Dust Grains in the Comae and Tails of Sungrazing Comets: Modeling of Their Mineralogical and Morphological Properties

Observations of sungrazing comets, all of which belong to the Kreutz family, provide the opportunity of studying the properties of dust in the comae and tails of the comets. On the basis of available information on cometary and interplanetary dust as well as observations of dust in the tails of sungrazers, we model dust in sungrazing comets as fluffy silicate aggregates of submicrometer sizes. To better interpret observational data, we numerically calculate the solar radiation pressure, the equilibrium temperature, and the sublimation and crystallization rates of silicate grains near the Sun. Our results show that the dust tails contain aggregates of submicrometer crystal grains, but not amorphous grains, since amorphous silicates mostly crystallize after release from the comets. The peak in the lightcurves of the dust comae observed either at 11.2 or 12.3 solar radii (R_⊙) seems to result from sublimation of fluffy aggregates consisting of crystalline or amorphous olivines, respectively. We attribute an additional enhancement in the lightcurves inside 7 R_⊙ to increasing out-flow of crystalline and amorphous pyroxenes composed fluffy aggregates. According to our model, the observed lightcurves indicate a high abundance of olivine and a low abundance of pyroxene in the comets, which may bear implications about the dynamical and thermal history of the sungrazers and their progenitor.     

Relation between the Spatial Distribution and Spectral Index of Superthermal Electron Distribution in Solar cm-Radio Sources

A series of solar cm-radio bursts are analyzed by a new inverse method estimating spatial changes of the superthermal electron distribution in solar cm-radio burst sources. It is found that the measure of the spatial change of superthermal electrons in the radio source ν _n is always greater than that for the magnetic field ν _B and it is linearly dependent on the spectral index of the electrons δ as ν _n ≈0.5δ. This relation is explained in the simplified flare-loop model integrating the analytical solutions of the Fokker – Planck equation. The mean value of ν _B is found to be 0.36±0.04, which is very close to the value of ν _B =0.38±0.02 derived from the dependence of the magnetic field strength on the height in the active region measured by RATAN-600.     

The Processing and Classification for the Spectra of Six Comets

In order to explore the relationship between comets and asteroids, the spectra of six comets, including 78P, C/2009 P1, 49P, C/2010 G2, C/2010 S1, and C/2011 F1, have been observed with the 2.16 m telescope at the Xinglong Observing Station of National Astronomical Observatories. At the same time, the spectra of some sun-like stars are also observed. The IRAF (Image Reduction and Analysis Facility) software is used to process the obtained spectra, and to obtain the relative re?ectance spectra of the six comets. Then, they are compared with the 24 asteroid spectral types of the Bus-DeMeo taxonomy to derive the spectral distances of these comets. According to the order of the calculated spectral distances, the details of the re?ectance spectra, as well as the results of the K-S test, the asteroid spectral types which are most close to the spectra of these comets are ?nally determined.     

The Atmosphere of Io: Abundances and Sources of Sulfur Dioxide and Atomic Hydrogen

An analysis and interpretation of reflected solar Lyman α intensity data acquired with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) implies an equatorially confined atmosphere with SO₂ column densities ∼ 1–2 × 10¹⁶ cm^-2. Poleward of 30° the SO₂ density must decrease sharply reaching an asymptotic polar value of < 10¹⁵ cm^-2 at 45° to achieve the observed 2 kR intensity peaks. The corresponding surface reflectivities must be either a constant 0.047 for higher equatorial SO₂ or a variable reflectivity of 0.027 with lower SO₂ densities at the equator increasing to a polar value of ∼ 0.05. The average residence time for an atmospheric SO₂ molecule is ∼ 2–3 days for the canonical mass loading rate of the Io plasma torus = 10³⁰ amu s^-1. With atomic hydrogen in the atmosphere and corona constrained by the HST observations, it is estimated that a pickup proton density ratio of 0.25–0.4% can be sustained by a supply of Io plasma torus protons neutralized in Io's atmosphere/exosphere, if protons constitute 7% of the total torus ion density, which is close to the Chust et al. (1999) pickup proton density ratio and under the widely quoted 10% proton content of the torus. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An Estimation of Spatial Variations of Magnetic Field and Superthermal Electron Distribution in cm-Radio Burst Sources

The paper presents a new method of the estimation of spatial variations of the magnetic field and superthermal electron distribution in solar cm-radio burst sources. The method is based on minimization of the difference between the theoretical and observed radio fluxes and on the analysis of several burst spectra recorded in different moments of time. Several solar cm-radio bursts are analyzed by this method. It is found that the measure of the spatial variations of the superthermal electron distribution in the radio source is always larger than that for the magnetic field.     

Spatial Distribution of Sources of Euv Emission: Correlation of Euv and Microwave Emission with Ca II K Plage

Using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images of the solar corona, we have carried out a region-by-region study of the association of coronal emission of Feix–Fexvi with Caii K plage areas and intensities reported in Solar-Geophysical Data. We find that emission is dependent on the area and brightness of the plage, with specific correlations varying with the temperature of formation of the emitting coronal ion. If confirmed and extended, this approach may provide a means of estimating coronal EUV levels associated with solar activity and ultimately a proxy method that is more accurate than the sole use of the centimetric radio flux for estimating the coronal component of solar EUV emission.     

最大熵与MP-CLEAN方法对扩展源图像重建的比较

在射电综合成像领域,通常需要用退卷积的方法补全频域稀疏的采样。由于扩展源的频域信息更为丰富,要补全这些信息相对于点源来说更难,因此扩展源的图像重建是射电综合成像领域的一大难点。为了探索射电干涉扩展源图像重建方法的特点,将最大熵与一种加速的CLEAN方法(文中称之为Multi-Point CLEAN,MP-CLEAN)对扩展源的干涉阵模拟数据的图像重建进行了比较。通过比较,发现对于同样的观测数据,两种方法都能较好地重建图像,但MP-CLEAN方法的旁瓣祛除效果与重建效果优于最大熵方法,而且在模拟数据重建中MP-CLEAN方法的总体速度比最大熵快3倍以上。最后,在讨论部分通过研究两种方法中参数的选择对重建结果的影响,发现最大熵方法比MP-CLEAN方法对参数选择的依赖性弱,这表明最大熵方法有更好的鲁棒性。     

Evidence for Chemical Heterogeneity in the Nucleus of C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp)

We present an analysis of OH, CN, and C₂ jets observed in thecoma of Comet Hale–Bopp on UT April 22, 23, and 25, 1997. Monte Carlomodels designed to simulate the gas jets were employed to analyze thenuclear active areas responsible for the observed coma gas jets. Ourresults indicate that four active areas are necessary to reproduce theCN and C₂ jets while five active areas are required to simulatethe OH jets. The additional OH active area must produce significantlevels of OH, but cannot emit measurable quantities of either carbonradical. This difference suggests that the nucleus of Comet Hale–Boppis chemically heterogeneous.     

The Unusual AGN Host NGC 1266: Evidence for Shocks in a Molecular Gas Rich S0 Galaxy with a Low Luminosity Nucleus

NGC 1266 is a lenticular galaxy(S0) hosting an active galactic nucleus(AGN), and known to contain a large amount of shocked gas. We compare the luminosity ratio of mid-J CO lines to IR continuum with star-forming galaxies(SFGs), and then model the CO spectral line energy distribution(SLED). We confirm that in the mid-and high-J regions(J_up= 4–13), the C-type shock(v_s= 25 km s^-1, n_H= 5 × 10⁴cm^-3) can reproduce the CO observations w...     

Emission from an Inhomogeneous Plasma: Line Intensities and Determination of Elemental Abundances in Gaseous Nebulae with Fluctuations of Te and ne

A method is proposed for determining the abundances of chemical elements in planetary nebulae based on allowance for the actual distribution functions of errors in measuring line intensities. Fluctuations both in temperature and in mass density of a nebula are taken into account in the proposed method. The results of a determination of C and O abundances and of the amplitudes of temperature and density fluctuations are given.     

X-ray Cavities in Galaxy Groups and Clusters: Central Gas Entropy Excess as Direct Evidence for AGN Feedback

Observations of X-ray jets and cavities in clusters of galaxies observed by Chandra are briefly reviewed. A recent study on the excess of central gas entropy, which can be considered as direct evidence for AGN feedback in galaxy groups and clusters is presented. An expanded account of this study has been presented in RAA (Wang et al. 2010).     

Interstellar Scintillation Studies of Pulsars and Distribution of Scattering Plasma in the Local Interstellar Medium

Pulsar scintillation measurements from the Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) are used to investigate the distribution of scattering in the Local Interstellar Medium (LISM; region of ≲ 1 kpc of the Sun), specifically the region in and around the Local Bubble. A 3-componentmodel, where the Solar neighborhood is surrounded by a shell of enhanced plasma turbulence, is proposed for the LISM. Further, the Ooty data, along with those from Parkes and other telescopes are used for investigating thedistribution of scattering towards the nearby Loop I Superbubble. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Use of Small Telescopes for Spectral Imaging of Low-light-level Extended Atmospheres in the Solar System

A 10-cm aperture telescope equipped with coronagraphic capabilities, using occulting masks of various size and material, has been developed to obtain low-light-level, wide-angle (~7^o FOV), narrow-band filtered images of sodium exospheres at Io, the Moon and Mercury. Here we describe new instrument capabilities and recent findings about the extraordinarily long tails of sodium gas discovered in the lunar and hermean exospheres. Spatial and temporal variability patterns captured in such images can be used to study changes in surface sputtering processes and radiation pressure acceleration effects in the inner solar system.     

Mars magnetic field: Sources and models for a quarter of the southern hemisphere

The heavily-cratered southern hemisphere of Mars encompasses the planet’s strongest, most widespread magnetization. Our study concentrates on this magnetized region in the southern hemisphere within 40° of latitude 40°S, longitude 180°W. First we rotate the coordinates to position the center at −40°, 180° and treat these new latitudes and longitudes as if they were Cartesian coordinates. Then, using an ordinary two-dimensional Fourier analysis for downward continuation, the MGS (MAG/ER) magnetic field data at satellite mapping elevation of ∼400 km are extrapolated to 100 km, sources are estimated and used to model the fields. Quantitative comparison of the downward continued field with the aerobraking field for bins having angular deviation within ±30° gives correlation of .947, .868, and .769 for the components, respectively. This agreement of the fields may result from most of the power in the magnetization resting in wavelengths ∼400 km, with comparatively little at ∼100 km. Over this region, covering nearly an octant of the planet, just a dozen sources can account for 94% of the variance of the magnetic field at the surface. In these models for the field an obvious asymmetry in polarity exists, with majority of the sources being positive. The locations of strongest surface magnetization appear to be near - but not actually within - ancient multi-ringed basins. We test the likelihood of this association by comparing the observed sources found within and near basins for two alternative basin location scenarios with random distributions. For both alternatives we find the observed distributions to be low-probability occurrences. If contemporaneous, this would establish that Mars’ magnetic field extended to the time of impacts causing these basins.     

第三代卫星导航定位系统星载原子钟的新发展

传统铷原子钟和铯原子钟已在卫星导航定位系统中作为星载原子钟获得重要应用.卫星导航定位系统的更新和新发展要求更高精度更小型的新型星载原子钟.该文介绍采用新物理原理和先进技术在下-代卫星导航定位系统有应用前景的新原子钟的产生和发展以及它们目前的进展.     

Status of the Connection between Unidentified Egret Sources and Supernova Remnants: The Case of Cta 1

In this paper we briefly comment on the observational status of the possible physical association between unidentified EGRET sources and supernova remnants (SNRs) in our Galaxy. We draw upon recent results presented in the review by Torres et al. (2003), concerning molecular gas in the vicinity of all 19 SNRs found to be positionally coincident with EGRET sources at low Galactic latitudes. In addition, we present new results regarding the supernova remnant CTA 1. Our findings disfavor the possibility of a physical connection with the nearby (in projection) EGRET source. There remains possible, however, that the compact object produced in the supernova explosion be related with the observed γ-ray flux.     

The Coma Morphology Due to an Extended Active Region and the Implications for the Spin State of Comet Hale-Bopp

We have compared the kinematics and metallicity of the main-sequence binary and single uvby F stars from the Hipparcos catalog to see if the populations of these stars originate from the same statistical ensemble. The velocity dispersions of the known unresolved binary F stars have been found to be dramatically smaller than those of the single F stars. This suggests that the population of these binaries is, in fact, younger than that of the single stars, which is further supported by the difference in metal abundance: the binaries turn out to be, on average, more metal rich than the single stars. So, we conclude that the population of these binaries is indeed younger than that of the single F stars. Comparison of the single F stars with the C binaries (binary candidates identified in Suchkov & McMaster) has shown, on the other hand, that the latter stars are, on average, older than the single F stars. We suggest that the age difference between the single F stars, known unresolved binaries, and C binaries is associated with the fact that stellar evolution in a binary systems depends on the binary components' mass ratio and separation, with these parameters being statistically very different for the known binaries and C binaries (e.g., mostly substellar secondaries in C binaries vs. stellar secondaries in known binaries). In general we conclude that the populations of known binaries, C binaries, and single F stars do not belong to the same statistical ensemble. The implications of the discovered age difference between these populations along with the corresponding differences in kinematics and metallicity should be important not only for understanding the evolution of stars but also for the history of star formation and the evolution of the local Galactic disk.     

Energy Distributions for Desorption of Sodium and Potassium from Ice: The Na/K Ratio at Europa

The sputtering and decomposition of the surface of Europa by fast ions and electrons lead to the production of an atomosphere containing sodium and potassium atoms. Here time-of-flight energy distributions are measured for Na and K sputtered from a vapor-deposited ice by 200-eV electrons. These data are then used in a Monte Carlo simulation for alkalis in Europa's atmosphere. Na/K ratios versus distance from Europa are calculated and compared to the recent observations in the range 6 to 18 Europan radii from the surface. Normalizing to the observations, the Na/K ratio for the loss rates is ∼27 and the ratio for the average surface source rates is ∼20. These ratios are very different from the Na/K ratio at Io and are larger than the Na/K ratio suggested for Europa's putative subsurface ocean, consistent with fractionation on freezing and upwelling of ocean material.     

The Creation of Outflowing Plasma in the Corona at Emerging Flux Regions: Comparing Observations and Simulations

In this paper we analyse the flux emergence that occurred in the following polarity area of an active region on 1 – 2 December 2006. Observations have revealed the existence of fast outflows at the edge of the emerging flux region. We have performed 3-D numerical simulations to study the mechanisms responsible for these flows. The results indicate that these outflows are reconnection jets or pressure-driven outflows, depending on the relative orientation of the magnetic fields in contact (i.e. the emerging flux and the active region’s field which is favourable for reconnection on the west side and nearly parallel with the pre-existing field on the east side of the emerging flux). In the observations, the flows are larger on the west side until late in the flux emergence, when the reverse is true. The simulations show that the flows are faster on the west side, but do not show the east flows increasing with time. There is an asymmetry in the expansion of the emerging flux region, which is also seen in the observations. The west side of the emerging flux region expands faster into the corona than the other side. In the simulations, efficient magnetic reconnection occurs on the west side, with new loops being created containing strong downflows that are clearly seen in the observations. On the other side, the simulations show strong compression as the dominant mechanism for the generation of flows. There is evidence of these flows in the observations, but the flows are stronger than the simulations predict at the later stages. There could be additional small-angle reconnection that adds to the flows from the compression, as well as reconnection occurring in larger loops that lie across the whole active region.     

The 8.2 ka event: Evidence for seasonal differences and the rate of climate change in western Europe

Recent studies have drawn attention to differences in the seasonal impact of the 8.2 ka event, with longer cooler summers and shorter cooler/drier winters. However, there are no data available on the simultaneity or the rate of onset of the seasonal changes in Europe. Based on the microfacies and geochemical analyses of seasonally laminated varved sediments from Holzmaar, we present evidence of differences in duration and onset time of changes in summer temperature and winter rainfall during the 8.2 ka event. Since both summer and winter climate signals are co-registered within a single varve, there can be no ambiguity about the phasing and duration of the signals. Our data show that the onset and withdrawal of the 8.2 ka summer cooling occurred within a year, and that summer rains were reduced or absent during the investigated period. The onset of cooler summers preceded the onset of winter dryness by ca. 28 years. In view of the differences in nature and duration of the impact of the 8.2 ka event we suggest that a clearer definition of the 8.2 ka event (summer cooling or winter cooling/dryness) needs to be developed. Based on regional comparison and available modelling studies we also discuss the roles of solar variability, changes in North Atlantic Thermohaline circulation, and North Atlantic Circulation (NAO) during the period under consideration. Wavelet analyses of seasonal laminae indicates that the longer NAO cycles, linked to changes in the N. Atlantic temperatures, were more frequent during the drier periods.