrum and polarization of a source of synchrotron emission with components flying apart at relativistic velocities

In the present paper we consider the frequency spectrum, time variations and polarization of the flux of synchrotron radio emission from a source which consists of two components flying apart in opposite directions with relativistic velocities at the same time expanding. A comparison of the calculations with unusual double-humped spectra of some radio sources suggests the existence in their nuclei of such double components which are at an early stage of relativistic ejection. In particular the double-humped spectra of 3C 84 and 4C 50.11/NRAO-150 can be interpreted in the proposed model (see Figures 6, 7, 12 and Equations (22), (32)). In this model the ratio of maximum frequenciesv _1m/v _2m should be larger than that of the maximum fluxesF _v1m ⁽¹⁾/F _v2m ⁽²⁾.The linear polarization of the double-humped spectrum is analysed. It is found under rather specific conditions that at the low-frequency maximum of the spectrum of the type given in Figures 6 and 7 a lower degree of linear polarization is expected than at the high-frequency maximum. In addition, it is natural to expect the appearance of circular polarization in sources with internal largescale relativistic motions. The time variations of the radio flux of some QSS, N-galaxies, and nuclei of Seyfert galaxies can also be interpreted in the suggested model of two clouds of relativistic electrons flying apart in different directions with relativistic velocities while simultaneously expanding. For example, Figure 11 shows the flux variations at 3 frequencies whose ratio is 16:4:1. This picture is similar to the observations of 3C 279 at 3.4 mm, 2 cm and 6 cm, and several other sources (Kellermann andPauliny-Toth, 1968).There have been a number of attempts to explain the flux variations of radio sources in the model of successive, but unrelated outbursts of clouds of relativistic electrons caused by supernova explosions. This model meets many difficulties and seems improbable. In this paper we suggest experimental tests to make a final choice between the model of double components flying apart relativistically and the model of two successive, but unrelated, outbursts from supernovae.If the suggested model of explosions in radio sources is correct, then the processes of variable energy output in such different populations as QSS, N-galaxies, radio-galaxies and the nuclei of normal galaxies have a similar nature, differing only in quantity.Translated by D. F. Smith.     

Simultaneous multifrequency observations of an eruptive prominence at millimeter wavelengths

Radio images and spectra of an eruptive prominence were obtained from simultaneous multifrequency observations at 36 GHz, 89 GHz, and 110 GHz on May 28, 1991 with the 45-m radio telescope at Nobeyama Radio Observatory (NRO), the National Astronomical Observatory, Japan (NAOJ). The radio spectra indicated that the optical depth is rather thick at 36 GHz whereas it is thin at 89 and 110 GHz. The H data, taken at Norikura Solar Observatory, NAOJ, suggest that the eruption of an active region filament was triggered by an H flare. The shape and position of the radio prominence generally coincided with those of H images. The radio emission is explained with an isothermal cool thread model. A lower limit for the electron temperature of the cool threads is estimated to be 6100 K. The range of the surface filling factors of the cool threads is 0.3–1.0 after the H flare, and 0.2–0.5 in the descending phase of the eruptive prominence. The column emission measure and the electron number density are estimated to be of the order of 10²⁸ cm^–5 and 10¹⁰ cm^–3, respectively. The physical parameters of a quiescent prominence are also estimated from the observations. The filling factors of the eruptive prominence are smaller than those of the quiescent prominence, whereas the emission measures and the electron densities are similar. These facts imply that each cool thread of the prominence did not expand after the eruption, while the total volume of the prominence increased.     

Changes in coronal condensations emission after solar bursts at microwaves

The amount of circular polarization of the total solar radio emission at 7 GHz present permanent changes after the occurrence of certain radio bursts associated with larger flares. For isolated S-components, associated with such flares the changes of the polarization degree _sranges between 0.004 to 0.1, and appears to be a function of the flare importance. A semi-qualitative interpretation associates _swith magnetic field reductions at the S-component, agreeing fairly well with a flare mechanism based on collisionless dissipation of magnetic energy, corresponding to energies in the range of 10³⁰ to 10³² ergs, assuming an average model for the coronal condensations.     

Extreme ultraviolet flashes of solar flares observed via sudden frequency deviations: Experimental results

Properties of solar-flare EUV flashes measured via a type of ionospheric event, called a sudden frequency deviation (SFD), are presented. SFD's are sensitive to bursts of radiation in the 1–1030 Å wavelength range. He ii 303.8 Å, O v 629.7 Å, HL 972.5 Å and C iii 977.0 Å have essentially the same impulsive time dependence as the 1–1030 Å flash responsible for SFD's. Soft X-rays (2–20 Å) and certain EUV lines have a much slower time dependence than the 1–1030 Å flash. Most SFD's have some fine structure, but marked quasi-periodicity in EUV flashes is quite rare. EUV flashes are closely associated with hard X-ray bursts, white-light emission, microwave radio bursts and small bright impulsive kernels in the H flare. The intensity of EUV flashes depends on the central meridian distance of the H flare location; the intensity decreases at the limb. The total energy radiated in the 10–1030 Å flash for the largest events observed is about 10³¹ ergs.     

Solar irradiance from Nimbus-7 compared with ground-based photometry

We have compared total solar irradiance from Nimbus-7 with ground-based photometry from the San Fernando Observatory (SFO) for 109 days between June 1 and December 31, 1988. We have also included in some analyses NOAA-9 SBUV2 data orF10.7 radio flux. The Nimbus-7 data are from orbital samples, averaged to the mean time of observation at SFO. Using the same parameters as in Chapmanet al. (1992), the multiple regression gives anR ² = 0.9131 and a solar minimum irradiance,S ₀, = 1371.76 ± 0.18 W m^–2 for the best fit.     

A new approach to the possibilities of Σ(D)-dependence and distances of the supernova remnants

A new way of choosing of the calibrators for constructing (D)-dependence of supernova remnants (SNR) is suggested. A knowledge of the distance of an SNR is not sufficient to consider it as a calibrator. It is shown that neither more accurate determination of distance to calibrators, nor an increase in their number, nor an increase in the precision of the remnant angular size and radio flux determination can lead to a considerable improvement of simple (D)-dependence which is suggested in the given work.For remnants with small surface brightnesses there is no (D)-dependence at all. The most accurate remnant distances currently known, are given: these are liable to change only after a large amount of additional observational data accurately compiled.     

The Hei D 3 5876 Å line as an activity and structural indicator in F-type Hyades stars

We give the first results of a study in F-type MS stars using the Hei D ₃ absorption feature at 5876 Å as an indicator of stellar activity and structure. The observations were obtained with the QUB echelle spectrograph at the Cassegrain focus of the 4.2 m William Herschel telescope, and have spectral resolution /6×10⁴, and signal-to-noise ratios 200. We chose as a first sample 17 F-stars of the Hyades Main Sequence. It was found that Hei D ₃ and X-ray emission appear aroundB-V 0.3, indicating the onset of sub-surface convection zones. Below this value, in stars withB-V0.42–0.44 the behaviour of the Hei D ₃ equivalent width against Rossby number is different from that observed in later type stars, indicating that the presence of nonradiative mechanisms other than dynamo must be important in heating the chromospheres of these hotter stars.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.Based on observations made with the William Herschel telescope, operated on the island of La Palma by the Royal Greenwich Observatory, in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.     

The coronal disturbance (W 90 °, N 25 °) in the eclipse spectra of July 31, 1981

The physical properties in the coronal disturbance (CD) (W90, N25°) associated with an active prominence are investigated on the basis of the intensities and profiles of 5694 Å Caxv and 6702 Å Nixv lines and continuum measured in the eclipse coronal spectra of 31 July, 1981. The spectrograms have been taken with a dispersion of between 7 to 10 Å mm^-1 and a solar image of 15 mm in diameter. The following characteristics of the CD have been deduced. The CD occurred cospatially with an active prominence and consisted of two discrete regions with different temperatures penetrating each other. (1) Caxv region: T _e= 3.8 × 10⁶ K, the length along the slit of the spectrograph Z 65000 km, the effective line-of-sight length L 20000 km, the average electron density , nonthermal velocities V _t= (20–32) km s^-1. (2)Nixv-Caxiii region: T _e= 2.3 × 10⁶ K, Z 37000 km, L 35000 km, n _e 1 × 10⁹ cm^-3, V _t= (23–30) km s^-1. A macroscopic mass motion has been discovered within the Nixv region of the CD from the Doppler shifts of the 6702 Å Nixv line: V _r= + 27 km s^-1 on the lower and V _r= - 12 km s^-1 on the upper border of the CD. The average height of the CD was H 0.08 R . The radial velocities in the prominence found from the emission line tilts are + 12 and - 8 km s^-1 on its lower and upper borders. A similar picture of the mass motion in the CD and the prominence speaks in favour of an intimate relation between them.     

Statistical survey of planetary nebulae: Distances,masses, and distribution in the galaxy

On the basis of empirical (D)-dependency at the frequency of 5 GHz constructed using 15 planetary nebulae with the independently measured distances (10^–171×10^–20 W m^–2 Hz^–1 ster^–1), we evaluated distances of 335 objects. Independent evidence of the correctness of the accepted scale are given. Then(D)-dependency is constructed and it is shown that atD<0.08 pc the mean electron density is higher than the one determined by the Seaton method. We showed that the filling factor diminishes with the increase of the PN diameter (1 atD0.08 pc and 0.2 atD0.4 pc). the ionized mass of 33 PNs is determined. With the diameter increase the ionized mass grows and atD0.4 pc reaches the valueM0.07M . We used the new distance scale when investigating the space distribution of PNs. The mean scale height =130±15 pc and the mean gradient of the change of surface densitym=0.37, which allowed us to estimate the total number of nebulae in the GalaxyN4×10⁴. We divided the PNs according to their velocities (withV _LSR>35 km s^–1 andV _LSR<35 km s^–1) and permitted us to confirm that the PN belong to different sub-systems of the Galaxy. The estimated local formation rate of PNs [=(4.6±2.2)×10^–12 pc^–3 yr^–1] is a little higher than the one of the white dwarfs. That can be explained by a large number of PNs having binary cores, which used in our sample. The statistical estimation of PN expansion velocity showed thatV _ex increases from 5–7 km s^–1 (atD0.03 pc) to 40–50 km s^–1 (atD0.8 pc).