A new spectroscopic facility at millimetre wavelengths

A new millimeter-wave facility is in operation at the Bordeaux Observatory for spectroscopic observations of interstellar and stratospheric molecules. A cooled receiver has been installed on a 2·5m radio telescope. The overall system temperature is in the range 400 to 600 K (single side band) in the operating frequency range 75 to 115 GHz. The relatively broad beam of the telescope (∼ 5 arcmin) combined with a sensitive receiver will permit studies of extended molecular cloud complexes.     

射电天文及卫星测地中大气折射的改正及其精度

本文综述了电离层、对流层中电波折射引起的射电天文观测及卫星测地中的各种误差及各种改正方法和它们的精度。 对流层影响的主要改正方法是实测大气温度、压力等参数,用数学模型计算。电离层影响的改正目前有三种方法:一是实时测量电离层主要参数——电子总含量的变化,然后用数学模型方法改正。二是采用双频同时观测的手段来消除电离层折射的影响。三是采用自校准方法。文中还比较了两种不同的自校准方法——常规自校准方法和多余量自校准方法。     

The structure of integrated pulse profiles

We offer two possible explanations to account for the characteristics of integrated pulse profiles, in particular their degree of complexity, their variation from pulsar to pulsar, their stability, and the tendency of complex profiles to be associated with older pulsars. It is proposed that the pulse structure could be a reflection of surface irregularities at the polar caps, and it is shown how the surface relief can affect the number of positrons released into the magnetosphere which are subsequently responsible for the observed radio radiation. The electrons produced in the vacuum break-down in the gap carry enough energy to allow creating such a surface relief in ∼ 10⁶ years, and one way in which this could be achieved is discussed. Alternatively, the presence of multipole components in the magnetic fields of older pulsars could lead to significant variations in the curvature of the field lines across the gap, and hence to structure in the integrated pulse profiles. An assessment of the two hypotheses from observed pulse profiles seems to favour the polar cap relief picture. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Variations in the integral fluxes and structure of the radio source 3C120

The variability of the radio source 3C120 is studied using data from the international geodesic VLBI observation programs at 8.6 GHz and regular monitoring over frequencies of 4.8–36.8 GHz carried out at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine) and the Radio Astronomy Observatory of the University of Michigan (USA). A combined analysis of the integral fluxes and structures on millisecond scales reveals the existence of flares at high frequencies accompanied by the appearance of new VLBI components at centimeter wavelengths. It is found that the variations in the fluxes for 3C120 at various radio frequencies have delayed maxima at low frequencies, and the flare of 1998 was accompanied by the birth of a new superluminal component. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 325–334 (August 2007).     

Pulsating radio emission at decametre wavelengths from the sun

Observations on the pulsation pattern in the time profile of short duration solar radio bursts at decametre wavelengths are presented. The pulsations are found to be present predominantly in the saturation phase of the burst. A tentative physical model based on the non-linear development of the waves interacting in a turbulent medium is invoked to explain the origin of the pulsations.     

Study of the optical variability of T Tau in the period 1962–2003

We present the results of our long-term U BV R observations of the star T Tauri performed at Mt. Maidanak Observatory from 1986 until 2003. These data, together with previous photoelectric observations of other authors, suggest that the long-term variations of the light curve are not periodic, but have a cycle with a time scale of 6–9 yr. The light curve also exhibits slower variations with time scales of ～30–40 yr. We confirm the existence of periodic brightness variations with a period of \(P = 2\mathop .\limits^d 798\) over many years; this process is peculiar in that the phase and shape of the phase curve change from season to season. We analyze the color behavior of the star. We found evidence of a strong flare occurred on October 5, 1999, when the brightness of the star reached \(9\mathop .\limits^m 22\). This is the strongest flare recorded during its photoelectric observations.     

Further VLA observations of hydrogen deficient stars

VLA observations at 6 cm have been obtained for three hydrogen-deficient objects υ Sgr, V 348 Sgr, and A bell 58. A bell 58 was also observed at 2 cm. Only upper limits to the flux density could be set for these sources. A new radio source at 6 cm was found in the field of υ Sgr. The upper limit for 6 cm flux density of V348 Sgr sets an upper limit to its reddening asE(B–V) ≤ 0.65. The hydrogen deficient planetary nebula A 58 shows much lower radio flux than expected from the infrared-radio flux density relationship of planetary nebulae. National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Very Large Array is operated by Associated Universities Inc. under contract with National Science Foundation, USA.     

An analysis of the orbital periods of some eclipsing binaries suspected to be in the pre-main sequence contraction phase of evolution

An analysis of the available photoelectric times of minima of KO Aql, TV Cas and Z Her, which are suspected to be in pre-main sequence phase of evolution, reveals that KO Aql shows a secular increase in its orbital period at the rate of 4·34 × 10⁻⁸ day per cycle while the period of TV Cas has been decreasing at the rate of 4·08 × 10⁻⁹ day per cycle. Z Her does not show any period change at all. The orbital period of any binary system which is in the pre-main sequence phase will be systematically affected because of ′ shrinking′ dimensions of the components. A simple formula for the characteristic period change, defined by (P/P), is derived from a consideration of the conservation of total energy and total angular momentum for a binary system whose components are still in the process of contraction or expansion. The derived formula is applied to the above systems to see whether theoretical characteristic period changes agree with the observed values. The systems are assumed to evolve independently in the pre-main sequence phase in accordance with the model calculations of Iben (1965). It is found that there is no agreement between theoretical and observed characteristic period changes. This suggests that KO Aql and TV Cas may not be in the pre-main sequence phase. We do not have sufficient data for Z Her to judge its evolutionary status by the present procedure; this is also true of TT Hya. We suspect that the period changes observed in KO Aql and TV Cas may be due to light-time effect.     

Dark spots,bubbles, and shells in the lobes of extragalactic radio sources

Based on maps of the extragalactic radio sources Cyg A, Her A, Cen A, 3C 277.3 and others, arguments are given that the twin-jets from the respective active galactic nucleus ram their channels repeatedly through thin, massive shells. The jets are thereby temporarily choked and blow radio bubbles. Warm shell matter in the cocoon shows up radio-dark through electron-scattering.     

Peculiarities of the plasma mechanism of radio emission from late-type stars

The plasma mechanism of radio emission in the coronas of late-type stars is shown to be considerably more efficient than that in the solar corona because of the high plasma temperature in their magnetic arches. This is attributable to an increase in the length of plasma-wave conversion into electromagnetic waves and a decrease in the optical depth of collisional wave absorption. Magnetic-arch filamentation results in a decrease in the intensity of the fundamental-tone radio emission and in the relative dominance of the second-harmonic radio emission. The efficiency of the fundamental-tone radio emission increases with plasma density in a coronal arch. The plasma mechanism accounts for the high brightness temperature of the flare radio emission from stars (≥10¹⁴ K).     

Radio emission from AXP and XDINS

The result of the search for, and the observations of radio emission from two groups of isolated neutron stars: AXP 1E 2259+586 and XDINS 1RXS J1308.6+212708 and 1RXS J214303.7+065419 are reported. The observations were carried out on two sensitive transit radio telescopes at a few frequencies in the range 42–112 MHz. The flux densities, mean pulse profiles, as well as, the estimation of the dispersion measures, distances and integrated radio luminosities of all objects are presented. Comparison with X-ray data shows large differences in the mean pulse widths and luminosities.      

Extragalactic sources with one-sided radio structure

A list has been compiled of 49 extragalactic sources, most of them identified with quasars, that appear to have a one-sided (D₂ type) radio structure characterized by a single outer component displaced from a compact central (nuclear) component coincident with the optical object. The observed properties of a subsample of 28 D₂ quasars that have an overall angular size larger than 5 arcsec are briefly discussed and compared with those of normal (D1 type) double quasars. It is found that the central components in most D₂ sources account for more than half the total flux density at high frequencies in contrast to the D₁ quasars which generally have less than 20 per cent of their total flux density in a central component. This makes it very unlikely that D₂ sources are just those D1s in which there is a large intrinsic difference in the flux densities or separations of the two outer components. The observed properties of D₂ sources are easier to understand in the relativistic beaming interpretation in which their axes are inclined at smaller angles with the line of sight compared to D₁ sources.     

Very high energy gamma rays from the crab pulsar

The Ooty data on VHE (> 600 GeV) γ-rays from the Crab pulsar have been used to look at possible emission on three different timescales,viz. years, minutes and hours. When averaged over three years of observation, there is no significant time-averaged emission. But interesting aspects are revealed when the data are subdivided into miniruns of one-minute duration. Minutes with moderate γ-ray activity were isolated with a κ² analysis. The summed phasogram of such minutes shows two strong peaks coinciding with the radio main pulse and the interpulse respectively. The probability that these are due to chance is small. The phasogram has a bimodal distribution which indicates some emission from the middle region between the two phases. In general, there is no significant emission on the timescale of a few hours. However, the main pulse, as well as the bimodal distribution, were seen also in the total data of two nights of simultaneous observation at two sites during 1984–1985.     

Thick radio shell in supernova remnant DA 495 (G 65.7+ 1.2)?

High resolution (11.7 to 64 arcsec) multifrequency radio observations of DA 495 (G 65.7 +1.2) at 20, 49 and 92 cm wavelengths with the VLA, WSRT and OSRT are presented. A map of infrared emission in the surrounding region is also presented. Although the remnant has a minimum near the centre, its brightness distribution does not show limb brightening. Hence it has characteristics of both shell-type SNRs and Crab-type SNR. Alternatively it has an unusually thick shell with inner and outer radii of 125 and 500 arcsec respectively. The volume emissivity within the shell decreases radially outward. Its integrated flux density spectrum is characteristic of a shell-type remnant. The role of the reverse shock in the formation of a thick shell is discussed. The association of the open star cluster NGC6834 with DA 495 is also noted. The parameters of twenty-nine small diameter sources detected around DA 495 are also presented. The radio source 1949 + 291 is associated with an IRAS source. 1948 + 292 may be a Crablike pulsar-driven synchrotron nebula. The radio spectrum of the planetary nebula NGC 6842 is optically thick at 49 cm.     

Hydrodynamic processes of angular momentum transport in the interior of a rotating massive hydrogen-burning star

The evolution of a rotating star with a mass of 16M _⊙ at the hydrogen burning phase is considered together with the hydrodynamic processes of angular momentum transport in its interior. Shear turbulence is shown to limit the amplitude of the latitudinal variations in mean molecular weight on a surface of constant pressure in a layer with variable chemical composition. The resulting nonuniformity in the mean molecular weight distribution and the turbulent energy transport along the surface of constant pressure reduce the absolute value of the meridional circulation velocity. Nevertheless, meridional circulation remains the main mechanism of angular momentum transport in the radial direction in a layer with variable chemical composition. The intensity of the processes of angular momentum transport by meridional circulation and shear turbulence is determined by the angular momentum of the star. At a fairly high angular momentum, more specifically, at J = 3.69 × 10⁵² g cm² s^?1, the star during the second half of the hydrogen-burning phase in its convective core has characteristics typical of classical early Be stars.     

Wind variations in Jupiter's equatorial atmosphere: A QQO counterpart?

Jupiter's equatorial atmosphere, much like the Earth's, is known to show quasi-periodic variations in temperature, particularly in the stratosphere, but variations in other jovian atmospheric tracers have not been studied for any correlations to these oscillations. Data taken at NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) from 1979 to 2000 were used to obtain temperatures at two levels in the atmosphere, corresponding to the upper troposphere (250 mbar) and to the stratosphere (20 mbar). We find that the data show periodic signals at latitudes corresponding to the troposphere zonal wind jets, with periods ranging from 4.4 (stratosphere, 95% confidence at 4° S planetographic latitude) to 7.7 years (troposphere, 97% confidence at 6° N). We also discuss evidence that at some latitudes the troposphere temperature variations are out of phase from the stratosphere variations, even where no periodicity is evident. Hubble Space Telescope images were used, in conjunction with Voyager and Cassini data, to track small changes in the troposphere zonal winds from 20° N to 20° S latitude over the 1994-2000 time period. Oscillations with a period of 4.5 years are found near 7°-8° S, with 80-85% significance. Further, the strongest evidence for a QQO-induced tropospheric wind change tied to stratospheric temperature change occurs near these latitudes, though tropospheric temperatures show little periodicity here. Comparison of thermal winds and measured zonal winds for three dates indicate that cloud features at other latitudes are likely tracked at pressures that can vary by up to a few hundred millibar, but the cloud altitude change required is too large to explain the wind changes measured at 7° S.     

反常折射引起的地面天文观测残差的周年变化

我国光学天文观测有相当长历史，观测精度也较高，但是与国际系统相比。无论是测时还是测纬，所有仪器残差都有类似的周年变化，本文作者认为部分原因是由于我国季节变化引起的大气等密度层倾斜，从而产生的反常折射所引起的，文中对反常折射的规律进行了研究，导出了由于气象参数变化而引起的反常折射公式，并与测时，测纬的残差周年项进行了对比，结果表明用反常折射可以部分地解释我国天文观测残差的周年变化。     

测定天文大气折射和建立电磁波折射延迟实测模型(Ⅰ)-观测原理和可行性

简述了天文大气折射和电磁波中性大气折射延迟的成因,以及不同观测站、不同方位的折射值存在差异的事实;根据测定瞬时天文大气折射、建立本地实测模型的观测原理和要求,分析了长期以来不能直接测定天文大气折射的几个主要障碍,介绍了现已具备的排除这些障碍的必要条件,为建立天文大气折射实测模型,和随观测站、随方位而异的电磁波折射延迟改正模型提供了保证。     

Mass—luminosity relation and pulsational properties of Wolf—Rayet stars

The evolution of Population I stars with initial masses 70M _⊙ ≤ M _ZAMS ≤ 130M _⊙ is considered. The computations were performed under various assumptions about the mass loss rate and were terminated at the phase of gravitational contraction after core helium exhaustion. The mass loss rate at the helium burning phase, ?_3α , is shown to be the main parameter that determines the coefficients of the mass—luminosity relation for Wolf—Rayet stars. Several more accurate mass—luminosity relations for mass loss rates ? = f _3α ?_3α , where 0.5 ≤ f _3α ≤ 3, are suggested, along with the mass—luminosity relation that combines all of the evolutionary sequences considered. The results of the stellar evolution computations were used as initial conditions in solving the hydrodynamic equations describing the spherically symmetric motions of a self-gravitating gas. The outer layers of massive Population I stars are unstable against radial oscillations throughout the helium burning phase. The oscillation amplitude is largest at enhanced carbon and oxygen abundances in the outer stellar layers, i.e., at a lower initial stellar mass M _ZAMS or a lower mass loss rate during the entire preceding evolution. In the course of evolution, the radial oscillation amplitude decreases and the small nonlinearity of the oscillations at M < 10M _⊙ allow the integral of mechanical work W done by an elementary spherical layer of gas in a closed thermodynamic cycle to be calculated with the necessary accuracy. The maximum of the radial dependence of W is shown to be located in layers with a gas temperature T ～ 2 × 10⁵ K, where the oscillations are excited by the iron Z-bump κ-mechanism. Comparison of the radial dependences of the integral of mechanical work W and the amplitude of the radiative flux variations suggests that the nonlinear radial oscillations of more massive Wolf—Rayet stars are also excited by the κ-mechanism.     

Seasonal change in the deep atmosphere of Uranus

We present high-resolution radio maps of Uranus, made from data collected in 1994 at wavelengths of 2 and 6 cm, which show large-scale changes occurring deep and rapidly in the troposphere. Brightness features in these maps are significantly different from those observed throughout the 1980's. These differences are not due to the changing viewing geometry, but result from atmospheric changes in the 5 to 50 bar region. All the observations show strong latitudinal variations in absorber abundance and/or temperature, causing the South Pole to appear brighter than lower latitudes. The transition between bright pole and darker latitudes is always near −45°, but between 1989 and 1994 the contrast between the regions increased significantly. This suggests that the large-scale circulation in the upper 50 bars of the uranian Southern Hemisphere changed. Older, disk-averaged microwave observations have suggested that seasonal variability occurs, but these new maps are the first to provide detailed timing and location information which can be used to test dynamical models.